Program Support Specialist

Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates, Merit Promotion, Current Federal Employees, Former Federal Employees, Overseas Employees, Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, VEOA, 30% Disabled, Schedule A, Individuals with Disabilities, Military Spouses, Land and Base Management, Peace Corps, Americorps, Vista

This position is located in the Office of the Secretary, Hearings and Information Division.

As a Program Support Specialist, your assignments will include: organizing and maintaining official records for the organization; reviewing, processing, and distributing incoming correspondence, requests, and other official Commission mail; processing Commission notices; creating and maintaining office memoranda and correspondence tracking systems; processing surety bonds submitted in section 337 investigations; and tracking, ordering, and maintaining office supplies; Ensures compliance with all requirements for gaining access to and handling confidential business/business proprietary information; prepares responses to requests for confidential treatment, as well as responses to requests for information; and submits pertinent investigative documents to EDIS (Electronic Document Information System) for incorporation in the official record. Provides assistance in handling the logistical arrangements for hearings and meetings, including drafting pertinent documents and support in conducting Commission hearings, conferences, and votes; and provides administrative support to the FOIA program as well as all other programs in the Hearings and Information Division.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period
• You are required to register for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/03/59
• You will be required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check
• You must be able to obtain/maintain a Secret Security Clearance

Qualifications

You must meet all the requirements below by the closing date of the announcement and they must be clearly identified in your application, resume, or supporting documents. This includes any general and specialized experience, education, and/or selective placement factors mentioned. These are used to determine if you possess the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to successfully perform in this position.

BASIC REQUIREMENT

To qualify at the GS-09 level, yyou must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level or comparable pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector which has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skill, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Typically we would find this experience in administrative office work such as: demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the use of EDIS or a similar electronic docketing system; preparing Federal Register notices or similar documents for publication; processing surety bonds submitted in investigative proceedings; answering general inquiries from customers regarding the work of an office; keeping senior staff informed on the status of items; answering questions on the procedures and/or functions of an organization; exercising discretion and use of tact and diplomacy in accomplishing work; preparing a variety of correspondence which required formatting, editing, and ensuring proper punctuation and grammar; preparing reports using advanced computer software, such as spreadsheets, Power Point presentations, importing graphics into text, adding boxed explanatory text to graphics, etc.; organizing and maintaining record systems, including automated tracking systems; and preparing draft documents with attention to detail, including drafts based on verbal instructions and drafts based on examples. At this level, your work must have been accomplished independently, with responsibility forproposing solutions to problems. Your resume must clearly document this experience.

OR

GS-9 level, you may qualify using one of the following options:

• 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

To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or comparable pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector which has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skill, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Typically we would find this experience in administrative office work such as: demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the use of EDIS or a similar electronic docketing system; preparing Federal Register notices or similar documents for publication; processing surety bonds submitted in investigative proceedings; answering a variety of inquiries from customers regarding the work of an office, which required researching the status of items, procedures and/or functions of an organization; exercising discretion and use of tact and diplomacy in accomplishing work; preparing a variety of correspondence which require formatting, editing, and ensuring proper punctuation and grammar; preparing reports using advanced computer software, such as spreadsheets, Power Point presentations, importing graphics into text, adding boxed explanatory text to graphics, etc.; organizing and maintaining record systems, including automated tracking systems; and, multi-tasking including responsibility for a variety of topics and issues. At this level, your work must have been accomplished independently, and required the development of procedures, guides and/or templates in accomplishing work. Your resume must clearly document this 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The self-assessment questions are related to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies (KSA's). You do not have to respond to the KSA's.

• Skill in Information Technology
• Administrative Skills
• Skill in Communication
• Knowledge of Electronic Document Information Systems

BASIS OF RATING: The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. All qualified Non-Competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR § 335.103(b)(3).

Your experience is also evaluated using an assessment questionnaire, which is available at the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12990788

To receive consideration, you must complete the self-assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified below by

1. Resume: Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) as it relates to this job opportunity. In order to fully evaluate your application and receive proper credit, your resume should include: (1) paid and non-paid experience, job title, dates held (month and year for qualifying purposes to receive credit), number of hours worked per week, and salary (2) knowledge of the subject matter and technical skills pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work; and (4) names and phone numbers of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying.

2. Self-assessment questionnaire: A completed job-specific questionnaire should be submitted through your Application Manager account.

3. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles.
You must submit the following documents:

• a copy of your agency notice;
• a copy of your most recent performance rating; and
• a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location

4. Cover Letter. This is optional.

5. Special hiring authority applicants.If you are applying under the special appointing authority such as those authorized for the severely disabled (Schedule A) or Vietnam era and disabled veterans (VRA), you will be asked to submit documents showing eligibility to non-competitively apply under Merit Assignment announcements. Please indicate the type of special appointment you are seeking on your application. For more info on non-competitive appointments and supporting documents, please visit Federal Employment of People with Disabilities or Feds Hire Vets - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans.

6. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation: Must submit their Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service,

7. 30% Disabled Veterans must submit their Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service, and VA Disability Letter with percentage of disability OR documentation of disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more

8. SF-50. Current and former federal employees must submit a copy of an SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action," which documents your highest permanent grade/step/salary held. Award SF-50s typically don't contain your grade/step/salary.

9. Due Weight: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award 24 | Merit Promotion & Staffing Policy Personnel Handbook documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

10. Performance Appraisal. If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal dated within 18 months. If you do not have one, you must submit a statement.

11. Transcripts:(for Individual Occupational Requirements and/or Substitution of Education for specialized experience): You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts for verification of the education requirements. Unofficial copies are acceptable, however, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the above educational requirements. Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration.

Next steps