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Student Trainee (Economics)

Department of Agriculture
Foreign Agricultural Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The incumbent of this position will be part of the Pathways Program as a Student Intern for a temporary duration of time. This Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a variety of educational institutions, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school.

The intern will work on small advanced on-the-job unified segments of projects that consist of specified duties in a continuing program. The assignments are organized in such a manner as to provide the incumbent experience and increased familiarity with the work of the organization.

This is a temporary Pathways Internship Program appointment not-to-exceed September 30, 2018. The anticipated hours are full-time.

This position is located in Washington, DC. Applicants must be available to work a regular schedule when classes are in session as well as during scheduled breaks.

The Pathways Internship Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service.

This position is temporary and has a Not-to-Exceed date of September 30, 2018. However, the appointment may also end early due to lack of work or funds.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open date: 02/21/2018
Closed date: 03/02/2018
Location
Work site options
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$22.03 - $28.64 per hour
Pay scale & grade
GS 07
Promotion potential
07
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-Time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Internships
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Service
Security clearance
Other
Announcement number
FAS-PATH-18-0027
Control number
491516800

This job is open to

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Duties

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The duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Prepares international trade data and conducts economic studies, analyses and investigations of moderate difficulty concerning agricultural production, consumption, price, marketing channels, import and export practices, and/or situations and factors which are pertinent to the specific assignment of project for the purpose of reporting on conditions and matters affecting trade in the assigned agricultural commodities and their products. 
  • Makes limited evaluation, analysis and interpretation of statistical and economic data gathered, selecting material to be used in general or specific projects.
  • Compile and place in an orderly arrangement specified economic information from a variety of indicated and readily available sources, making rough preliminary analysis according to precise instructions.
  • Analyze and interpret factual economic statistics and draft simple press releases explaining findings. Works with higher graded specialists in the preparation of publications and related material including drafting reports of a specific scope and complexity for publication or preparation of reports on segments of major study for inclusion in an overall report.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Proof of student status must be submitted with the application
  • All applicants must be in good academic standing
  • Applicants must be at least 16 years old

Special Conditions

  • If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entrance on duty.
  • Summer 2018 and/or fall 2018 enrollement or acceptance is required to remain eligible for the Pathways Internship.
  • A Pathways Participant Agreement will be required if you are selected for a position. The agreement must be signed by all applicable parties prior to entrance on duty.
  • Satisfactory completion and favorable adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Hours of work will be between 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Qualifications

To qualify, you MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Applicants can qualify by meeting the EDUCATION requirements specified below.

GS-7: Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or equivalent) or eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement provision; to qualify based on superior academic achievement you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND must meet certain GPA requirements. For more details click: Superior Academic Achievement

Education

Proof of student status is required. Applicants must submit one of the following: a letter of acceptance to an accredited college or university for an upcoming academic term; OR Transcripts showing current/future enrollment at an accredited college or university; OR A letter on college/university stationery stating that you are enrolled for the current/future academic term.

All academic degrees or course work must be completed in an educational institution that has obtained accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.edu.gov/.

Additional information

  • More than one selection may be made if another vacancy occurs within 90 days of the issuance of the certification of eligibles. The additional selection(s) may be made from other division(s) not listed in the vacancy announcement.
  • Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
  • E-Verify: Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS 'E-VERIFY' system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
  • Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
  • It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. See more information at: http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=6465

How you will be evaluated

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

Category rating procedures will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. The following quality categories will be used: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified. Within each quality category, veterans' preference eligibles will receive selection priority over non-veterans.

Your final category placement will be based on your responses to the assessment questionnaire and abilities (KSA) or competencies:

  • Ability to use office equipment, computer technology, and automated business systems.
  • Knowledge of agricultural economics
  • Ability to identify priorities, changing work requirements, meet deadlines, and lead others
  • Written, oral and communication skills

If, after reviewing your resume and / or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score can / will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you.
To view the application form, visit: https://fas.usda.ntis.gov/cp/?event=jobs.previewApplication&jobid=95B7CB11-B50E-4457-B5E5-A88700924A5D

Foreign Agricultural Service

Begin a challenging and rewarding career with the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). FAS is a dynamic foreign affairs agency with offices in Washington, D.C. and 70-plus countries around the world. FAS is seeking committed professionals with diverse skills and talents to help improve foreign market access for U.S. products, build new markets, enhance the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries.

USDA is a great place to start or continue your career. USDA is ranked as one of the top 10 "Best Places to Work in the Federal Government" by the Partnership for Public Service (http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/overall/large). Rankings are based on employee feedback regarding satisfaction with their work experience.

Agency contact information

Human Resources
Phone
612-336-3418
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
FAS.HR.General@aphis.usda.gov
Address
Foreign Agricultural Service
250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410
Minneapolis, MN, 55401
United States

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