Program Support Assistant (OA)

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Ames (IA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks an Administrative and Program Assistant in Ames, IA to support Veterinary Services, Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). The role handles administrative duties, reporting, and program support, with emphasis on accuracy and process improvement.

The position requires one year of specialized experience at the GS-06 level and involves coordinating meetings, producing reports, and contributing to regulatory drafts.

Qualifications

• 1 year of specialized experience at GS-06 level or equivalent demonstrating the listed competencies.
• Experience maintaining administrative records, compiling reports, and evaluating program information.
• Ability to coordinate meetings, write and edit materials, and track action items.

Responsibilities

• Track completion of project groups using timetables and deadlines.
• Gather and evaluate information to prepare Veterinary Biologics Program reports.
• Coordinate program conferences: agenda, notes, action items, suspense file.
• Coordinate and consolidate program comments on drafts of regulations and memoranda; assist staff with writing.
• Review and proofread documents and produce final drafts for submission.
• Evaluate and review performance measurement collection systems.

Skills

Administrative coordination

Data reporting

Regulatory information research

Process improvement

Job description

Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service

The position supports Veterinary Services, Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB). As an Administrative and Program Assistant you will be responsible for various administrative, office automation and support duties. You will also be responsible for the accurate tracking and reporting of administrative activities and program accomplishments.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-06 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Checking submitted information for completeness and consistency with established standards.
• Maintaining and compiling a variety of administrative information into tables, charts, and reports.
• Researching and providing information to employees on regulations of administrative actions.
• Recommending new administrative procedures to facilitate changing program expectations.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

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.

Major Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Tracking completion of of project groups using established timetables and deadlines.
• Gathers and evaluates information to prepare a variety of Veterinary Biologics Program reports.
• Coordinates program work conferences, including developing the agenda, taking and distributing notes, keeping a suspense file of action items, and tracking progress.
• Coordinates and consolidates program comments on drafts of regulations, memorandums, etc. assisting unit staff with writing as requested.
• Participates in the review and proofreading of such documents and is responsible for producing the final draft for submission.
• Evaluates and reviews performance measurement collection systems.

Position Start Date

09/18/2026

Position Close Date

09/24/2026

Salary Offered

50869 - 66132 USD Per Year

You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS.