Summary

Help drive NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership by providing strategic administrative counsel and program coordination to senior leadership as a Program Operations Specialist. You will manage complex budgets, interpret federal regulations, and craft influential communications for diverse stakeholders. This role offers the chance to enhance organizational efficiency through expert project management and policy development in a collaborative environment.

Duties

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As part of NIST, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) enhances the productivity and technological performance of U.S. manufacturing. Through a robust public-private network, MEP Centers collaborate at federal, state, and local levels to help manufacturers develop new products, adopt cutting-edge technology, and strengthen domestic supply chains. We serve as the primary link between the manufacturing community and the federal research ecosystem.

If hired as Program Operations Specialist for MEP, you will:

At the ZA-II Level:

• Serve as a key administrative advisor to the MEP Senior Leadership team, tracking work assignments, ensuring regulatory compliance, and assisting in decision-making.
• Coordinate the implementation of administrative procedures in collaboration with the MEP Advisory Board, managing timelines to ensure adherence to federal policies.
• Research, draft, and deliver briefings and presentations for stakeholders on programmatic and administrative matters.
• Review and reconcile cooperative agreement budgets for accuracy and provide guidance on federal regulations regarding travel, time and attendance, and procurement.

At the ZA-III Level:

• Serve as the Senior Administrative Specialist, providing expert analytical oversight and authoritative recommendations on mission-critical assignments and priorities.
• Lead cross-functional working groups to independently create and modernize policies, managing complex project lifecycles from conception to completion.
• Independently author high-level controlled correspondence, briefing packages, and strategic reports for senior management and external stakeholders.
• Independently manage and troubleshoot complex budgets and database integrity, providing critical analysis to ensure divisional solvency.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Merit applicants must meet time-in-grade/band requirements, as applicable
• Bargaining Unit Position: No

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for this position at the ZA-II level, applicants must possess ONE of the following:

1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level (ZA-I at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as:
   
   • Experience performing complex administrative assignments that involve researching information, interpreting internal guidelines, and/or resolving operational problems; and
   • Experience drafting technical documents, such as SOPs or program reference materials, to provide clear guidance to a team; and
   • Experience analyzing different options or data points to recommend the best course of action for daily office operations.
2. OR: Master's or equivalent graduate degree
3. OR: 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree
4. OR: LL.B. or J.D., if related
5. OR: Equivalent combination of education and experience

To qualify for this position at the ZA-III level, applicants must possess:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 (ZA-II at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as:
  
  • Experience leading a team or overseeing a specific program area to complete complex administrative projects from start to finish; and
  • Experience analyzing high-level policies or regulations to provide formal recommendations to senior management on how to resolve systemic issues or improve organizational policy; and
  • Experience writing technical reports or memos that are used by leadership to make final program or budgetary decisions.

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.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This position allows applicants to qualify with education at the ZA-II level. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.

At the ZA-III level, qualifications are based upon meeting specialized experience only. Education cannot be used to qualify for this position at the ZA-III level.

Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.

Additional information

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent Learn more about the APMS here!

• We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
• Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
• You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
• All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
• A probationary period may be required.

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.

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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.

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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.