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Student Trainee (General)

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
St. Louis District, Operations, Readiness & Regulatory Division; Rend Lake Project Office
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.

About the Position:
Position(s) will be filled under the Department of the Army Pathways Intern Program. Click here for more information on Pathways program participation.

For this internship, you must be able to work full-time during the Summer Semester. Work hours are flexible based upon your school schedule.

This intern position is designed to prepare a student trainee for employment after graduation in positions such as a Park Ranger or Natural Resources Specialist. Interns will be assigned tasks designed to increase familiarity with the target occupation in a real world work environment.

This opportunity follows a standard promotional path:

  1. Internship selection will be made at the GS-02. This grade level is what a typical college student in their first year of college may qualify with the completion of a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
  2. Within 120 days after completion of Internship requirements, you may be eligible for conversion to the entry-level for the target occupation. Entry level for the target occupation is typically at grades such as the GS-05 or GS-07. The actual grade level at the time of conversion depends on academic achievement and other factors.
  3. The full performance level of this position will be at grades such as the GS-09 or GS-11.
  4. Progression from the entry-level to the full performance level for this occupation will depend on successful completion of all requirements for promotion.
  5. Promotions may be considered after a year at each grade level, but are not guaranteed to occur on a specific time schedule.
Incumbent may be promoted up to the target level (1) upon meeting all regulatory requirements; (2) upon meeting all training requirements; and (3) if there is higher level work at the target grade level. Consequently, promotion is not guaranteed.

See requirements for conversion to permanent or term position in the "Other Information" section below.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/15/2018 to 03/08/2018
Salary
$24,367 to - $30,671 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 2
Location
many vacancies in the following location:
Benton, IL
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Internships
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Announcement number
SWGI186073391554PI
Control number
491509100

Duties

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This position provides for development and training under the Pathways Internship Program. Intern assignments become more responsible as incumbent increases knowledge and skills through work experience and academic training. As an intern, you will be assigned to a senior natural resource specialist or group of park rangers. You will be assigned tasks designed to familiarize you with different aspects of the occupation. Tasks will vary depending on the senior specialist's current workload, but may include the following:

  • Inspect areas for needed repairs or maintenance.
  • Patrol an assigned area for detection of unauthorized use, vandalism, fire, theft, safety, etc.
  • Collect fees as required.
  • Maintain security and confidentiality of information.
  • Serve as a guide to visitors.
  • Provide information to visitors in a clear, understandable manner.
  • Carry out overall agency policies/procedures within the park to meet agency needs.
  • Work well with a team to meet the goals of an organization.
  • Explain the recreation program, laws, policies and local application as needed.
At the full-performance level, such as the GS-09 or GS-11, you will be expected to:
  • Advise visitors concerning safety, fire prevention, and proper use of recreations facilities.
  • Develop and conduct interpretive talks and guided tour programs.
  • Participate in the development of various planning documents, including Master Plans and Operational Management Plans (OMP), for management of the project's man-made and natural resources.
  • Assist with the coordination of short-range planning and execution of all activities related to recreation and park administration.
  • Participate in conservation, preservation, restoration and use of project natural and cultural resources.
  • Prescribe and implement resource management actions that promote biodiversity and native species re-establishment.
Progression from the entry-level to the full performance level for this occupation will depend on successful completion of all requirements for promotion. Promotions may be considered after a year at each grade level, but are not guaranteed to occur on a specific time schedule.

Non-Competitive promotion to the next level may be effected provided the incumbent is sufficiently experienced; meets all necessary qualification requirements for promotion to the target job; and is performing the full scope of the major duties and is functioning under the supervisory controls stated in the target job description.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • The incumbent of this position is required to be a current student in good standing and maintain a cumulative and term grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or equivalent for the duration of the Pathways Program.
  • The incumbent of this position is required to travel back and forth daily to the duty station at Rend Lake in Benton, IL.
  • The incumbent of this position is required to submit to Drug Testing.
  • The incumbent of this position must be at least 18 years old.
  • The incumbent of this position must possess and maintain a driver's license in one of the 50 U.S. States.
  • The incumbent of this position must have the ability to handle and correctly operate extended cab pick-up trucks and SUVs.
  • The incumbent of this position is required to spend the majority of time outdoors regardless of weather conditions, and can include extended periods of grounds maintenance, foot/bike patrol, lifting and/or hauling materials.
  • This position is full-time during the Summer Semester and may require more than one type of shift during the same work week to include days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • The incumbent of this position may be exposed to stinging insects and poisonous plants.
  • The incumbent of this position is required to wear an appropriate uniform while on duty.
Other Requirements:
  • 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.
  • Two year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Appointment is subject to the completion of a favorable suitability or fitness determination.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is Required.
  • This is a Career Program (CP) 18 position.
  • You must complete your academic requirements and program service requirements to be eligible for placement into a permanent job. The 120-day period at the completion of program requirements cannot be used to complete any of the requirements.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Students who are eligible for participation in the Department of the Army Internship Program

Positions are open to current students pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate in an accredited high school, college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution on at least a half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled). Short-term training programs (e.g., several two-week programs completed) are not considered an academic course of study.

Internship for current students in good standing at an accredited educational institution. Must currently have and maintain a cumulative and term grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher for the duration of the Pathways Internship.

To qualify for a Pathways Internship as a GS-02, current students must have completed high school or a GED diploma by May 31, 2018. Note: You must submit transcripts or proof of continuing enrollment/acceptance for eligibility.

NOTE: Students that are graduating and are not subsequently enrolled in another program might not meet the work-hour requirements prior to graduation and will be at risk for not being able to convert to a career or career-conditional appointment!

Please note that if you are a Spring 2018 graduate, you will not be eligible for this student appointment unless you are continuing your education and enrolled at a qualifying educational institution seeking an additional degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) or an advanced degree. You also must submit proof of acceptance along with your current transcripts for consideration.

For qualification purposes, an academic year is computed as follows:

  • At the undergraduate level, successfully completed education that has not led to possession of a degree is credited based on its relationship to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. For example, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. Four years of progressive study or 120 semester hours meets the degree requirements. Additional credit cannot be given for duplicate course work.
  • For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school.
  • An academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 academic year of full-time study. This determination is made based on normal course loads for a full year of study in the graduate program. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.
  • When academic credit is expressed in contract months, units, or other terms that differ from conventional semester or quarter hours, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide an interpretation of such credits from the appropriate institution in order to equate them to the semester or quarter hours specified in the standard.
NOTE: If your college, vocational, trade, technical or high schools' definition of "academic year" differs from above, you must submit proof of this difference (e.g., copy of course catalog that defines an academic year). Absent this documentation, you will screened for academic qualifications based on the academic hours as defined in the bullets above.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Grade Point Average
  • Learning
  • Oral Communication
  • Teamwork

Education

For this internship, we are seeking current students enrolled in an academic program that is closely related to the duties of this position. The desired academic program should cover Natural Resources, Biological Sciences, Outdoor Recreation, Law Enforcement, Communications, Agriculture, or related fields.

Only degrees from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education are acceptable to meet positive education requirements or to substitute education for experience. For additional information, please go to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and U.S. Department of Education websites at - http://www.opm.gov/qualifications and http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

Foreign education must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency in order to be considered for this position. Please submit your foreign education evaluation with your application.

This is a student internship opportunity. Your transcripts are a required part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Additional information

  • If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
  • 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.
  • You may claim military spouse preference.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • This announcement may be used to fill like vacancies for up to 90-days after the closing date.
Eligibility requirements for conversion to a permanent or term position. Interns must:
  • Be a U.S. Citizen at the time of conversion;
  • Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program prior to or concurrent with completion of academic requirements;
  • Complete their educational requirements (as specified in the announcement);
  • Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualification standard, including any applicable positive education requirement and/or selective placement factors and any other special qualifications requirements and conditions of employment (e.g. medical standards) appropriate for the specific competitive service position to which the intern will be converted;
  • Successfully complete all the requirements of the Internship Program as defined in the agency-participant agreement; and
  • Perform their job successfully as documented through performance evaluations and/or completion of an Individual Development Plan (IDP).

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Ideal Candidate, Strong Candidate, and Eligible Candidate. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

  • Ideal: This category will be used for those candidates who are enrolled in an academic program that is closely related to the duties of this position. The desired academic program should cover Natural Resources, Biological Sciences, Outdoor Recreation, Law Enforcement, Communications, Agriculture, or related fields and have the highest grade point average; have documented paid or volunteer work experience in the related field.
  • Strong: This category will be used for those candidates who meet many of the criteria described above for the ideal candidate.
  • Eligible: This category will be used for those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications of the position.

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