Administrative Officer

Summary

These positions are located within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The location of these positions will be determined upon selection.

In this position, you will serve as the Administrative Officer for the assigned location providing leadership in the management of business functions in support of assigned research programs.

Duties

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• Provides management advisory services and formulates and implements Location administrative management policies, procedures, operations, goals, and objectives.
• Works closely with location and Area management officials to ensure business needs of the customer are achieved. Integrates management needs with the general business processes of the location.
• Serves as the primary advisor and technical resource to officials on accounting and financial management matters.
• Advises management officials regarding procedures, laws, regulations, and policies dealing with workforce diversity, recruitment, merit promotion, training, and other human resources related activities.
• Implements and oversees the Employee Orientation Program assuring that necessary information is provided to new employees and assuring that appropriate content changes are made.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement 11/24/2026 including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Time in Grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

GS-09

Qualifying experience for GS-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-07 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 administrative duties including producing and reviewing official documentation or reports; participating in budget or financial management, human resources, contracting or procurement, or facility management activities.

OR

Education: 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 JD., if related. Related degrees may include business administration, business management, project management, or human resources.

OR

A combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above.

GS-11

Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-09 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 coordinating administrative procedures related to human resources, budgets and facility management; managing contracting or procurement actions; and evaluating and developing administrative management policies, procedures, or operations.

OR

Education: Successful completion of three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or Ph.D. equivalent doctoral degree, or LL.M., if directly related. Related degrees may include business administration, business management, project management, or human resources.

OR

A combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above.

GS-12

Qualifying experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 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 providing leadership and oversight to an administrative team; managing all phases of budget formulation and execution; advising management on human resources laws and regulations; and developing business plans to meet administrative requirements for an organization.

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.

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
• Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).
• Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.
• For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website.
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information.
• Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer.
• If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
• This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Salary Breakdown by Location:
  
  • Adams, OR - $61,722 - $116,362
  • Albany, CA - $77,161 - $145,468
  • Boise, ID - $61,722 - $116,362
  • Clay Center, NE - $61,722 - $116,362
  • College Station, TX - $61,722 - $116,362
  • Corvallis, OR - $66,505 - $125,378
  • Davis, CA - $68,419 - $128,987
  • Fargo, ND - $61,722 - $116,362
  • Fayetteville, AR - $61,722 - $116,362
  • Fort Pierce, FL - $65,735 - $123,927
  • Gainesville, FL - $61,722 - $116,362
  • Griffin, GA - $65,271 - $123,052
  • Houston, TX - $71,181 - $134,195
  • Kearneysville, WV - $70,623 - $133,142
  • Lubbock, TX - $61,722 - $116,362
  • Maricopa, AZ - $64,564 - $121,720
  • Mississippi State - $61,722 - $116,362
  • New Orleans, LA- $61,722 - $116,362
  • Poplarville, MS - $61,722 - $116,362
  • St Paul, MN - $67,290 - $126,859
  • Stoneville, MS - $61,722 - $116,362
  • Temple, TX - $61,722 - $116,362
  • Tucson, AZ - $62,893 - $118,569
  • Washington DC - $70,623 - $133,142

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.