Clarification from the agency

Open to all qualified students who are U.S. Citizens and meet the eligibility requirements for the Pathways Internship Program as described below.

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Salary:
Golden GS-5: GS-5: $38,665 (Step 01) to $50,267 (Step 10);
Golden GS-7: CO: $47,895 (Step 01) to $62,266 (Step 10);

Albuquerque GS-5: $35,487 (Step 01) to $46,135 (Step 10);
Albuquerque GS-7: $43,958 (Step 01) to $57,148 (Step 10);

NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

The USGS Geologic Hazards Science Center is seeking undergraduate and graduate level student working towards a degree in physical science, engineering, geology, or mathematics to gain practical experience inanalyzing data sets, earthquake hazards and faulting models.

As a Student Trainee (Physical Science) you will serve in a trainee capacity, performing routine and recurring development assignments to acquire knowledge and understanding of functions, principles, practices, and methods in the mitigation of natural hazards (earthquakes, landslides, and geomagnetic disturbances).

You will work directly with scientists involved in mission-critical functions of hazard monitoring, assessment, and alerting. In most all cases, you will be paired with senior-level research scientists and will be assigned tasks that help the senior researcher be more productive, finalize publications, conduct field work, review and analyze data sets, analyze earthquake hazard and faulting models, and generally advance the science.

You will assist the development and distribution of information products such as debris-flow maps, finite fault models, earthquake catalog relocations, stress transfer mechanisms, earthquake summary posters, and tectonic summaries.

The work is mainly sedentary, but may require some walking and carrying of light items. For field work, employees may be required to carry heavy equipment (up to 50 pounds) such as batteries, battery packs, computers, and field equipment over uneven or rough surfaces. Operates a government owned or leased vehicle as an incidental driver.

Conditions of employment

Key Requirements:

1. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
2. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
3. The entire period served under the Intern Program counts as a trial period.
4. Housing will not be provided.
5. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record.
6. Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

• This vacancy is limited to the first 75 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.
• If converted to a permanent or term appointment, the anticipated target position and FPL may change based on the need of the organization at that time. Interns must meet the qualification requirements for the position to which converted.
• If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts &/or letter from the school stating you are enrolled in a degree/certificateprogram on at least a half time basis in good standing and your expected graduation date.
• A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

Qualifications

This position is being filled under the Pathways Internship Program which is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with paid work opportunities in agencies to explore Federal careers while still in school.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for an appointment under the Pathways Internship Program:

• You must be a student accepted for enrollment or enrolled in a degree or certificate program on a full- or half-time basis as defined by the school (certificate program means post-secondary education, in a qualifying educational institution, equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum); AND
• Enrollment is with a qualifying educational institution such as a high school or state-approved homeschool; or accredited technical or vocational school; a 2- or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum; AND
• Students currently enrolled must be in good academic standing maintaining a 2.0 grade point average on a cumulative basis; AND
• You must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout the duration of your appointment under the Pathways Internship Program.

Qualification Requirements

This internship is geared toward students majoring in one of the following areas of study: the physical sciences, geology, engineering and/or mathematics.

For the GS-5:

Basic Education Requirements: You must meet one of the mandatory basic requirements below for a Student Trainee (Physical Science) GS-05 grade and above:

A. Successfully completed all requirements for a bachelor's degree in physical science, engineer, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties or materials, and electronics.

B. Combination of education and experience/course work is equivalent to a major in physical or engineering science or math that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science.

For GS-07:

In addition to meeting the basic education requirements, you must meet one of the following to qualify at the GS-7 level:

Possess at least 1 year of progressively higher-level graduate education in physical science or other directly related field of study.

**OR Possess Superior Academic Achievement - You must meet one of these: Upper third of graduating class based on completed courses; GPA 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 on official transcript based on 4 years college, or based on courses completed in final 2 years of curriculum, or GPA 3.5 or higher based on average of required major courses competed in final 2 years of curriculum; 3) Member of a national scholastic honor society recognized by Assoc. of College Honor Societies.

**OR Possess at least 1-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level. Examples of GS-5 level experience could include taking measurements and collecting information; learning to take proper samples; conducting routine calculating, plotting, and checking of numerical data; preparing graphs and data profiles; and accomplishing routine analyses. This work experience would have involved receiving clear, specific, and detailed instructions as to the methods, procedures, and guidelines to use.

**OR Possess a combination of related graduate level education and appropriate specialized experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

--Basis of Rating: All applicants who meet the basic eligibility and qualification requirements will be referred to the selecting official in veterans' preference order.

Agency Benefits:

• The availability of the various benefits depends on the expected duration of your appointment under the Internship Program. If you are expected to be on the appointment for at least one year, the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. If you are expected to be on the appointment less than one year, the benefits package includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. In addition, interns expected to work at least 130 hours per month for at least 90 days will be eligible to enroll in a Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plan. Individuals eligible under this rule receive the full government contribution to their premiums regardless of work schedule and will also be eligible to participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts and Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program.