KEY REQUIREMENTS



• Background investigation
• US citizenship
• Preview questions at bottom of Qualifications & Evaluations --see tab above

As a Program Assistant, you will: Play a key role in the processes involved in all grants and cooperative agreements including soliciting and evaluating proposals, awarding funds, monitoring the status of grants and cooperative agreements, tracking budgets, and preparing a variety of reports. Work with a variety of automated systems to enter information about grant proposals, to forward information to reviewers electronically, and to facilitate panel review meetings. Coordinate the logistics for meetings and conferences of scientific panelists. Provide administrative support to staff including handling travel arrangements. Help process grants that are keeping the United States at the leading edge of scientific discovery! Program Assistants work on the front-line supporting the National Science Foundation's efforts to promote and fund the best possible awards through grants, cooperative agreements, and other mechanisms. If you are customer oriented, enjoy working on a variety of automated systems, are organized, and have great communication skills, working as a Program Assistant is the right job for you! The National Science Foundation anticipates multiple openings for these positions.

To qualify at GS-5 level you need to have one of the following: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include the following: using word processing software to prepare correspondence; responding to routine non-technical inquiries; or other clerical or office support functions. OR Successfully completed four full years of education above high school level. OR Possess a combination of post-high school education and specialized experience. To qualify for the GS-6 level you need to have: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include the following: using word processing software to prepare correspondence, reports and other documents; tracking pending actions to ensure timely completion of work assignments; coordinating and making travel arrangements; responding to routine non-technical inquiries; and coordinating and handling logistical support for meetings. To qualify for the GS-7 level you need to have: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include the following: interpreting and applying regulations, policies, and procedures to perform a variety of administrative support duties; developing and maintaining spreadsheets and other financial records; developing work tracking systems to ensure timely completion of work assignments; coordinating and making travel arrangements; and composing/typing reports in final. At all grade levels you must be able to type at least 40 words per minute with no more than 3 errors.

Education may be substituted for experience as described in "Qualifications."

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date. You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire. All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position. This position is in the bargaining unit.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Ratings will be assigned based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire. In some cases, additional assessment processes may be used. Review your resume and responses carefully. Responses that are not fully supported by the information in your application package may result in adjustments to your score. A Human Resources Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the selecting official. Applicants eligible for selection preference under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) must meet the agency definition of "well qualified." At NSF, this means a score of 90.0 or higher. In the merit promotion selection process, due weight will be given to incentive awards and performance appraisals.
To preview questions please click here.

A GREAT LOCATION! The National Science Foundation is conveniently located one from the Ballston Metro Station, a few blocks from Routes 66 and 50, and about three miles from downtown Washington. Employees may rent parking spaces in the building garage. There are many shops and restaurants within easy walking distance. Eligible employees receive: 10 paid holidays per year 13-26 days paid annual (vacation) leave per year 13 days paid sick leave per year Pre-tax parking Public transportation subsidy Child Development Center on site Child care subsidy Flexible working hours Telecommuting Physical Fitness Facility on site NSF Federal Credit Union on site Health Services Unit on site Employee Assistance Program

OTHER INFORMATION:

Relocation expenses will not be paid. For additional information on the NSF eRecruit system, please visit our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide. This announcement may be used to fill like positions in any organization within the National Science Foundation.

Your application should be submitted online and must be completed and all required documents successfully faxed (or uploaded) before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date. Since referrals may occur prior to the closing date, we urge you to submit all required documents as soon as possible; you cannot be referred until you have a filed a complete application which includes the required documents. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. For more detailed information, please review our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide. If you do not have internet access or if you have questions, please contact the Human Resources Representative listed in the vacancy announcement. WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position. Applicant referrals will commence on or after 09/12/2012. Applications received by the closing date of this announcement will continue to be considered for up to 90 days after the closing date.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

NOTE: THE AUTOMATED APPLICATION TOOL IDENTIFIES A NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS THAT MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR THIS POSITION BUT ARE NOT ACTUALLY REQUIRED.  THE DOCUMENTS DESCRIBED BELOW ARE THE ONLY ONES REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB. ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS LISTED ARE OPTIONAL.

If you are an NSF employee in a permanent, competitive service position or you are an NSF employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior Federal permanent, competitive service, you need not submit documents to confirm status.

If you are not an NSF employee as described above, but you are eligible under merit promotion, under a noncompetitive special appointing authority, under an interchange agreement, or
similar authority, you will be required to submit supporting documentation. This will typically require the submission of one or more of the following documents:
1. Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) or comparable federal agency form if you are a current or former permanent federal civil service employees.
2. DD-214 (Member-4 copy); and if applicable, the Department of Veterans Affairs Notice of Compensable Disability Rating from applicants requesting consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), Veteran Recruitment Act (VRA), or the disabled veterans appointing authority.
3. Schedule A Certification - from applicants requesting consideration under the Schedule A appointing authority for disabled applicants.
4. Other - Documentation which verifies you are eligible to be appointed to a permanent position in the federal competitive civil service.

If you are requesting special employment consideration under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) you must submit documentation provided by your current or former employing agency verifying your eligibility for that program.

You must submit proof of meeting the basic education requirement described in the QUALIFICATIONS paragraph.  Therefore, you should submit TRANSCRIPTS (unofficial copies are acceptable) or a DIPLOMA that verifies that the requirement is met.  

All faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date. If you are faxing your information, please use extreme care in dialing the fax number to assure we receive your information.  You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your faxed/uploaded document(s).

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

You may check the status of your application at any time on the USAJOBS website.