Program Support Specialist (Recent Graduate), Dept. of Heath & Human Services - Washington, DC Area

Job Title:Program Support Specialist (Recent Graduate)

Department:Department Of Health And Human Services

Agency:Food and Drug Administration

Job Announcement Number:HHS-FDA-OC-RG-13-832407

SALARY RANGE:	$51,630.00 to $67,114.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:	Monday, February 04, 2013 to Friday, February 08, 2013
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0301-09
POSITION INFORMATION:	Full Time - Recent Graduates
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 11
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy in the following location: Silver Spring, MD United StatesView Map
WHO MAY APPLY:	Recent College Graduates - Applicants who can be appointed to a job within 2 years of receiving their college degree or certificate. Veterans, precluded from applying due to military service, must be appointed within 6 years of receiving their degree or certificate.

JOB SUMMARY:

Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of every American!  At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) you can give back to your community, state, and country by making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere.  It is the principal agency for protecting the health of citizens.  Join HHS and help to make our world healthier, safer, and better for all Americans.

This is a Recent Graduate position in the Pathways Program within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in various Centers, responsible for inspecting regulated products and manufacturers, conducting sample analysis on regulated products, and reviewing imported products offered for entry into the United States. These generic requirements are relevant to all offices; however, the daily duties will depend upon which Center within FDA you are placed. The program duration is one year. Upon successful completion of the program and at the agency's discretion, the appointee may be converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service.

Who May Apply:  Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational
institution with at least a 2.8 GPA; Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply.

YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT.

This position is located in the Office of the Commissioner, Office of Global Regulatory Operations and Policy (GROP), Office of International Programs (OIP), in Silver Spring, MD.The purpose of the position is to perform a wide variety of administrative tasks associated with maintaining and supporting the work performed within the organization. 

Open to all United States Citizens or lawfully admitted as a permanent residence.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple positions in multiple locations.

KEY REQUIREMENTS



• U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted as a permanent resident.
• Background investigation required.
• All supporting documents must be received by the closing date.
• Completed all requirements for degree or certificate with at least 2.8 GPA.
• Must serve one-year trial period for the duration of the program.
• Must submit school transcript.

---

DUTIES:

Back to top

Plans, organizes, carries out, and evaluates special projects affecting the administration of programs in Associate Commissioner for International Programs (ACIP) and Senior Advisor (SA).  Conducts studies at the supervisor’s request, researches sensitive issues, analyzes and presents findings, and recommends adminis­trative strategies or changes in internal operating procedures to incorporate new legislative requirements, changing organizational relation­ships within the Agency or with other groups outside the Agency, and/or new Depart­ment, Agency, or Office of the Commissioner initiatives.

Edits a variety of documents prepared by professional staff and assists in committing scientific observations and analyses to writing. 

Researches specific information on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) functions and activities required by the supervi­sor or ACIP and SA for reports or for use in meetings.  Provides reports and other necessary documents in the form of written memoranda for OIP’s records.  Communicates orally with Office of International Programs and FDA colleagues in preparation for international meetings and seminars, and other international fora. 

Prepares special reports, presentations, and summaries for the ACIP, SA and other Office staff.  Obtains and verifies information by researching office records and reference documents and by conferring with program officials within and outside the Division.  Evaluates, analyzes, and correlates all information relevant to the subject and drafts reports, summaries and presentations.  Contacts officials throughout the Agency to solicit input; reviews recommended items and selects those to be incorporated.

Develops position papers to explain study findings and recommendations. 

Briefs supervisor and senior staff on results and implements approved options.

Serves as a point of contact for the Office, its management staff, and higher level program, manage­ment, and administrative specialists.

---

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Back to top

To be eligible for the Recent Graduate Program, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
a. Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution with at least a 2.8 GPA within the previous two years; OR
b. Released or discharged from active duty within the previous two years, where the applicant is a veteran who, due to a military service obligation, was precluded from applying for a recent graduate position during any portion of the two-year eligibility period following completion of his/her degree or certificate requirements, provided that not more than six years have transpired since the applicant completed the requirements for his/her degree or certificate.

Additional Requirements for GS-09: 

A. Applicants must have one year of experience, equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service, working on global issues, to include regulatory and global health, as well as national regulatory priorities that impact U.S. and global economies; 

OR

B. Two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related related to the position being filled. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will satisfy an academic year of graduate study.

You must submit your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades) to document that you have met the education requirement. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be needed prior to beginning employment. Most colleges and universities offer unofficial transcripts online - please check your school website to obtain a copy quickly.

Documenting Experience: In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the percentage of times the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above. 

Foreign Education:  If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.  For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov.

Conditions of Employment:

1. Security and Background Requirements:  If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees.  Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.  Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action.  In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time.  Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.  False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.

2. E-Verify:  If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.  Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.

3. Direct Deposit:  All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.

4. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

5. Financial disclosure statement may be required.

6. Must serve one-year trial period for the duration of the program.

7. Must sign a FDA Pathways Recent Graduate Program Participant Agreement.

8. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will be paid: No

9. Bargaining Unit Position: Yes

10. Drug Screening Required: No

11. Recruitment incentives may be authorized: No

12. Student loan repayment incentive authorized: No

13. Annual leave for non-federal service authorized: No

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job.  If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.  Please follow all instructions carefully.  Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.  

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

1. Knowledge of analytical and evaluation methods, administrative requirements, and operating procedures plus skill in fact finding, analysis, and negotiation sufficient to interpret and organize data and coordinate projects to meet the established and anticipated needs.

2.  Ability to communicate in writing to reply to inquiries for information and to assist in writing and editing scientific and other papers.

3.  Ability to communicate orally to obtain and coordinate responses for information, to conduct fact finding or general investigations, and to present findings and recommendations.

4.   Knowledge of information management to assist in the automation of various organizational functions, acquires and manipulates data/information, and schedule and check the status of programs or projects.

5.  Knowledge of global issues, to include regulatory and global health, as well as national regulatory priorities that impact U.S. and global economies. 

6.  Ability to conduct research in order to gather factual information related to program issues and to provide time saving literature services to the professional staff.

---

BENEFITS:

Back to top

The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.  Explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees at http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc.

OTHER INFORMATION:

PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION:

Program participants may be converted, without a break in service, to a term, career or career conditional appointment upon completion of program requirements.

To be eligible for conversion, Recent Graduates must:

-Meet the citizenship requirement

-Complete one continuous year of work experience acquired through a Recent
  Graduate Program Complete 40 hours of formal interactive training
-Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted
-Meet any agency-specific requirements specified in the Participant's Agreement, and
-Demonstrate successful job performance that results in a rating of record of at least Fully Successful and a recommendation for conversion by the first level supervisor.

More information on the Pathways Programs for students and recent graduates can be found at:
 http://www.opm.gov/HiringReform/Pathways

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility.  If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.  For more information on veterans’ preference see http://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.

Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov).

For information on "People with Disabilities" please visit http://opm.gov/disability/PeopleWithDisabilities.asp

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):  For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible see http://opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap.  To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

---

HOW TO APPLY:

Back to top

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.  Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire.  Please ensure you click theSubmit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Note:  To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application you may use the following link: https://applicationmanager.gov.

To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the following Vacancy ID 832407.  Fax your documents to1-478-757-3144.

If you cannot apply online:

1. Click the following link to view and print the assessment questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire, and
2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the assessment questionnaire http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf and
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 1-478-757-3144.  Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
4. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Bethesda Customer HelpDesk at (888) 478-4340; TTY/TDD: (800) 877-8339; or by email quickquestions@fda.hhs.gov.  The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Résumé - You are encouraged to use the USAJobs online resume builder to ensure that all required information is in your resume.  If you use your own résumé, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that include beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed.
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire
3. College Transcripts or certificates
4. Other supporting documents:
     - Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable
     - Individuals with Disabilities (must submit proof on the organization's letterhead), if applicable
                      For Sample letter: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/UCM276860.pdf.

For Résumé and Application Tips visit: http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/ResumeAndApplicationTips#icc

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, February 08, 2013.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

FDA Helpdesk
Phone: (888)478-4340
Fax: (478)757-3144
Email: QUICKQUESTIONS@PSC.GOV

Agency Information:
HHS FDA Center
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD
20993 Fax: (478)757-3144

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.  The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.  We expect to make a selection within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement.

You will receive notice via email or by mail, if no email address was provided by you during the application process, once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).