Program Operations Specialist

Help drive NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership by providing strategic administrative counsel and program coordination to senior leadership as a Program Operations Specialist. You will manage complex budgets, interpret federal regulations, and craft influential communications for diverse stakeholders. This role offers the chance to enhance organizational efficiency through expert project management and policy development in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for this position at the ZA-II level, applicants must possess ONE of the following:

1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level (ZA-I at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as:
   • Experience performing complex administrative assignments that involve researching information, interpreting internal guidelines, and/or resolving operational problems; and
   • Experience drafting technical documents, such as SOPs or program reference materials, to provide clear guidance to a team; and
   • Experience analyzing different options or data points to recommend the best course of action for daily office operations.
2. OR: Master's or equivalent graduate degree
3. OR: 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree
4. OR: LL.B. or J.D., if related
5. OR: Equivalent combination of education and experience

To qualify for this position at the ZA-III level, applicants must possess:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 (ZA-II at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as:
  • Experience leading a team or overseeing a specific program area to complete complex administrative projects from start to finish; and
  • Experience analyzing high-level policies or regulations to provide formal recommendations to senior management on how to resolve systemic issues or improve organizational policy; and
  • Experience writing technical reports or memos that are used by leadership to make final program or budgetary decisions.

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

Responsibilities:

As part of NIST, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) enhances the productivity and technological performance of U.S. manufacturing. Through a robust public-private network, MEP Centers collaborate at federal, state, and local levels to help manufacturers develop new products, adopt cutting-edge technology, and strengthen domestic supply chains. We serve as the primary link between the manufacturing community and the federal research ecosystem.

If hired as Program Operations Specialist for MEP, you will:

At the ZA-II Level:

• Serve as a key administrative advisor to the MEP Senior Leadership team, tracking work assignments, ensuring regulatory compliance, and assisting in decision-making.
• Coordinate the implementation of administrative procedures in collaboration with the MEP Advisory Board, managing timelines to ensure adherence to federal policies.
• Research, draft, and deliver briefings and presentations for stakeholders on programmatic and administrative matters.
• Review and reconcile cooperative agreement budgets for accuracy and provide guidance on federal regulations regarding travel, time and attendance, and procurement.

At the ZA-III Level:

• Serve as the Senior Administrative Specialist, providing expert analytical oversight and authoritative recommendations on mission-critical assignments and priorities.
• Lead cross-functional working groups to independently create and modernize policies, managing complex project lifecycles from conception to completion.
• Independently author high-level controlled correspondence, briefing packages, and strategic reports for senior management and external stakeholders.
• Independently manage and troubleshoot complex budgets and database integrity, providing critical analysis to ensure divisional solvency.

Salary : $70,623