Secretary (Office Automation).

Department of War Education Activity (DOWEA); Aguadilla (PR); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, seeks an administrative specialist to support daily operations, correspondence review, document preparation, and calendar management. The role includes handling inquiries, reporting, and coordinating substitute teachers in a fast-paced environment.

Applicants must meet federal qualifications, including suitability checks and pre-employment certifications, with a focus on accuracy and customer service.

Qualifications

• Experience using office automation software to receive or compose routine correspondence.
• Ability to manage office calendars and maintain records.
• Typing proficiency of 40 words per minute with three or fewer errors.

Responsibilities

• Review outgoing correspondence for accuracy.
• Prepare memorandums, documents, and forms.
• Compile information for reports.
• Maintain an office calendar and suspense files.
• Receive calls, greet visitors, and direct inquiries.
• Provide information and guidance on school procedures, reports, and requirements.
• Maintain personnel time and attendance records to adhere to DoWEA policies.
• Coordinate and arrange substitute teachers.

Skills

Office automation

Typing 40 wpm

Customer service

Calendar management

Education

Four years education above high school

Job description

• Review outgoing correspondence for accuracy.
• Prepare a variety of memorandums, documents, and forms.
• Compile information for reports.
• Maintain an office calendar and suspense files.
• Receive calls, greets visitors, and direct inquiries.
• Provide information and guidance on school procedures, reports, and requirements.
• Maintain personnel time and attendance records to adhere to Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) policies.
• Coordinate and arrange substitute teachers.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Requirement.
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship required.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• One year probationary period may be required.
• Appointment subject to a suitability/fitness determination, as determined by a background investigation.
• This position requires a Tier 1 (T1) investigation with Childcare Checks since its duties require interaction with children and youth under the age of eighteen (18) years of age.

Qualifications

Who May Apply

Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See

• Current Competitive Service Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) Civilian Employee
• Current Department of War (DoW) Civilian Employee
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)
• Non-Department of War (DoW) Transfer
• Priority Placement Program, DoW Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoW Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoW MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoW Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.

Specialized Experience GS-05

One year of specialized experience which includes: utilizing office automation software to receive or compose routine correspondence; scheduling appointments; and providing customer service to staff and/or visitors. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

OR

Education

Four years of education above the high school level obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience

A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages. Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Specialized Experience GS-06: I have one year of specialized experience which includes: managing office calendars; reviewing correspondence to ensure accuracy; and maintaining office records in areas such as time and attendance, payroll, and/or leave records. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this grade, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

This position requires a qualified typist. A qualified typist can type 40 words per minute based on a 5-minute sample with three or fewer errors. The Hiring Manager may require a typing proficiency test be administered to verify meeting the typing requirements for this position. Applicants determined to not meet the typing proficiency will be considered ineligible and will not receive consideration for this position.

Time in Grade Requirement GS-06

Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-05).

Time in Grade GS-05

Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks may not be promoted more than 2 grades within the preceding 52 weeks.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Management may select at any of the grade levels announced. This recruitment provides promotion opportunity to the target grade of the position without further competition when selectee is eligible and recommended by management. Duties described reflect the full performance GS-06 level. If not selected at the full performance level, duties will be performed in a developmental capacity under close supervision.
• You may claim Military Spouse preference. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) applicants will receive preference consideration and will be placed (if selected) at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined best qualified, up to and including the full performance level.
• You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference. DoW Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants will receive preference consideration at the full-performance grade level only.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the
• This position may require a 1-year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests

If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here:

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.