Administrative Operations Specialist

US National Institute of Standards and Technology; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking motivated Administrative Officers to support scientific, technical, and operational programs through strategic coordination of administrative and business operations. These roles help ensure effective financial management, workforce support, and efficient execution of program objectives.

Qualifications include one year of specialized experience at GS-07 or higher, or a master's/advanced degree, or two years of graduate

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 (ZA-I) level, including budget tracking, travel coordination, acquisitions, HR support, and records management.
• Experience coordinating multiple administrative activities and communicating with managers, staff and stakeholders.
• ZA-III requires one year of experience at least GS-11 level in administrative and operational functions including budget planning, financial management, acquisitions, travel management.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate administrative and business operations to support critical programs.
• Assist with budget planning, execution and financial management.
• Manage travel and acquisitions and provide HR administration and records management.

Skills

Administrative support

Budget tracking

Travel coordination

Acquisitions

HR support

Property management

Records management

Education

Master's degree

Graduate education (2 years)

J.D./LL.B.

Graduate education + experience

Job description

NIST is seeking highly motivated Administrative Officers to support critical scientific, technical, and operational programs through strategic coordination of administrative and business operations. These positions play a key role in ensuring effective financial management, workforce support, acquisitions, travel, and organizational operations that enable mission success, informed decision-making, and efficient execution of program objectives across the organization.

To qualify for the ZA-II, applicants must possess one of the following:

• A. Possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 (ZA-I at NIST) level.
  • Experience providing administrative and operational support for an organization, including activities related to budget tracking, travel coordination, acquisitions, human resources support, property management, records management, or other administrative program functions.
  • Experience coordinating multiple administrative activities, applying organizational policies and procedures, and communicating with managers, staff, and stakeholders.
• B. master's or equivalent graduate degree
• C. Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree
• D. LL.B. or J.D.
• E. A combination of graduate education and experience.

To qualify for the ZA-III, applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized equivalent to at least the GS-11 (ZA-II at NIST) level.

• Experience independently coordinating and managing administrative and operational functions for an organization, including budget planning and execution, financial management, acquisitions, travel management, human resources administration, property management, and other organizational support activities.
• Experience coordinating multiple administrative activities, applying organizational policies and procedures, and communicating with managers, staff, and stakeholders.

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.