Clarification from the agency

- Students who are currently enrolled or have been accepted for enrollment in a degree seeking program (diploma, certificate, 4 year college or university, graduate, professional school, etc.) - All U.S. Citizens, Nationals, and Foreign Nationals who meet both Immigration Laws and Annual Appropriations Laws. - This Pathways Internship will have a tentative start date of May 28th or June 10th, 2019.

As a Student Trainee in the Operations Research Analysis occupational field, you will complete periods of pertinent formal education and periods of employment as part of a formal student employment program. Work assignments during periods of employment include tasks that involve researching, analyzing, interpreting, evaluating, and performing difficult but well precedence operations research assignments in support of one or more of functions. Tasks include the following: 

• Perform minor phases of larger assignments.
• Conduct analytical investigations using appropriate scientific methodology and problem solving.
• Perform, interpret, and correlate various calculations, analyses, and computations for unknown factors or 
relationships that are primarily matters of a factual nature or involve mechanisms that are well understood.
• Learn techniques and gains knowledge through job experience and extended professional training that supplements technical understanding.
• Use computers and information technology and their varied applications to accomplish projects, designs, plans, and reports.
• Prepare required recurring reports, correspondence, and documentation.

Conditions of employment

• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• See "Other Information" section regarding Selective Service requirements.

PATHWAYS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must be in good academic standing (GPA of a 2.0 or higher).
• Must be enrolled in at least a half-time course load, as defined by your educational institution.
• Must submit a copy of your current transcripts and/or letter of acceptance as proof of your enrollment. If selected, official transcripts must be submitted prior to establishing a start date. 
• Your entire time as a Pathways Intern will be considered your probationary/trial period.
• As a Pathways Intern you may have rotational assignments in various organizations. 
• As a Pathways Intern you are expected to work during your summer, winter and spring breaks unless otherwise coordinated with your manager.

PATHWAYS PROGRAM COMPLETION:

BPA has the option to convert an intern to a permanent position upon program completion. This is not automatic nor guaranteed. It is at the discretion of the employing office. Interns may be converted to the GS level qualified for at the time of conversion. To be eligible for conversion, an intern must:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the internship program before completion of their educational program/degree.
• Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualification standards for the position in which the intern will be converted. (Operations Research Series, 1515) 
• Meet the requirements as specified in the Participant's Agreement, and 
• Perform their job successfully and be recommended by the organization to a permanent position. 

Qualifications

GS-04: To qualify, you must have completed 2 full academic years of post high school study OR an associates degree.

GS-05: To qualify, you must have completed 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree OR a bachelor’s degree. 

GS-07: To qualify, you must have completed 1 full academic year of graduate level education; or Eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and completion of a bachelor's degree. 

Note: 1 full academic year is equivalent to 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours. You must submit a copy of your current transcripts for verification.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Although not required your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies (KSACs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you should describe in your application how your past work experience or educational course work demonstrates that you possess the KSACs identified below.

(A) Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

(B) Mathematical Reasoning: Solves practical problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical and statistical techniques.

(C) Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

(D) Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

(E) Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.

(F) Modeling and Simulation: Knowledge of the tools and techniques used to develop functional, physical, or prototype models and simulations for test and evaluation programs, the prediction of behavior and phenomena, and to visually communicate concepts.

DO NOT EMAIL YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS. Application documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicants will be reviewed to determine if they meet minimum qualifications, as described above. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the hiring manager for review and consideration. Veterans preference does apply and preference eligibles will be placed ahead of non-preference eligibles when referred to hiring managers.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.
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