Program Support Specialist (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

To determine which grade(s) you are eligible for, review the following grade specific details.  You will be asked questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet this experience and/or education in your resume and/or uploaded transcripts or you may be deemed ineligible. 

For the GS-07:

To qualify on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level, which included performing work such as, or related to:

• Experience assisting with business process documentation and improvement through project/program tracking and management. For example, assisting with progress or financial monitoring for a project.
• Experience assisting with research related to the improvement of program delivery. For example, assisting with gathering information to identify customer or stakeholder needs, or contributing to the development of a system to track outreach/marketing.

OR

To qualify on Education, you must have at least 1 year of graduate-level education OR a Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement*. Transcript(s) are required for verification.

• *Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. (In order to be creditable under this provision, superior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled.)
  • 1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
  • 2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate level education and experience. This must be fully supported in your included resume and transcript(s).

For the GS-09:

To qualify on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level, which included:

• Experience providing business process documentation and improvement through project/program tracking and management. For example, monitoring progress or financial project reports.
• Experience providing analytical support for technical projects. For example, using spreadsheets or other software to organize and analyze data.

OR

To qualify on Education, you must have at least 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree. Transcript(s) are required for verification.

You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate education and experience.  This must be fully supported in your included resume and transcript.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will also be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodologies sufficient to provide summaries and assessments of a variety of program and administrative data.
2. Knowledge of financial management, human resource management, internal controls, and acquisition related administrative processes and procedures sufficient to effectively support senior personnel and the division chief in the day to day execution of such programs.
3. Knowledge of division programs and project practices sufficient to interact and exchange information with division personnel, and, as required, sponsor representatives.
4. Skill in oral, written and visual communication skills sufficient to effectively interface with contacts within and outside the Volpe Center.

For all types of consideration, 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

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.