Download Vacancy Announcement (PDF) - Public Defender Service

Vacancy Announcement - PDS 2013-05
PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Administrative Operations Assistant (Program Operations)
Office Manager
PDS-0303-8/9 (GS-8/9 Equivalent)
Opening Date: April 3, 2013 Closing Date: April 18, 2013
Location:
Public Defender Service
633 Indiana Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
PDS Overview: The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is a federally funded,
independent organization governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees. PDS has approximately 200
employees, most of who work at the main office at 633 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. PDS’s
staff consists of approximately 100 attorneys and approximately 100 social workers, investigators,
administrative, and technical staff, all dedicated to protecting the legal rights of indigent people accused
of crimes or facing a deprivation of liberty. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees
are entitled to participate in certain federal benefits plans: federal retirement, health and life insurance,
and Thrift Savings Plan. Transferring employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for
leave accrual and retirement purposes. The Administrative Operations Assistant position is located in the
Investigations Division of PDS. Employment at the Public Defender Service is not federal employment.
Promotion Potential: If filled at the PDS Grade 8 level, the incumbent may be promoted to the PDS Grade 9
level without further competition and with concurrence of the PDS Division Chief of Investigations.
Major Duties: The incumbent is responsible for the effective management of all matters related to
administrative programs and transactions processing within the Division. The incumbent provides
support in a variety of administrative areas including, but not limited to, office management; human
resources transactions; time and attendance recording; contract monitoring; travel management of the
division travel program; records management; budget and record keeping; recruitment support;
procurement and contracting relating to division contracts and purchases; coordination of staff training;
and other administrative work. The incumbent also oversees the work of support employees such as the
internship program assistant and/or temporary contract staff who perform work in an administrative
function. The incumbent provides direct support and coordinates support for Staff Investigators. The
incumbent reports to the Division Chief and Deputy Division Chief.
Specialized Experience Required:
Grade 08: Experience serving as the principle administrative support staff to management level official(s)
or comparably positioned individual(s) performing a wide variety of administrative support functions (as
described in the Major Duties above) including procurement, contracting, budget/finance, human
resources, office automation tools, maintaining calendars, scheduling meetings, preparing travel
authorizations and vouchers, records management, etc. Experience claimed should be supported in your
resume.
Grade 09: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience that has equipped you with the particular
knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position as described in this
announcement. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-08
(or equivalent) level in the Federal Government or equivalent organization.

Other Requirement:
Incumbent must have no criminal convictions as defined in D.C. Code Sec. 14.305(b)(1) (Impeachment
by evidence of conviction of crime).
Qualifications Desired: Knowledge of the basic objectives and policies governing the PDS
Investigations Division, the Criminal Law Internship Program, and the Criminal Justice Act Investigator
Certification Program. Practical knowledge of Investigation Division Criminal Law Internship Program,
and the CJA Investigator Certification Program standardized processes and procedures for evaluating
program operations to perform duties such as planning the steps to take to complete assignments,
identifying problems from collected data, and selecting solutions from alternatives in guidelines and
precedent cases. Experience as a team lead/supervisor or main contact to advise lower graded employees
is also desirable.
Cover Letter: Applicants should submit a detailed cover letter describing how they meet the qualifications
cited above and what their experience is in the following areas:
- Knowledge of PDS missions/programs, functions, priorities, policies, precedents, goals,
objectives, regulations and guidelines;
- Demonstrated ability in fact finding, analysis and problem solving to gather facts, identify
problems and recommend solutions;
- Skill in the use of personal computers and information systems (e.g., financial data systems,
human resources payroll systems, etc.) to transact business, to independently conduct research,
and manage data on a recurring basis;
- Strong oral and written communication skills;
- A basic foundation of administrative concepts, principles, and practices sufficient to perform
independently such duties as eliminating conflict and duplication in extensive office procedures;
determining when new procedures are needed systemically studying and evaluating established
procedures and recommending acceptance or alteration of their use;
- Knowledge and understanding of management principles, practices, methods and techniques to
conduct assessments and reviews and skill in integrating various administrative/management
services with the general management of an organization.
How to Apply: Applicants must submit a cover letter and a resume with an email address, by mail or
hand delivery to the Public Defender Service, Human Resources Department, Attn: PDS #2013-5, 633
Indiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20004; by email with a WORD document attachment to
PDSHRmailbox@pdsdc.org. The vacancy number and title of the vacancy MUST APPEAR in the
subject line of the email. Failure to do so may prevent your application from being considered. All
submitted application materials, documents, pages, etc., must clearly list the applicant’s name. All
application materials become the property of PDS and will not be returned. Visit the PDS website at
www.pdsdc.org
PDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer