Program Support Assistant (OA)

Agricultural Research Service • Grand Forks, ND

2d

About The Position

These positions are in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Field Organization, Plains Area, Integrated Cropping Systems Research Unit/Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, with locations in Brookings, South Dakota, and Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Program Support Assistant provides administrative support by coordinating daily operations, managing records and business processes, and assisting with budgeting, travel, procurement, personnel actions, and research documentation.

The role processes routine project coordination, travel documentation, budget tracking, procurement, agreements, and human resources administrative tasks through automated workflow tools. It supports annual resource and financial planning and reporting, processes administrative transactions, prepares travel authorizations and vouchers, and serves as the work unit’s principal timekeeper. It also coordinates research documentation, maintains project files, advises on procedural and documentation requirements, and manages calendars, correspondence, and filing systems.

The work is essentially sedentary, with some walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items. The work environment is a typical office or similar setting with normal safety precautions. The positions are bargaining-unit positions represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). Flexible work arrangements may be available, subject to agency policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized at the hiring official’s discretion.

Requirements

• For GS-06: One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05, directly related to the position, including routine program and administrative support such as preparing travel or project documentation, maintaining administrative or research records, and processing financial, procurement, personnel, or agreement actions using established procedures.
• For GS-07: One year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06, directly related to the position, including independently performing complex program and administrative support; coordinating research or administrative projects; analyzing and verifying financial or personnel data; preparing and processing travel or procurement actions; and managing research or program documentation that requires interpreting guidelines and applying judgment to resolve issues.
• Ability to type 40 words per minute.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must pass satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Must use direct deposit for federal payments.
• Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period unless prior federal service is creditable; continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the announcement’s closing date.

Responsibilities

• Process routine project coordination, travel documentation, budget tracking, procurement, agreements, and HR-related administrative tasks using automated workflow tools.
• Assist in developing annual resource or financial plans by compiling routine financial data and preparing reports in electronic planning tools.
• Compile personnel, financial, and resource data for annual reporting requirements.
• Process financial, procurement, agreement, property, and personnel transactions in automated business or office systems.
• Prepare travel authorizations and vouchers using automated travel management systems.
• Serve as principal timekeeper for the work unit, reviewing employees’ time and attendance logs for completeness and accuracy.
• Coordinate research documentation and maintain project files using electronic documentation or research-tracking systems.
• Notify researchers of documentation deadlines, updates, and required submissions.
• Assist with preparing and submitting project materials through automated reporting or review systems.
• Advise on procedural and documentation requirements for research plans, progress reports, research proposals, manuscripts, travel, grants, and agreements.
• Maintain calendars, leave schedules, electronic documents, and correspondence logs using standard office software and digital tools.
• Produce documents in the correct format with accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Maintain and revise physical and electronic filing systems for administrative and research documentation.
• Log, route, and track incoming correspondence and action items to ensure timely follow-up.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized, subject to the hiring official’s final determination.
• Flexible work arrangements may be available as determined by agency policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

What This Job Offers

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