ACN/EXBS Program Support Specialist - Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

ACN/EXBS – EXBS Program Support Specialist \- Personal Services Contractor (PSC)

Company: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation

Location: Washington, D.C. 20520

Industries: Government

Job Type: Full Time

Years of Experience: 2\+ Years

Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree (desired)

Career Level: Entry level (non\-manager)

Salary: $84,601 \- $131,826 (GS\-11, Step 1 to GS\-12, Step 10\)

Number of Positions: One (1\)

Security Clearance Level: Secret

Duty Location: Washington, D.C.

Travel Required (Y/N \& Percentage): Occasional local travel within the Washington, D.C. area may be required

Remote (Y/N): No

Telework Eligible (Y/N \& Details): No

Overview:

The Office of Export Controls and Border Security (EXBS) is at the cutting edge of U.S. national security and global economic leadership. EXBS forges powerful partnerships with foreign governments to elevate export control systems to U.S. standards, ensuring American innovation and business can thrive worldwide. At the same time, EXBS deploys robust customs and border enforcement strategies to block adversaries from accessing the world’s most sensitive technologies and commodities. From shaping the protection of advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence to intercepting illicit transfers of dual\-use goods, EXBS is instrumental in preventing the diversion of critical technologies and disrupting adversary WMD and military programs. EXBS’s work spans export controls, foreign direct investment screening, and high\-impact enforcement, ensuring that America’s technological edge remains secure.

The Program Support Specialist is a key member of the team and reports to the Operations Chief. The incumbent provides support for a broad range of administrative activities.

Job Description:

THIS IS A NON\-PERMANENT POSITION. YOU DO NOT ACQUIRE COMPETITIVE OR EXCEPTED SERVICE STATUS FROM THIS POSITION.

This is a Personal Services Contract (PSC) position located in the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, Office of Export Controls and Border Security (ACN/EXBS) at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. The selected individual will serve as the ACN/EXBS Program Support Specialist reporting to the Operations Chief of ACN/EXBS.

The ACN/EXBS Program Support Specialist will serve as a key member of the EXBS team. The incumbent is responsible for managing office operations, to include maintaining the Director and other office leadership’s calendars, updating and deconflicting shared office calendars on a regular basis, managing timekeeping records for assigned staff, managing Director’s travel, serving as the main point\-of\-contact for ACN/EXBS staff visa assistance and passport needs, working with the office leadership on resolving office space issues and needs, submitting IT work orders for new equipment and repairs, interfacing with language services for translation and interpretation as needed, and providing accurate and timely advice on procedures, reports, requirements, and instructions in managing the daily administrative activities of the office. The incumbent is also responsible for ordering and provisioning office supplies and equipment.

Core duties and responsibilities include:

Director Support and Scheduling: Serve as primary scheduler for ACN/EXBS Director; arrange and facilitate meeting and conference logistics and technology needs (both in\-person and virtual), reserve meeting rooms, take notes, and follow up on due\-outs as needed.

Travel Management: Manage Director's travel including securing passports and visas, making travel arrangements, preparing travel orders and vouchers, requesting e\-country clearance, securing business class accommodations when authorized, resolving issues, assisting with receipt reconciliation for submission of travel reimbursement, and completing related requests. Serve as point person for obtaining passports and visas for ACN/EXBS staff assigned domestically and liaise with Post and EXBS Advisors on preparing forms and gaining approvals for staff assigned at Post. Advise ACN/EXBS staff on travel policies and regulations.

Office Reception and Security: Serve as primary point of contact for ACN/EXBS office visitors and guests. Greet and assist visitors, coordinate escort duties for uncleared staff and guests, manage visitor access requests and security protocols, maintain visitor logs and escort schedules, and ensure professional representation of the office and compliance with security requirements. Act as Unit Security officer: develop and maintain office end\-of\-day checkout process and check\-out Sheets; maintain classified safe inventory; communicate security related policies to EXBS staff on a routine basis; engage with bureau security officer as necessary.

Personnel Management: Coordinate onboarding and offboarding processes for ACN/EXBS staff. Facilitate new employee integration including building access, IT equipment, workspace setup, and required training; manage offboarding procedures including scheduling exit interviews, property retrieval, and knowledge transfer. Maintain standard operating procedures, checklists, and timelines to ensure smooth personnel transitions.

Program Review Event Coordination: Serve as Program Review Coordinator for ACN/EXBS staff and Advisor review events and other large\-scale overseas or domestic engagements. Plan and execute all aspects of program review events from initial concept through completion, including researching and pricing venue and logistics options, drafting decision memos for Front Office approval, coordinating with vendors and service providers, setting agendas, inviting attendees, and monitoring implementer performance. Manage timelines, budgets, and stakeholder communications to ensure successful event execution.

Records and Information Management: Lead records management efforts including organizational charts and contact lists; ensure electronic and paper files are maintained and organized. Develop, update, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and templates for commonly used documents, ensuring templates are user\-friendly and meet Department standards. Manage EXBS vehicle inventory overseas, maintain logs, and liaise with forward\-deployed advisors and post's general services office (GSO) on periodic updates to EXBS vehicle reports. Act as point of contact to compile end\-use monitoring reports submitted by advisors and locally employed staff. Manage property transfer agreement (PTA) processing by serving as liaison with field staff to collect and provide signed PTAs, ensuring PTAs are in proper format and in accordance with the PTA SOP, and maintaining the PTA tracker.

General Administrative Support: Provide the office with a wide range of logistical and administrative support functions, requiring knowledge of the office's mission, program goals and objectives, processes, and sequence and timing of key administrative events and milestones. Support day\-to\-day operations including compiling, tracking, and analyzing data; developing and establishing new or modified work methods, procedures, and guidelines; coordinating implementation of new office policies and systems; interacting with internal staff and external stakeholders; and preparing complex and sensitive correspondence. Manage general office administrative duties including receiving and distributing mail and deliveries, obtaining and distributing office supplies, advising office leadership on administrative needs, preparing and submitting requests for supplies, services/maintenance, equipment, and printing, monitoring request status, and managing office inventories on expendable and non\-expendable supplies and furnishings records for budget allocation purposes.

Other Duties: Complete special projects and perform other related duties as may be assigned by ACN/EXBS.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants applying for the GS\-11 grade level.

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

A. At the GS\-11 equivalent level, applicant must have at least one (1\) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS\-09 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. The individual performs these tasks under general supervision by Director and other senior\-level staff, demonstrating thorough knowledge of ACN/EXBS Office mission with latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience providing general receptionist, administrative, personnel and travel support to managers and/or customers.
• Experience with databases and software input and retrieve data for record and information management.

OR B. Have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M. from an accredited college or university.

OR C. Have a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience (as described above), which is equivalent to the GS\-09 level in the Federal Service. This experience and education together meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

Combination of Experience and Education: When an applicant has less than one year of specialized experience as described in the announcement, he or she may combine successfully completed graduate\-level education with experience to meet the total qualification requirements. Generally, 18 graduate semester hours is equivalent to 1 full\-time year of graduate study (your school and department determine what constitutes 1 full time year of graduate study). The percentage of specialized work experience and the percentage of graduate study must total at least 100%.

Note: All applicants WILL BE required to submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement, if applicable. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you may lose consideration for this position.

Applicants applying for the GS\-12 grade level

At the GS\-12 equivalent level, applicant must have at least one (1\) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS\-11 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. The individual performs these tasks under general supervision, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, demonstrating an intimate grasp of the specialized and complex subject matter related to ACN/EXBS mission. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Advanced experience providing general receptionist, administrative, personnel and travel support to managers and/or customers.
• Advanced experience with databases and software input and retrieve data for record and information management.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS\-12 position.

ADDITIONAL DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, collaborative work style, and strong interpersonal and team skills.
• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, implement, and evaluate program activities and policies. In addition, the ability to communicate, and address project risks.
• Ability to work independently with minimal need for close supervision.
• Active Secret security clearance.
• Familiarity with U.S. nonproliferation and foreign policy objectives.
• Familiarity with Department of State and/or U.S. government processes.

EDUCATION: See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements.

When an applicant has less than one year of specialized experience as described in the announcement, he or she may combine successfully completed graduate\-level education with experience to meet the total qualification requirements. Generally, 18 graduate semester hours is equivalent to 1 full\-time year of graduate study (your school and department determine what constitutes 1 full time year of graduate study). The percentage of specialized work experience (for example, 6 months equals 50%) and the percentage of graduate study (for example, 9 graduate hours for a GS\-07 equals 50% where 18 graduate hours constitute a full time year) must total at least 100%.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

U.S. Citizenship is required. Individual must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Individual must be willing to perform local travel within the 5\-10 miles radius of Washington, D.C. on an occasional basis.

BENEFITS:

Annual and Sick Leave

The Contractor will accrue and request annual and sick leave (paid time off) in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations. For full\-time employees, annual leave accrual rates start at 4 hours every biweekly pay period, while sick leave accrual is 4 hours every pay period. Those entering on duty with prior military service and/or federal service can credit their years of service for higher annual leave accrual rates.

The employee will also be paid for federal holidays that fall within their regularly scheduled tour of duty.

Health \& Life Insurance Reimbursement

If eligible: The individual selected will be provided a contribution (reimbursement) of 72 percent against the Contractor’s health insurance premium costs toward either an individual or family policy, subject to an annual cap on the maximum contribution, provided that such costs may not exceed the maximum U.S. Government contribution for direct\-hire personnel as announced annually by OPM. The Contractor will also be provided a contribution (reimbursement) of 50 percent against the actual costs of an individual annual life insurance policy not to exceed $500\.00 per year.

The Contracting Officer will confirm the individual’s contribution is compliant with the contract requirements prior to submitting for reimbursement. Proof of health and life insurance coverage, including a receipt showing the individual’s payment for coverage, shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer before any contribution is paid.

401K Plan: A non\-matching, privately administered 401(k) plan is available through the Department.

Relocation Assistance Available: None

How to Apply:

Please apply through BetterTeam.com and submit the following as *a single attachment: Cover Letter.

• Resume.
• School Transcript(s).
• A list of at least three (3\) professional references.
• Writing Sample.

Failure to submit a complete package may disqualify the applicant from consideration.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

All required documents listed, that are applicable to you, must be submitted through BetterTeam.com by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

• Resume limited to two pages showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.
• Transcripts, if applicable and you are qualifying based on education. See the Qualification and Education sections of this announcement for more information. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment.

HOW APPLICANTS WILL BE EVALUATED

Applicants will be evaluated for this job based on how well the applicants meets the qualifications above.

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants will be evaluated against the requirements outlined in this announcement. References will only be contacted with applicant’s permission following an interview.

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume limited to two (2\) pages will be conducted and evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications for this position. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will conduct a review of applicant resumes to determine if qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience are well described and demonstrated. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., links embedded in your resume will not be opened.).

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. ACN/EXBS does not make assumptions regarding your experience. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials may result in your removal from consideration.

State/ACN/EXBS expects to screen and interview candidates within seven (7\) days after the close of this announcement. ONLY APPLICANTS SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED. Offers of employment will be dependent on ability to obtain security clearance through the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security bureau.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. There may be unanticipated vacancies that occur during the period of this job posting or soon after its close. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in this ACN/EXBS for up to 240 days and may require a Secret security clearance or higher.

For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at OAA@state.gov.

Note: This is a Personal Services Contract. This is NOT a federal direct\-hire position.

Vacancy announcement will close after 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026\.**