Summary
NIST is seeking an Operations Administrator to support critical division operations through financial analysis, acquisitions, human resources, travel, agreements, and administrative services. This role advises leadership, evaluates business processes, analyzes program data, and recommends improvements that strengthen operational efficiency and support mission success.
This job is open to
Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Clarification from the agency
Status Candidates ONLY
Duties
NIST's Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) sets the definitive U.S. standards for nearly every kind of measurement employed in commerce and research, sometimes across more than 20 orders of magnitude. This position is in PML's Quantum Sensors Division, whose mission is to provide the metrological foundation for emerging electronic, magnetic, and photonic technologies by developing high-precision measurement devices, systems, standards, and methodologies and applying them to address national needs.
If hired as the Operations Administrator, you will:
- Plan and execute administrative and operational activities that support the division's short- and long-term goals.
- Coordinate human resources, acquisitions, travel, agreements, and other administrative actions in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
- Analyze program and financial data using automated systems and tools to support reporting, resource planning, and management decisions.
- Evaluate business processes and recommend improvements that enhance division operations and efficiency.
- Advise division leadership on administrative and financial matters and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. citizenship
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Suitable for Federal employment
- Must meet time-in-grade/band requirements, as applicable
- Bargaining Unit Position: No
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for this position, applicants must possess ONE of the following:
- One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level (ZA-I at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as ALL of the following:
- Experience with federal procurement in 2 or more areas, for example credit cards, purchase orders, equipment purchases, or reconciliation.
- Experience ensuring administrative activities comply with established policies and procedures.
- Experience maintaining program materials, files, and/or relevant documents to ensure compliance.
- OR: Master's or equivalent graduate degree
- OR: 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree
- OR: LL.B. or J.D., if related
- OR: Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards
Handbook.
If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site:
Section 14: Reconsideration of Qualification Determinations | NIST
Education
This position allows applicants to qualify with education. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.
Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with a course-by-course listing) is required with your application.
Additional information
This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!
- We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
- Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
- You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
- All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
- A probationary period may be required.
NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers
website.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Please prepare a resume that is no longer than two pages; only the first two pages will be considered during the review process. Ensure your font is 11 points or larger and upload your resume as a .pdf document. This helps ensure your formatting looks exactly the way you intended.
How you will be evaluated: You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
Rating: Applications will be assessed on the following competencies:
- Administration and Management
- Customer Service
- Decision Making
- Technology Application
Structured Resume Review. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will review ONLY two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume. Applicants passing the structured resume review will move to the next phase of the assessment process.
Referral: Qualified candidates are referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. You will be referred depending upon your eligibility (i.e., Merit candidate, veterans preference, etc). Please review the
Section 8: Hiring Paths at NIST | NIST on how applicants are review and referred based upon how they wish to be considered for the position.
CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority -
CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility
Required Documents
The documents required vary based on how you're applying (i.e., as a veteran or disabled veteran, current or former Federal employee, etc.). Please review the Required Documents for this position to find out if there are any documents required with your application. Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
A complete application includes: 1) A resume (not to exceed two pages), 2) vacancy question responses regarding technical qualifications, and 3) submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, or if the documents submitted are illegible you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
Resume: All applicants must submit a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their choosing. Please prepare a resume no longer than 2 pages; only the first 2 pages will be considered during the review process. Ensure your font is 11 points or larger and upload your resume as a .pdf document. This helps ensure your formatting looks exactly the way you intended. Cover letters are optional. To receive any credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and the number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest you review the qualification requirements for this position as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports the position qualifications. Please refer to the Resume Guidance on how to build an effective resume.
Reinstatement: If you are a former federal employee who has been separated from Federal service for at least one year and are seeking noncompetitive reinstatement to a position with a higher grade or full performance level than the position you held when you left Federal service, you MUST provide:
- A copy of your separation SF-50 showing a "1" in the "Position Occupied" block and a "1" or "2" in the "Tenure" block; AND
- Your most recent performance appraisal from your Federal employment showing a rating of at least Fully Successful.
How to Apply
Click 'Apply' and we'll walk you through a multi-step process to attach a resume and any required documents. While working an application, you may review, edit, delete and update information. You must complete the online application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the closing date of the announcement.
Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The Human Resources Office will evaluate your application to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
Need help applying?
- If you are experiencing any difficulties with the online application process (anything after you have clicked the 'Apply Online' button), please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement between regular business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET). If you receive any kind of error message, please be ready to provide a screenshot or, at a minimum, the error message text and number. We will provide you with a technical support number for further assistance if necessary.
- If you are having trouble with USAJOBS (searching for jobs, account password/profile issues, or Resume Builder), please visit the USAJOBS USAJOBS Help Center - How to... We regret that we are unable to support any issues with USAJOBS, as this service is not maintained by the NIST.
- If you are experiencing a significant hardship that hinders your ability to apply online, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement prior to the vacancy closing date and during regular business hours to discuss your situation.
Next steps
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: USAJOBS Help Center - How to see your application and job status.
We will update applicant statuses when:
- A qualification determination is made. If found not qualified/eligible, no additional updates will be provided.
- Applications are referred to the selecting official.
- A selection decision has been made.
Please notify us if your contact information changes after the announcement's closing date. Also, note that if you provide an inaccurate email address or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication, which could affect your consideration for this position.