Program Support Assistant Jobs in Gurnee, IL (NOW HIRING)

Summary
About the Position: The U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command, headquartered in North Chicago, IL, is a jointly staffed command, staffed by representatives of all branches of the Armed Forces. The command, through its 66 military processing locations (Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS)/Remote Processing Stations (RPS)), determines whether applicants are qualified for enlistment based on standards set by each of the services.
This position will be filled permanently.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help

• As an Administrative Support Assistant (Office Automation), you will:
• Participate in the development of Directorate clerical/administrative policy in administrative support areas by researching prior publications, regulations, and recommending new policies and/or changes.
• Formulate and recommend changes in administrative support policies/procedures to obtain maximum effectiveness
• Prepare correspondence covering subjects of an administrative nature, both internal and external
• Utilize computer equipment/applications to prepare a variety of documents (correspondence, reports, charts, statistical tables, etc.) for the Directorate.
• Maintain an electronic suspense system
• Perform timekeeping duties
• Coordinate travel arrangements and prepare documents for staff
• Facilitate and manage internal meetings for the Directorate
• Ensure Directorate Intranet is kept up to date
• Duties are at the full performance level. If selected at the GS-5 or GS-6 level, you will perform duties under closer supervision, leading to the full performance level.

Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position has been designated as non-sensitive and requires a personnel security investigation.

Qualifications
Management may select at any of the grade levels announced. This recruitment provides promotion opportunity to the target grade of the position without further competition when selectee is eligible and recommended by management.
Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

• 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
• Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
• Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
• Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
• People with Disabilities, Schedule A
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• Reinstatement
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience and/or education requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Specialized Experience for the GS-05: To qualify based on your experience, your resume must clearly describe at least one year of experience which prepared you to do the work in this job. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, including: Maintaining files to ensure accurate recordkeeping; Entering data into automated systems, such as timekeeping or travel arrangement systems, to assist office staff; Maintaining electronic office calendars for the office staff; Utilizing written and oral communications to inform office staff regarding administrative procedures; Preparing a variety of documents for the office utilizing automation software and applications. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the Federal service (GS-04).
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you may qualify if your education meets the definitions below:
Education Substitution for the GS-05: Successful completion of four years of education above the high school level obtained in an accredited business, secretarial, or technical school, junior college, college, or university. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
Combination of Education and Experience for the GS-05: Possess the specialized experience for the GS-05, but less than one year; and possess some education above the high school level, but less that the required four years. The computed percentage of the requirements must total at least 100 percent. To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of education beyond two year (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
Specialized Experience for the GS-06: To qualify based on your experience, your resume must clearly describe at least one year of experience which prepared you to do the work in this job. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, including: Reviewing changes to policies affecting administrative functions to properly advise staff; Screening visitors/telephone calls and directing to appropriate office; Maintaining a suspense file on correspondence to ensure a timely response and completion of actions; Reviewing correspondence, messages, reports, and other communications to correct grammatical and informational errors; Preparing travel orders/vouchers for office staff; Inputting/Monitoring timekeeping information in an electronic timekeeping system. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the Federal service (GS-05).
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, at the GS-6 level, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience aloneno substitution of education for experience is permitted.
Specialized Experience for the GS-07: To qualify based on your experience, your resume must clearly describe at least one year of experience which prepared you to do the work in this job. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, including: Assisting in resolving interdepartmental conflicts regarding administrative topics such as schedules, training, timekeeping, etc.; Providing responses to request for information such as reports statuses, suspense dates for matters requiring compliance; Developing reports and/or guidance on administrative functions for the office; Ensuing clerical/administrative functions of the supervisors' work are completed in accordance with established procedures, to allow them to focus on more substantive duties; Organizing files, records and other related material required for efficient offices procedures. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the Federal service (GS-06).
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, at the GS-7 level, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience aloneno substitution of education for experience is permitted.
QUALIFIED TYPIST: This position requires a typing proficiency of at least 40 words per minute (WPM) based on a 5-minute sample with 3 or fewer errors.
Time in Grade Requirements:
For GS-5: Applicants may not be promoted more than 2 grades above the lowest grade held within the preceding 52 weeks.
For GS-6: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-05).
For GS-7: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-06).
Education
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
In order to qualify for this position, based on your education, education substitution, or combination of education and experience, you must have either completed the education requirement, or will complete this requirement within thirty (30) days from the closing date of this announcement. If you will not complete this requirement within thirty (30) days of the closing date of this announcement, you will be rated as Not Qualified for this position.
You must provide appropriate documentation to reflect when you will meet the education requirement. Appropriate documentation includes: (1) Resume indicating your projected completion/graduation date; OR (2) Transcripts indicating your projected completion/graduation date; OR (3) A letter signed by the institution's registrar indicating your projected completion/graduation date.
Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a Huma Capital and Resource Management Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Recruitment/Relocation incentive may be authorized if determined to be in the best interest of the Federal Government and requirements are met.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

NOTE: On 4 October 2026, the US Military Processing Command (USMEPCOM) will officially align under the Department of War, transitioning from Department of the Army's oversight. Under this realignment, all current and future USMEPCOM personnel will transition into the Department of War (DoW) workforce. This structural realignment is a strategic update to ensure the USMEPCOM's joint-service processing mission is directly integrated with the highest levels of national defense readiness under the Department of War (DoW).
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government,