POSITION

• GS-0303-08 Staff Assistant

SALARY

• GS-08 $61,933.00 to $80,510.00

Starting salary is based on the grade appointed at. New Hires to the federal government normally start at the 

lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.

PROGRAM AREA

• Plant Protection and Quarantine, Professional Development Center, Administrative Unit

DUTY LOCATION

• Frederick, MD

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full-time

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT

• Permanent

NUMBER OF VACANCIES

• One (1)

TRAVEL REQUIRED

• Occasional

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a US Citizen or US National.

• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.

• Successful completion of one-year trial period or probationary period as applicable.

• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments

made by direct deposit to their financial institution.

• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.

• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including

your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/

WHO MAY APPLY

Non-competitive Hiring Authorities. Veterans – VRA or 30% or More Disabled Veterans, Schedule A (persons 

with disabilities), Military Spouses, Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers. 

OVERVIEW

Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) is a program within APHIS which safeguards U.S. agriculture and natural 

resources against the entry, establishment, and spread of economically and environmentally significant pests, 
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and facilitates the safe trade of agricultural products. Join our team and gain valuable experience working in the 

field to stop this invasive species from harming our nation’s agriculture.

This position serves as the staff assistant to the Director of the Professional Development Center (PDC). 

Functioning as the lead authority for all administrative support procedures and regulations, the incumbent is 

responsible for providing administrative management support essential to the direction and operations of the 

PDC.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides technical advice, instruction, and interpretation to supervisors, managers and other staff 

members on all procedural regulations, guidelines, and policies concerning administrative support 

activities. 

• Serves as the administrative support contact for the Director’s unit. 

• Recommends changes in administrative policies and devises office procedures and practices.

• Receives visitors seeking information relating to the many varied program activities administered by PDC 

and uses judgment and discretion in referring inquiries to the appropriate party. 

• Reviews incoming correspondence, reports, memoranda, and other materials.

• Creates and preserves official mission records on behalf of the assigned office or staff.

• Plans for conferences, notifies participants who are to attend, and assembles necessary reference 

materials. 

• Assembles information for various reports, briefing, conferences and hearings.

• Prepares and reviews travel authorizations/advances and vouchers to ensure they are complete and 

correct.

• Serves as PDC’s primary point of contact on Time and Attendance (T&A), leave and maxiflex guidelines, 

and associated questions.

• Serves as a purchase cardholder for supplies and services.

• Serves as back-up for Fleet Management activities at the PDC.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• FOR THE GS-08 LEVEL: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have 

been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors.

NOTE: Education is generally not creditable above GS-05; however, graduate education may be credited 

in those few instances where the graduate education is directly related to the work of the position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are required to submit the following items for consideration to: gary.a.rakow@usda.gov Please 

list the Position Title in the subject line.

• Applicants are required to submit the following items for consideration.

• Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) 

education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including 

work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other 

qualifications or certifications; and 5) supervisors name and phone number for each work period listed 

and whether or not they may be contacted for reference checks.

• When claiming Veterans' preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, 

which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you 

must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active-duty service under honorable 

conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.

• Disabled Veterans must also submit a VA Disability Letter (if applicable) for verification of serviceconnected disability.
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• Schedule A candidates must include a Schedule A Letter for eligible disabled persons. To be eligible for 

Schedule A, you must provide a proof of a disability letter stating that you have an intellectual disability, 

severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability. You can get this letter from your doctor, a licensed 

medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist or any federal, state, or local agency 

that issues or provides disability benefits. Letter must be on office Letterhead.

• Military Spouses must provide a copy of: Spouse ID card, Copy of Active-Duty spouses military orders, 

and marriage certificate.

• Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers must provide their NCE letter.

• Must submit a copy of Transcripts if qualifying with education as listed in qualifications section. 

Transcripts can be unofficial but, if selected, candidates will be required to submit official transcripts 

before start date.

Equal Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

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