Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens who are current students enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student on a full or half time basis at an accredited academic institution in a certificate, degree or diploma program. Proof of enrollment is required.

As an intern, you will be assigned tasks designed to familiarize the incumbent with the organization's functions and the specialty area. The incumbent provides program analytical assistance and support to a number of professional and technical employees. Tasks will vary depending on the functional area and may include the following:

• Assisting senior specialists and supervisor in conducting program functions.
• Assisting in planning and organizing actions necessary to accomplish short and long program goals.
• Gaining familiarity with governing policies, procedures and regulations.
• Using several types of office automation tools, such as word processing, graphics, spreadsheets, and database management skills to compile and manipulate information into various formats.
• Assembling materials for briefings, presentations, conferences and meetings.

Conditions of employment

• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
• EPA and non-EPA applicants must submit transcripts/course listings.
• If you are selected, you must sign a participant agreement.
• You must submit resume and required documents. (See How to Apply)
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• Remain in good academic standing and maintain a GPA of 2.0 and above.

This position is designated as High Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.

Qualifications

 
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

GS-04 LEVEL REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for a Pathways Internship at the GS-04, you must have completed two full academic years of post-high school study, or have an associate's degree. Two full academic years is the number of credit hours determined by the college, university, or school to represent two years of full-time study. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Your transcripts are a required part of your application.

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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/ and http://www2.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 include this information in your resume.

This is an Intern position in the Pathways Program. This program provides an entry-level developmental experience with the potential to lead to a career in the Federal Government after successfully completing the Program. Upon completion of the developmental program, intern appointees may be non-competitively converted to a term or permanent position without further competition.

ELIGIBILITY:

Current students 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 pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate.

Program Administration

• The Internship Program is primarily administered by each hiring agency.
• Agencies may hire Interns on a temporary basis for up to one year for an initial period, or for an indefinite period, to complete the educational requirement.
• Interns may work either part- or full-time.
• Each agency must sign a Participant Agreement with the Intern that sets forth the expectations for the internship. A new agreement and course registration information must be furnished and signed at the beginning of each school term.
• Intern's job will be related to the Intern's academic career goals or field of study.

 

Program Completion and Conversion

 

• Interns may be converted to a permanent position (or, in some limited circumstances, to a term position lasting 1-4 years) within 120 days of successful completion of the program.
• To be eligible for conversion, Interns must:
  
  • Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program
  • Complete their degree or certificate requirements
  • Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Intern will be converted
  • Meet agency-specific requirements as specified in the Participant's Agreement, and
  • Perform their job successfully.
• Agencies may waive up to 320 of the required 640 hours of work for Interns who demonstrate high potential as evidenced by outstanding academic achievement and exceptional job performance.
• In addition, students working in agencies through third-party intern providers may count up to 320 of the hours they work toward the 640 hour requirement.
• Time spent under previous Internship Program appointments may count towards required work experience hours.
   

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:  

 

• Knowledge of management and program analysis and evaluation techniques to perform selected tasks of portion of projects/studies.
• Ability to gather, compile and analyze from various sources of information/problems and present findings and recommendations.
• Ability develop a variety of analytical reports and written guidance in a variety of formats (e.g., narrative, graphs, charts, etc.) using a variety of software packages (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc).
• Ability to communicate orally sufficient to provide feedback, to obtain information and develop good working relationships.

NOTE: We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications Section. If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the on-line assessment. Your responses to the on-line assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position. You are being evaluated under the category rating method which means, if you are determined to be qualified, you will be placed into the Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified Category.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements.

NOTE: We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.

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