Administrative Officer

Summary

You will serve as a Administrative Officer for the Pennsylvania Ecological Services Field Office located in State College, PA First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Provide a wide range of administrative services, advice, and counsel for the Pennsylvania Ecological Services Field Office. Develop and prepare budget estimates and justifications for current-year, budget-year, and out-year budget planning. Monitor and track obligations and expenditures throughout the budget execution phase. Provide guidance and assistance in preparing routine and recurring cooperative agreements, inter-/intra-agency agreements, and reimbursable agreements. Advise and assist in determining needs and acquiring equipment, supplies, materials, and repair services on the basis of necessity and availability of funds. Ensure that the acquisition, use, and control of federally-owned personal property conforms to established Departmental, Service, Regional, and Field Office property management policies and procedures. Provide advice and guidance to supervisors and employees on regulations, policies, and procedures related to human resources management (e.g., ensures timely processing in personnel matters of promotion, step increases, incentive awards, health benefits, payroll, leave balances, TSP, retirement information, awards, and career development opportunities). Ensures travel arrangements for program staff and cooperators are made in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations, Department, and Service policy.

Qualifications

Requirements Continued Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/30/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Specialized Experience Requirement: Possess one (1) year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-7 level or higher in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience includes:1) Perform budget preparation, analysis, and execution duties (e.g., estimates, projections, financial tracking, monitoring, reconciling, and reporting); 2) Identify funding problems, deficiencies, or imbalances and provide solutions; 3) Purchase supplies or equipment and ensure that all expenses are obligated properly:4) Provide guidance for human resources and administrative issues (e.g., personnel actions, time and attendance, travel, etc.). NOTE: Your resume must include sufficient detail (e.g., complete begin/end dates, work schedule, duties performed, etc.) for each time frame for consideration. OR Education: Possess a 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 J.D., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. NOTE: Transcripts required. OR Combination of education and experience: Possess an equivalent combination of specialized experience and directly related graduate level education as described in 1 and 2 above that, when computed as percentages of their respective requirements, equals at least 100% when combined. Only graduate education beyond the first year is creditable to meet this standard. NOTE: Transcripts required, and your resume must contain sufficient information, e.g., complete begin/end dates, hours worked per week, duties performed, etc., for each period of work for consideration to meet this standard. Volunteer Experience: 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.

Education

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work. Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification