Program Support Assistant (OA)

About the role

This position is located within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Frederick, MD. In this position, you will serve as a personal assistant to the Research Leader and other professional staff providing various secretarial, administrative, and program support duties, allowing them to focus on the organization's primary mission.

Major duties: Serves as the primary administrative business process point of contact for the Unit. Provides technical and advisory services to the Research Leader and professional staff in all program administrative procedures ensuring compliance with regulations. Planning and organizing the work by coordinating priorities and commitments of the office in order to serve as liaison, prepare background material, and anticipate information requests. Notifies researchers of documentation deadlines, updates, and required submissions. Assists with preparation and submission of project materials through automated reporting or review systems. Prepares travel authorizations and vouchers using automated travel management systems. Serve as principal timekeeper for assigned locations and provides technical pay and leave advice on routine matters. Serves as a purchase cardholder for the Unit, reviewing all purchase requests for accuracy and completeness. Screens all calls and visitors, answering most questions on established policy or routine matters. Logs, routes, and tracks incoming correspondence and action items to ensure timely follow-up.

Qualifications: Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. GS-06 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. Qualifying experience for GS-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience performing routine program and administrative support; processing financial, procurement, personnel, or agreement actions using established procedures; using computer applications to prepare, format, and review documents; maintaining administrative records and tracking information; and providing customer service to visitors and staff. GS-07 Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. Qualifying experience for GS-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is applying guidelines involving program and administrative processes; independently performing complex program and administrative support; coordinating and monitoring documentation and administrative actions; interpreting guidelines and applying judgment to resolve procedural issues; preparing and processing travel or procurement actions; and providing customer service to visitors and staff. Applicants must be able to type 40 words per minute. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Agricultural Research Service

Source: USAJOBS, read 11/15/2026. Apply on the source’s own site.