Program Support Assistant

Location: Manhattan, Kansas (On-site) Client: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Employment Type: Full-Time | Contract Work Authorization: U.S. Citizenship required. Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a favorable USDA Public Trust background investigation. Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2026 (Contingent Upon Contract Award) How to Apply To apply, please submit your resume to the employer or complete the application form below. Email Subject: Program Support Assistant – Manhattan, Kansas Job Summary WINTrio LLC is seeking a highly organized and dependable Program Support Assistant to provide onsite administrative support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at the Center for Grain and Animal Health Research in Manhattan, Kansas. The successful candidate will support multiple scientific research units by coordinating day-to-day administrative operations, maintaining records, preparing correspondence, scheduling meetings, and facilitating communication between research personnel, management, and external stakeholders. This role requires excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, professionalism, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative Federal research environment. Job Responsibilities Answer telephone calls and professionally greet office visitors. Schedule appointments, maintain calendars, and coordinate meetings. Organize, sort, and distribute incoming and outgoing mail. Prepare correspondence, reports, memoranda, invoices, emails, and other administrative documents. Draft, edit, proofread, and format letters, reports, instructional materials, and official communications. Create, organize, and maintain electronic and physical filing systems. Support bookkeeping activities, account management, billing, and invoice preparation. Coordinate administrative support for meetings, events, and office activities. Track administrative deadlines, appointments, action items, and deliverables. Maintain accurate records and ensure proper document management. Collaborate with administrators, scientists, management, support staff, and external stakeholders. Perform general office administration and other clerical duties as assigned. Required Qualifications High school diploma required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred. Previous experience providing administrative support, office coordination, or comparable administrative services. Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Excellent writing, editing, grammar, and proofreading abilities. Strong organizational, time management, and multitasking skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting established deadlines. Ability to exercise sound judgment and make independent decisions regarding routine administrative matters. Working knowledge of bookkeeping, invoice processing, accounting support, or billing functions. Ability to quickly learn new software applications and administrative procedures. Ability and willingness to work full-time onsite in Manhattan, Kansas. U.S. Citizenship required. Ability to obtain and maintain a favorable USDA Public Trust background investigation. Technical Areas Administrative Support Office Administration Executive Support Calendar Management Meeting Coordination Correspondence Management Office Operations Records & Documentation Records Management Document Control Electronic Filing Physical File Management Report Preparation Data Entry Financial & Administrative Support Bookkeeping Invoice Preparation Billing Support Account Management Administrative Tracking Communication & Coordination Customer Service Stakeholder Coordination Professional Correspondence Event Coordination Administrative Scheduling Tools & Platforms Microsoft Office Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Teams Office Administration Office 365 Electronic Filing Systems Calendar Management Document Management Systems Administrative Tools Email Management Scheduling Systems Office Equipment Administrative Software Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting USDA or other Federal Government agencies. Experience supporting scientific, agricultural, laboratory, research, or technical organizations. Experience working within a Federal office environment. Experience maintaining executive calendars and coordinating meetings. Experience preparing official Government correspondence and reports. Experience supporting bookkeeping, invoice processing, records management, or account administration. Existing favorable Federal or USDA background determination is preferred but not required. Compensation Anticipated base wage of $29.99 per hour or higher. Health and Welfare (H&W) benefits provided in accordance with the applicable Federal Wage Determination. Final compensation and benefits will be confirmed upon contract award and candidate selection. Work Environment Full-time, onsite position. Work location: USDA Agricultural Research Service, 1515 College Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66506. Standard business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Remote work is not authorized. Travel is not required. Government-furnished workspace, computer equipment, monitors, and administrative supplies will be provided. Employment is contingent upon contract award, successful background investigation, and USDA approval. WINTrio Benefits Healthcare (Medical, Dental, and Vision) Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) 401(k) and Retirement Savings Plan Annual Bonus and Profit Sharing Opportunities Paid Time Off (PTO) and Vacation Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Life, Personal, and Voluntary Disability Insurance Growth Opportunities This position offers opportunities to support mission-critical USDA research programs while gaining valuable experience in Federal administration, records management, program coordination, and scientific research support. At WINTrio, we foster an employee-driven culture that values professionalism, collaboration, continuous learning, and career growth. Equal Opportunity Employer WINTrio LLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.