Federal

Support Services Specialist

๐Ÿ“ Gaithersburg, Maryland ZA-2 $70,623 - $111,087/yr
Posted: May 19, 2026 Deadline: May 26, 2026 (Closes in 5 days)

About This Position

NIST is seeking a Support Services Specialist to plan, coordinate, and carry out a variety of support services for the National Construction Safety Team (NCST), the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP), and the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP).

Qualifications

All applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 (ZA-I for NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience with problem-solving and critical thinking within Windows and MS Office environments-specifically in building complex Excel models with formulas and pivot tables. Experience in workshop facilitation, AV coordination, and comprehensive administrative oversight using CPCS, E2, and WebTA. Proven ability to draft, edit, and finalize high-level correspondence and official documentation. OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education.

OR

Master's or equivalent graduate degree, e.g., LL.B.

OR

J.D., related to the position.

OR

A combination of education and experience as described above. 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. 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

Major Duties

The employee of this position will plan, coordinate, and carry out a variety of support services for the National Construction Safety Team (NCST), the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP), and the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP). They also will: Perform work-supporting service functions including the procurement of deployment safety supplies, inventory management, and distribution of safety equipment to subject matter experts at disaster locations. Act as a key liaison for the national programs and facilitates high-stakes engagements and coordination with senior officials from NIST and other entities.

Develop, format, and analyze mandated reporting, including SOP's, biennial reports, and Congressional reports, ensuring documentation meets requirements.

Education

This position allows applicants to qualify with education. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package.

However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment. Foreign Education Evaluation: If your education was completed outside of the United States, it must be evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure it is comparable to education received in accredited U.S. institutions. Required Documentation: You must include a copy of your foreign education evaluation-including a course-by-course listing-with your application.

Resources: You may click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with a course-by-course listing) is required with your application.

How You Will Be Evaluated

We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position. Please be sure that your resume and supporting documents include detailed information to support your qualifications for this position. Failure to provide sufficient and/or legible evidence in your resume or supporting documents may result in a "not qualified" determination.

You MUST select at least ONE eligibility (i.e., how you wish to be considered) to receive consideration for this position. Rating: Applications will be assessed on the following competencies: Information Management Customer Service Planning and Evaluating If the minimum qualifications and eligibility requirements are met, your application will be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals, or awards relevant to the duties of the position.

Your rating may be lowered if your responses in the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application. To preview the questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12962334 Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration.

You may be required to participate in a selection interview.

You will be referred depending upon your eligibility (i.e., Merit candidate, veterans preference, etc). Please review the Evaluation Process on how applicants are review and referred based upon how they wish to be considered for the position. CTAP or ICTAP eligibility: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that

in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority - CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility

Additional Information

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here! We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.

Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.

You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position. All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations. A probationary period may be required.

If the selection results in a temporary promotion, it can be extended not to exceed five years or made permanent without further competition. NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities.

For more information, please visit our Careers website.

How to Apply

Click 'Apply' and we'll walk you through a multi-step process to attach a resume and any required documents. While working an application, you may review, edit, delete and update information.

You must complete the online application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the closing date of the announcement. Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The Human Resources Office will evaluate your application to determine your eligibility for the position.

After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. Need help applying? If you are experiencing any difficulties with the online application process (anything after you have clicked the 'Apply Online' button), please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement between regular business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

ET). If you receive any kind of error message, please be ready to provide a screenshot or, at a minimum, the error message text and number. We will provide you with a technical support number for further assistance if necessary.

If you are having trouble with USAJOBS (searching for jobs, account password/profile issues, or Resume Builder), please visit the USAJOBS Resource Center. We regret that we are unable to support any issues with USAJOBS, as this service is not maintained by the NIST. If you are experiencing a significant hardship that hinders your ability to apply online, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement prior to the vacancy closing date and during regular business hours to discuss your situation.

Required Documents

The documents required vary based on how you're applying (i.e., as a veteran or disabled veteran, current or former Federal employee, etc.). Please review the Required Documents for this position to find out if there are any documents required with your application. Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.

A complete application includes: 1) A resume, 2) vacancy question responses, and 3) submission of any required documents. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, or if the documents submitted are illegible you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible). Resume: All applicants must submit a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their choosing.

Cover letters are optional. To receive any credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and the number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.

Please refer to the Resume Guidance on how to build an effective resume. Only resumes up to 2 pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding 2 pages will be removed from consideration. Reference the USAJobs Help Center for additional recommendations and instructions.

Reinstatement: If you are a former federal employee (separated from Federal service for at least 1 year) and wish to be non-competitively reinstated for a higher grade or full performance level than which you left federal employment, you MUST provide a copy of your separation SF-50 (the "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2") AND the last performance appraisal you received from your federal employment which shows at least a fully successful rating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Support Services Specialist position at National Institute of Standards and Technology?
The salary range for this position is $70,623 - $111,087/yr. This is a ZA-2 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Support Services Specialist job located?
This position is located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
This position allows applicants to qualify with education. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment. Foreign Education Evaluation: If your education was completed outside of the United States, it must be evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure it is comparable to education received in accredited U.S. institutions. Required Documentation: You must include a copy of your foreign education evaluation-including a course-by-course listing-with your application. Resources: You may click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with a course-by-course listing) is required with your application.
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is May 26, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.