Refuge Program Assistant
What you'd do
This position is part of the Division of Refuges Law Enforcement team. As a Program Assistant, you will be responsible for all aspects of the administration for the assigned program area. This will include answering incoming calls, reviewing incoming mail, proofreading outgoing correspondence, prepare materials of a highly technical nature, serve as timekeeper for the assigned program area, assist with travel arrangements, among other administrative duties.
Major duties
This Refuge Law Enforcement Program Assistant position is located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 2, Office of Refuge Law Enforcement. One position will be filled from this vacancy announcement, there are multiple duty locations available, at the time of application, please indicate the duty stations you wish to be considered for. At the full performance level (GS-07) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Handle incoming calls, visitors, and correspondence for Refuge Supervisors/Division Chiefs, providing information, directing inquiries, and ensuring urgent issues receive prompt attention. Review, organize, and compile information needed to respond to requests from field offices, Regional and Washington Offices, and other partners. Track deadlines by setting suspense dates, monitoring pending actions, and following up independently to keep work on schedule. Prepare, proof, and edit correspondence and technical documents, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and consistency. Serve as timekeeper for assigned program areas-verifying time entries, advising staff on codes and procedures, and resolving basic payroll issues. Assist with Law Enforcement travel, preparing itineraries and travel vouchers for the Chief and Captains, ensuring adherence to federal travel regulations and proper supporting documentation. Maintain office systems such as files, inventory, purchases, and equipment use, helping keep program operations organized and efficient.
What you need to qualify
Requirements Continued... As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications: All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/21/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected. Specialized Experience Requirement: you must have at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience for this position include: screening and answering telephone calls and determining which require personal attention; establishing, organizing, and maintaining files of correspondence, manuals, and other related information; reviewing correspondence and reports for proper format, grammar, punctuation, spelling and conformance with procedural instructions; gathering and assembling necessary supporting documentation for reports; and processing travel and payroll. You must include hours per week worked in your resume. You must include hours per week worked. 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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Before you apply
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