Vacancy Announcement Number 99DM-1154 (Federal, status and non-status)

Smithsonian Institution
Office of Human Resources

24 Hour Dial-a-Job: (202) 287-3102
An Equal Opportunity Employer

OPENING DATE:  May 25, 1999
CLOSING DATE: June 23, 1999

Office of Fellowship and Grants
Program Assistant
GS-303-5/6
Salary $22,646/$24,478 per annum
Promotion potential to Program Specialist
GS-301-7/9

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All candidates may apply including disabled individuals with eligibility under a special appointing authority. Veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated from the armed force's under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service may apply. (If a competitive list of eligibles is requested, the applications of non-status candidates who meet the minimum qualification for the position will be referred to the Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) for consideration. Status candidates and candidates eligible under a special appointing authority, who wish to be rated under both merit placement and DEU's competitive procedures, must submit two complete applications. If only one application is received, it will be considered under the merit placement program.)

DUTIES: Assists with a wide range in the functions in the grant, fellowship, and/or internship programs. Assists with the publicity and preparation of applications materials. Records applications received for programs, organizes application file for review, maintains file system of applications by year and review cycle. Coordinates the distribution of applications for review by appropriate individuals or committees. Contacts applicants regarding status of applications or proposals. Contacts appointees regarding disbursement of awards. Contacts or corresponds with staff members outside reviewers and review committee members regarding evaluations of applications and proposals. Arranges review committee meetings and insures all appropriate and necessary materials are available before and during the meetings. Maintains computer database of past and present applications and of program awards information. Analyzes this data and prepares reports, review lists, and statistics relating to various programs. Assists with developing and updating forms used during review cycles and awards tenures. Drafts award letters and award agreements, and is responsible for insuring that awardees receive appropriate supplemental information materials. Responsible for orientation of awardees at the beginning of their tenure, including explaining visa and tax requirements insurance plans, and housing information. Tracks appointments to insure they conform to established schedules. Identifies problems or irregularities during award tenures and follows up to correct or resolve.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicant must possess one year of specialized experience equal to the next lower grade. Specialized experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position being filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Directly related education above the high school level may be substituted for specialized experience.

Quality Ranking Factors: (These factors are not mandatory to be considered for a position, but will be, used to determine who are the highest qualified candidates among those who meet the selective factors.)

1 .     Knowledge of fellowship and internship programs.
2.      Knowledge of subjects in the arts, humanities, and sciences.
3.      Skill in PC software, including databases and word processing.
4.      Ability to communicate with people of diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.
5.      Ability to pay attention to detail.

NOTE: RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.

How to Apply:

1) The Smithsonian Institution does not require a standard application form, but we need certain information to evaluate your qualifications. You may apply using a resume, the Optional Application for Federal Employment, or any other application form you choose, including an SF*-171, Application for Federal Employment. See page 3 for further instructions. (Note: If you use an SF-171, do not answer questions 38-47. Job finalists will be asked to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.)

2)  Clearly describe in your resume or application your work experience, education and/or training as it relates to this vacancy. It is very important that you fully address how your work experience and education/training meet both the specialized experience requirement and the selective factors. This information will be used to determine whether or not you are qualified for this vacancy. Selective factors establish qualifications to be eligible to compete for the position.

Quality-Ranking Factors are not mandatory but are used to determine the highest qualified candidates among those eligible to compete for the position. Therefore, it is to your benefit to provide a full description of your experience and education/training relative to the job requirements of this vacancy.

3)  Current Federal employees should submit a copy of their most recent annual performance appraisal. 

4)  Applications must be submitted to one of the addresses below and must be received or postmarked by the closing date.

Send your application to:
Smithsonian Institution
Office of Human Resources
Branch 1
P.O. Box 23762
Washington, DC 20026-3762

OR
Bring your application to:
Smithsonian Institution
Office of Human Resources
955 L'Enfant Plaza, SW. Suite 2100
Washington, DC 20560
(Hours: M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

To obtain information on the Federal Hiring Process, hear about other Smithsonian vacancies, or request vacancy announcements, an Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-61 2), or an SF171, call our automated Jobline on (202) 287-3102 (accessible 24 hours, 7 days a week).

For further information please call (202) 287-2494 (voice) or (202) 287-3498 (TTY).

========================================================Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://museums.state.nm.us/nmmnh/museum-l.html. You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
[log in to unmask] The body of the message should read "Signoff
Museum-L" (without the quotes).