Support Services Specialist

Summary This position is located in the General Services Division, Office of the Executive Director, Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA/EX/GSD). GSD provides general administrative support to the Bureau including provision of contractual services, procurement of goods and services, building and property related matters (including telephones, locks, construction, etc.), supplies and equipment, asset management (i.e.,inventory), domestic emergency planning, and records management. Responsibilities Plans and coordinates procurement activities that enable the Agency to obtain a wide variety of supplies and services needed to meet defined Agency requirements including specialized supplies and equipment and construction services. Reviews assigned requests for contracts and purchase orders to ensure compliance with Federal procurement regulations and established policies and standards including contracts and orders for single items, lease to purchase options, etc. Assists program officials during the initiation and execution of annual budgets and financial plans to ensure that planned expenditures for telephones, furniture, construction/renovation/maintenance, and other support services are properly funded. Ensures that all newly acquired property is properly bar-coded and entered into the proper system. In cooperation with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, coordinates efforts to ensure that a high level of physical security and personal safety is maintained in all CA occupied buildings and offices. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F. Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service which provided you with knowledge of the methods and procedures for providing or performing a variety of functions and services applicable to the position to be filled; ability to plan, organize, and control work involving diverse activities; ability to gain cooperation and coordinate the work of others; and skill in oral and written communication. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Management analyst or technician or other work that included study, analysis, or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of managerial or administrative policies, practices, and procedures. Administrative officer or assistant, budget administration, program analysis, or other work that demonstrated knowledge of an organization and its functions, and the ways in which support services can facilitate the work of the organization. Office management experience that included responsibility for directing a variety of support services such as typing, mail processing, purchase of supplies and equipment, etc. Secretarial work that required monitoring and coordinating administrative and processing work of subordinate elements through a system of internal procedures, controls, production, progress reporting, etc., to insure the efficient operation of an organization. Military experience that included responsibility for directing a variety of support functions such as communications, property management, mail service, facilities and equipment maintenance, etc. In addition, qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: · Experience assessing existing and new support services programs to determine how best they can be implemented; · Experience in procurement, space management, printing, records management, contractor administration, property and facility management, customer service and supply chain management; · Experience in developing cost estimates, and financial plans for cost associated with the procurement of furniture, equipment, and supplies; and · Experience managing security accounts, controls the receipt, storage, shipment, and destruction of all materials issued to custodian accounts, and maintains accurate and up-to-date accounting records to reflect all transactions. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 position. Education Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement. Additional Information To request a reasonable accommodation for additional time on the timed sections of the assessment, please submit your request using the “Request a Reasonable Accommodation” button within the Assessment Application. For all other reasonable accommodations at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) at View email address on click.appcast.io. OAA is responsible for reviewing and adjudicating reasonable accommodation (RA) requests for the Assessment Battery being used for this announcement. The following applies to all RA requests: RA requests cover additional time on timed sections only. Applicants submitting a RA request MUST attach supporting medical documentation signed by a licensed, treating medical provider. The documentation should describe the nature, severity, and expected duration of the condition, identify the relevant medical condition or diagnosis, and explain the basis for the requested extension. RA requests that do not contain supporting medical documentation attachments at the time of initial request may be subject to further review. Note: the following documents do not, on their own, qualify for automatic approval of the RA request: Schedule A letters, VA benefits letters, or SSA letters. Applicants MUST submit their application before the vacancy closes, even if pending an accommodation decision. Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow instructions related to medical documentation provided in the vacancy announcement prior to beginning the RA process. Applicants will have 48 hours after their RA request is adjudicated to complete the assessment battery. Scores generated after the allotted timeframe will not be admissible and the applicant will not be considered further for the vacancy. If a different type of RA is needed, please contact OAA directly at View email address on click.appcast.io. If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in this Bureau for up to 240 days and may require a higher or lower security clearance. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): View OPM's CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration. To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position.