TDA - FND - Administrative Support Specialist - USDA (56917)

The Texas Department of Agriculture's (TDA) Food and Nutrition Division administers 12 federal child and special nutrition and more than $2.5 billion in federal money annually used to fund the programs for the State of Texas. These programs aim to reduce hunger, encourage strong nutrition, and support local economies across Texas. 

Telework Option: TDA does not offer telework, and all employees are required to be physically present for work. The agency¿s core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Location: This position will report to the following TDA location: Austin, TX

WHAT YOU¿LL DO: The Food & Nutrition (F&N) Administrative Support Specialist will perform routine technical program assistance and administrative support work for the field offices of the Food and Nutrition (F&N) Division of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency. Your work involves completion of general quality assurance pertaining to agency communication style guidelines, and to support the Contracting Entity review notification processes. You will work under moderate supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 

Provide technical support and complete general quality assurance reviews of information included in assigned Contracting Entity (CE) Administrative Review (AR) Notices; prepare, edit, proof and distribute correspondence, reports, forms, studies and documents in compliance with agency and section processes and procedures.

Schedule and monitor employment interviews for division management, assist in preparing the interview packet, which includes the interview questions, skills exercise, scoring matrix. 

Provide technical assistance to staff, Contracting Entities (CEs), and other stakeholders regarding the CE review notification process, TXUNPS access and general applications, and general program resource materials available to CEs via SquareMeals.org.

Open, review, route and track incoming mail; process outgoing mail; and coordinate and prepare mail-outs for various programs to provide to TDA staff and/or the public.

Maintain a tracking system(s) for monitoring office operations; assist with ordering and maintaining an adequate inventory of office supplies for the assigned TDA F&N Office; and complete purchase requests and receiving reports for the assigned TDA F&N Office. Create and maintain databases; compile statistical data; prepare various charts, graphs and written summaries; assist in preparing division reports; develop, coordinate and maintain record keeping and filing system for correspondence, forms, reports and documents in accordance with Agency Records Management Policy; may serve as the records coordinator for an assigned TDA F&N Field Office.

Plan and schedule meetings and/or conferences; may assist in scheduling travel arrangements and preparing travel vouchers for staff, as assigned.

Serve as or assist in serving as a receptionist for the assigned TDA F&N office, as needed; answer phone calls and greet guests to office; and take messages or refer calls to the appropriate staff.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

To be considered for the position, applicants must submit a State of Texas Application through CAPPS or WIT - experience listed on the CAPPS application must state how each of the following qualifications are met:

Bachelor's Degree (One year of work experience related to the primary responsibilities may substitute for one year of college.)

One (1) year work experience providing technical/administrative support for a program(s).

Valid Texas driver's license and an acceptable driving record.

One (1) year of professional experience working for a government entity.

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; and office practices and administrative procedures. 

Skill in providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers; the use of a computer and applicable software; and effective verbal and written communication, human relations, and organizational skills.

Ability to work in a setting requiring self-motivation/cooperative decision-making and to work effectively with diverse groups of people; effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail; multi-task in a fast-paced environment; to prepare reports; exercise sound judgment and discretion; and maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: This position will work in a normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping, and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel (20%*), occasionally overnight.

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. 

H-1B Visa Sponsorship 

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Background Checks

A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.

*A valid government-issued driver's license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver's license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day

Foreign Credentials

Upload an evaluation of your coursework if you have obtained a degree(s) from a school outside of the United States; otherwise, we cannot give you credit for your degree. Some organizations that provide evaluation services are:

Foreign Credential Services of America

1910 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757-2411
Phone: 512-459-8428

SpanTran: The Evaluation Company

2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451 Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713-266-8805

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.

P.O. Box 9203 College Station, TX 77842
Phone: 512-528-0908

Apply online via CAPPS Careers. Applicants applying through Work In Texas (WIT) will be required to complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section to be considered for the position. 

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview. 

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Careers Section, you may check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and then selecting My Submissions. To be considered for the position, applicants must complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423.  Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7423 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance in translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor's Office at Program Management MOS Codes.