Program Specialist

Department of State Headquarters • Washington, DC

10d

About The Position

This position is located in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States (WHA/USOAS). The Program Specialist provides administrative and program oversight support for activities between the United States and the OAS, working with WHA/EX and other offices to meet the Mission’s logistical, managerial, and human resource needs. The incumbent also serves as the Mission’s protocol officer and supports day-to-day operations.

The GS-12 position performs essentially the same duties as the GS-13 position, but under closer supervision and with a decreased level of complexity.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Subject to random drug testing.
• Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to meet time-in-grade requirements.
• For GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 in the Federal service, including assisting with administrative and program support in one or more functional areas; assisting with planning and coordinating programs, projects, or events involving several stakeholders; and coordinating with staff at various levels, including senior officials, to support organizational goals in accordance with policies and regulations.
• For GS-13: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 in the Federal service, including providing administrative and program support across several functional areas; managing complex programs, projects, or events from planning through completion; and working with senior officials and multiple stakeholders to meet organizational goals in compliance with applicable policies and regulations.
• There is no education substitution for the specialized experience requirement at either GS-12 or GS-13.

Responsibilities

• Develop, analyze, and evaluate work methods and procedures to improve staffing use, work distribution, management controls, and information and documentation systems.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the OAS protocol office and help develop and implement the Mission’s protocol policy.
• Provide expert recommendations to the Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission on protocol-related operational and policy issues.
• Develop administrative regulations or guidelines for internal program operations and new criteria for measuring program results.
• Oversee office spending, equipment, supplies, travel requests, vouchers, and the representational budget.
• Advise Mission staff on travel regulations, process vouchers for senior officials, and review quarterly budget reports to analyze spending.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed