Business Operations Specialist

Summary

NIST is seeking highly motivated Administrative Officers to support critical scientific, technical, and operational programs through strategic coordination of administrative and business operations. These positions play a key role in ensuring effective financial management, workforce support, acquisitions, travel, and organizational operations that enable mission success, informed decision‑making, and efficient execution of program objectives across the organization.

In this position, you will:

• Coordinate and manage administrative and operational activities in support of organizational programs, priorities, and mission objectives.
• Administer and monitor budget and financial activities, including tracking expenditures, analyzing funding usage, and supporting budget planning and execution.
• Advise managers and staff on administrative policies, procedures, and organizational processes related to acquisitions, travel, human resources, financial management, and other operational activities.
• Prepare and coordinate acquisition requests, interagency agreements, travel actions, and other administrative transactions in accordance with agency policies and regulations.
• Analyze administrative processes, identify operational issues, and develop recommendations or solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Utilize automated systems, databases, spreadsheets, and reporting tools to track, analyze, and communicate organizational and financial information.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to support organizational operations, resolve issues, and ensure timely completion of administrative activities.
• Independently manage multiple priorities and provide responsive administrative support in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment.

To qualify for the ZA‑II, applicants must possess one of the following:

A. Possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS‑07 (ZA‑I at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience providing administrative and operational support for an organization, including activities related to budget tracking, travel coordination, acquisitions, human resources support, property management, records management, or other administrative program functions.
• Experience coordinating multiple administrative activities, applying organizational policies and procedures, and communicating with managers, staff, and stakeholders.

B. Master’s or equivalent graduate degree.
C. Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.
D. LL.B. or J.D.
E. A combination of graduate education and experience.

To qualify for the ZA‑III, applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized equivalent to at least the GS‑11 (ZA‑II at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience independently coordinating and managing administrative and operational functions for an organization, including budget planning and execution, financial management, acquisitions, travel management, human resources administration, property management, and other organizational support activities.
• Experience coordinating multiple administrative activities, applying organizational policies and procedures, and communicating with managers, staff, and stakeholders.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) 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.