TITLE: Staff Assistant, IS-303-5,7; $32,176 to $51,809/yr
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Fund Indefinite
DIVISION: - High Energy Astrophysics
LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents

More than one position may be filled from this announcement. First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date. Selection may be made at either of the above grade levels. This is a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential to grade 07. If selected at grade 05, employee may be non-competitively promoted to the next higher grade level, up to grade 07, upon the recommendation of the supervisor, based on the position classification as well as the qualifications and satisfactory performance of the employee.

DUTIES:
At the grade 5 level, this is a training position that affords the opportunity to learn administrative skills including the use of enterprise software systems and elementary web maintenance; at the grade7 level, the employee has greater responsibility and autonomy, and is expected to be highly proficient in a range of administrative skills.

Duties at the grade 5 level: Provides general administrative support and limited facility and staff administration. Duties include, but are not limited to: making travel arrangements and creating purchase requisitions using enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, including GovTrip and PeopleSoft; creating and editing documents using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; performing the duties of a timekeeper, using webTA; tracking and reporting on the status of activities and processes using spreadsheets and databases; assisting in updating existing web pages; and, maintaining a regular stock of supplies.

Duties at the grade 7 level: In addition to the duties listed above, duties may also include supporting the proposal preparation process by creating, formatting and assembling required proposal components; monitoring, analyzing and verifying grant and contract funding and project fund balances to ensure sufficient funding for expenditures, and suggesting alternative funding in the event of potential or projected shortfalls; and preparing and submitting NASA- required Foreign Travel Reports for travel under NASA contracts and grants.

QUALIFICATIONS :

All candidates must possess knowledge of general administrative procedures and techniques, knowledge of Microsoft Office software, knowledge of or the ability to learn ERP tools including GovTrip, PeopleSoft, and webTA. Prior experience with these tools is a plus, as is the ability to update web page content. Candidates must be well organized, possess good judgment, be able to communicate fluently both orally and in writing, and have excellent interpersonal and team skills. In addition, candidates must possess the qualifications required for the specific grade levels for which they are applying, as noted below.

Candidates for grade 5 must posses a minimum of one year specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 4 level in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is that which is directly related to the position to be filled, and that has equipped the candidate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are required to perform the duties of the position successfully. Or, 4 years above high school.

Candidates for grade 7, in addition to the skills listed above, must posses a minimum of one year specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 6 level in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is that which is directly related to the position to be filled, and that has equipped the candidate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are required to perform the duties of the position successfully. This experience should show quantative and analytical skills as well as the ability to understand, analyze and summarize complex financial and other quantative reports, and the ability to identify inaccuracies and anomalies and propose approaches to solving discrepancies.

NOTE: New employees are subject to background checks,including fingerprinting, and a one year probationary period.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Submit resumes to Recruiter #461, referring to Job Posting #28-26, at the mailing address below, or to saoresumes@cfa.harvard.edu. Please note that the email address is for the submission of application materials only. Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Please complete the Applicant Survey Form, which is used to collect information from candidates during the search process to evaluate the effectiveness of the Institution's search and recruit efforts. Please print all responses. The information provided is not a part of the selection process and will be used for statistical purposes only. Your voluntary responses will have no effect on your consideration.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace.

Visit our SAO website. or http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/sao-home.html

Mailing address:
Recruiter 461 (JP#28-26)
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
60 Garden Street, MS 17
Cambridge, MA 02138