Program Support Assistant
Program Support Assistant
Location: Manhattan, KS (Onsite)
Employment Type: Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (excluding Federal holidays)
Contract: USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) – Center for Grain and Animal Health Research (CGAHR)
Position Summary
Cetechs is seeking a highly organized and professional Program Support Assistant to provide administrative support to multiple research units at the USDA Agricultural Research Service's Center for Grain and Animal Health Research (CGAHR) in Manhattan, Kansas. This position supports scientific and administrative staff by ensuring daily office operations run efficiently while maintaining compliance with federal administrative procedures.
This is an onsite position supporting the following USDA research units:
Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit (ABADRU)
Hard Winter Wheat Genetics Research Unit (HWWGRU)
Grain Quality & Structure Research Unit (GQSRU)
Stored Product Insect & Engineering Research Unit (SPIERU)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The selected candidate will provide administrative and office support including:
Answer telephones and greet visitors
Manage calendars and schedule appointments
Coordinate meetings and conference rooms
Prepare correspondence, reports, memoranda, invoices, and other documents
Draft, edit, and proofread communications
Maintain electronic and paper filing systems
Process incoming and outgoing mail
Assist with bookkeeping and account tracking
Maintain office records and documentation
Support multiple managers and scientific staff with day-to-day administrative functions
Perform other administrative duties as assigned in support of USDA operations.
Required Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent (Associate's degree preferred)
Minimum 2–3 years of administrative or executive support experience
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Professional customer service and interpersonal skills
Ability to prioritize multiple assignments independently
Experience maintaining confidential information
Strong attention to detail
Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 including:
Outlook
Word
Excel
PowerPoint
Teams
Basic accounting, bookkeeping, or invoice processing experience
Ability to quickly learn new computer systems and software.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting Federal Government offices
Experience working in scientific, laboratory, university, or research environments
Knowledge of federal administrative procedures
Security Requirements
Applicants must:
Be a U.S. Citizen
Successfully obtain and maintain a USDA Public Trust background investigation
Meet all USDA personnel security requirements prior to beginning work.
Work Environment
100% onsite
Standard office environment
Government-furnished workstation and equipment
No travel required.
Desired Skills
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
Excellent organizational abilities
Independent decision-making
Professional written communication
Strong customer service skills
Attention to detail
Reliability and dependability
Ability to manage competing priorities
Collaborative teamwork
Professionalism in a Federal work environment.
Why Join Cetechs?
Cetechs is a trusted federal contractor dedicated to supporting government agencies with exceptional professionals. We offer a collaborative work environment, competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, paid federal holidays, and opportunities to contribute to the mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its nationally recognized agricultural research programs.
iMpZXFZq6E