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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The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Washington Water Science Center is seeking (associate and undergraduate level) student working towards a degree in the Physical Sciences, Environmental Science, Biology, Math or Engineering to gain practical experience in hydrologic data collection.

As a Student Trainee (Hydrology) you will serve in a trainee capacity, performing routine and recurring development assignments to acquire knowledge and understanding of functions, principles, practices, and methods used in the area of hydrologic data collection.

Duties include:

• Working closely with senior personnel to learn how to perform routine hydrologic tasks including maintenance of stream gaging infrastructure; basic equipment repairs; the retrieval of hydrologic data; and the quality assurance of data.
• Collects and processes hydrologic field data under the close direction of more senior personnel.
• Assisting higher level staff members with fieldwork responsibilities to include maintaining infrastructure, making discharge measurements, measuring water levels in streams and wells, surveying for elevation control of gaging stations, and monitoring or collecting water-quality data.
• Operates a government motor vehicle as an incidental driver.

Physical Demands
Work is physically demanding and includes walking, bending, climbing and lifting of equipment up to 100 pounds when in the field, sometimes during adverse weather conditions. Work performed in the office is sedentary.

Work Environment
The work is primarily performed outdoors, and involves moderate or sometimes extreme exposure to the discomforts of rain, cold/hot weather, and rapidly running or icy streams and rivers. Special safety precautions are required in many cases, and the employee typically wears life jackets, special safety boots, waders, and reflective rain gear.

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?

• Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
• If converted to a permanent or term appointment, the anticipated target position will be Hydrologic Technician with full performance level of GS-9; however, the 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.
• USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. For additional information on our internal telework policy, visit Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies.
• DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more, visit E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Qualifications

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
• The duties of this position should be related to your academic or career goals.
• You must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout the duration of your appointment under the Pathways Internship Program.

Students who successfully complete the internship program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment or a term (1-4 years in duration) appointment without further competition. Eligibility requirements for conversion: must be a U.S. Citizen; complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program (*may waive up to a total of 320 hours under specific conditions); successfully complete your degree or certificate requirements from a qualifying institution; meet the qualification requirements for the position to which you will be converted; meet agency-specific requirements as outlined in the Participant's Agreement; and must have performed successfully in your position as documented through performance evaluations. *NOTE: To learn more about the conditions under which a portion of the work experience hours may be waived, visit https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/students-and-recent-graduates.

Qualification Requirements

This internship is geared toward students majoring in one of the following areas of study: in the Physical Sciences, Environmental Science, Biology, Math or Engineering.

For GS-03:Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-3 level:

A. Six months of general experience of any kind that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position or that has provided the applicant with a general knowledge of hydrologic practices and procedures; -OR-
B. One full year of successfully completed education above the high school level that included at least one course in subjects such as engineering, industrial technology, construction drafting, surveying, physical science, biology, or mathematics*. -OR-
C. Combination of post-high school education and general experience that together equates to 100% of the qualification requirement*.
*You must submit transcripts if using education to qualify.

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

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How you will be evaluated

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

--Basis of Rating: You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. If you meet the basic eligibility and qualification requirements, your on-line responses to the application questions will determine your placement in the appropriate quality group (i.e., Best Qualified, Qualified). These responses must be substantiated by the resume. Veterans' preference rules apply.

--Vacancy Related Questions: As part of the online application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions designed to assess your knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies: Scientific Instrumentation; Compute/Analyze Data; Scientific Record; Infrastructure Maintenance; Mechanical Ability.

To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11273762