PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Duties

• Serve as the primary point of contact for international students and families, providing guidance and support throughout pre-arrival, onboarding, residency, and departure processes.
• Coordinate and support educational travel, field studies, events, and sponsorship activities by managing logistics, travel documentation, communications, and program execution.
• Maintain and analyze program records and databases, ensuring accurate student information, reporting, and compliance with organizational requirements.
• Assist with outreach, engagement, and communications initiatives by preparing correspondence, newsletters, web content, promotional materials, and alumni support activities.
• Support Program improvement efforts through project management, data analysis, reporting, process documentation, briefings, and recommendations to enhance operational effectiveness.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance

Qualifications

One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (as outlined below) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.

Specialized Experience: For the GS-7: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5.

• Specialized Experience is defined as experience in an administrative setting with the ability to take on assigned tasks &/ or projects of limited scope and complexity designed to develop skills and proficiency in the occupation.

For the GS-9: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7.

• Specialized experience is defined as experience in an administrative setting with the ability to work on assignments or projects independently and more advanced methods that require the application of established principles, concepts, and techniques of the occupation.

For the GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9.

• Specialized experience is defined as experience providing administrative, programmatic, customer service, or logistical support in an educational, military, international affairs, security cooperation, or governmental environment.

Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience:

For the GS-07: One full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement ( ) may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement.

For the GS-9: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education, Master's or equivalent graduate degree, may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement.

For the GS-11: Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement.

If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply.

Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.

To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education ( ).

Official Transcripts:
If the position you are applying for has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications (i.e. you would not qualify without the education obtained), you MUST submit transcripts with your application.

• • Official transcripts are not required at the time of application outside of what is outlined above; however, official transcripts must be verified PRIOR to appointment.
  • An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click to check accreditation.
• FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying or prior to appointment as outlined above.
  • Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the

Additional information

Position involves interaction with international students, foreign government representatives, and U.S. government stakeholders. Travel is required in support of field studies, tours, and special events, approximately 60 days per academic year. Work includes planning and supporting educational programs, outreach events, and student services activities. Position requires maintaining accurate records, reports, and program data.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.

Accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

Background or Security Investigation: This is a Noncritical Sensitive position which requires a background investigation. The individual selected for this position is required to obtain and maintain a Secret security determination to occupy a Noncritical Sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): You must be well qualified for the position to receive special selection priority under the ICTAP. A qualified ICTAP eligible achieving a score of 90 or above will be considered well qualified. You must submit a Separation-Reduction in Force (RIF) SF-50; a RIF Notice showing separation within the past year (or declining a management directed reassignment outside the commuting area, or a Termination of Disability Notice from OPM) and most recent performance appraisal. For more information, go to: .

Special Hiring Authorities: You may be considered for the vacancy if you are eligible for a special appointment authority such as those authorized for the severely disabled; certain Vietnam Era and disabled veterans; volunteers returned from the Peace Corps or Vista, etc. For more information, visit the following OPM websites: USAJOBS Resource Center: ; VetsInfo Guide: .

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): Veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions after substantially completing an initial 3-year term (not less than 2 years and 11 months) may apply regardless of their current geographical location. Veterans must submit their DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to be considered under this authority.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.

PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.

Reemployed Annuitants: Department of Defense has the authority to hire annuitants without reduction in pay. For more information, go to:

All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-4434 for assistance.