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Student Trainee (Hydrology)

Department of Energy
Bonneville Power Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Power Student Development (PD), Weather and Streamflow Forecasting organizations (PGPW), Power and Operations Planning (PGP), Generation Asset Management (PG), Power Services (P), Bonneville Power Administration.

The purpose of this position is to serve as a Pathways Program Intern (Hydrology).

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/13/2021 to 01/03/2022
Salary
$34,544 to - $62,232 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 4 - 7
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Portland, OR
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Internships - Student
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Work Schedule may be Full-time or Part-time.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
22-BPA-27599-11298542-ST
Control number
626638900

This job is open to

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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 and Annual Appropriations Laws. - This Pathways Internship will have a tentative start date in January/February/March of 2022. If you graduate before June 2022 you will not be eligible for this Pathways Internship Program.

Duties

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As a Student Trainee (Hydrology), you will:

  • Complete periods of pertinent formal education and periods of employment as part of a formal student employment program.
  • Exercise judgment in developing and preparing daily streamflow forecasts, as well as oral and written briefings for BPA planning staff, for the Columbia River Basin.
  • Assist in maintaining BPA's streamflow modeling system and support software.
  • Maintain computer software, spreadsheets, and databases to enhance the operational functions of the weather and streamflow forecasting group.
  • Apply mathematics and statistical methods to evaluate hydrologic studies and technical literature, modeling and streamflow procedures, and hydrometeorological data.
As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If you are selected for this position, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 22, 2021, or prior to onboarding, if hired after November 22, unless you request a legally required exception from this requirement.

As part of onboarding, you will need to submit DOE's Certification of COVID-19 Vaccination for Prospective Federal Employees attesting to truthfulness that you are fully vaccinated by November 22, 2021, or prior to onboarding, if hired after November 22, 2021. Once onboard, you will then be required to provide proof of vaccination in DOE's MyEnergy system and certify the documentation you provide is true and correct under penalty of perjury. Providing a knowing and willful false statement on either DOE's COVID-19 Vaccination Form prior to starting or when providing proof of vaccination in DOE's MyEnergy system once onboard is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001) and will result in termination from Federal service.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
  • Work assignments are structured and include a variety of technical tasks to support streamflow forecast operations. Employee participates as a team member engaging in extensive coordination with staff meteorologists to analyze and forecast daily, weekly, and intra-annual streamflow. The incumbent uses skill and experience to correct missing data, highlight discrepancies between forecasts and observations, and minor programming problems or support displays and spreadsheets. The work involves applying specific standards, methods, and procedures to carry out tasks; assisting others by relieving them of routine work associated with larger studies; and completing a segment of an assignment or project of broader scope.
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/proof of enrollment 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.

Continued in Education section.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

Currently enrolled in an accredited 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

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

GS-04:

To qualify, you must have completed 2 full academic years of post-high school study OR an associate's degree. (1 full academic year is equivalent to 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours.)

As a physical sciences intern (hydrology), completes 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 a varied and complex sequence of standardized or prescribed operations in the field of hydrology. The incumbent uses these skills to: With assistance from more senior staff, performs routine weather or streamflow data monitoring and analysis. Recognizes errors that are readily apparent but that require a limited knowledge of hydrology or meteorology; Processes the data according to well-defined methods and designated formulas; Become familiar with the work group's program requirements, techniques, and procedures; Maintain simple computer spreadsheet, and databases to enhance the operational functions of the weather and streamflow forecasting group; Apply mathematics and statistical methods to evaluate hydrologic studies and technical literature, modeling and streamflow procedures, and hydro meteorological data; Follows oral or written technical instructions and works in close cooperation with other workers to complete training assignments.

GS-05:

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

As a physical sciences intern (hydrology), completes 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 a varied and complex sequence of standardized or prescribed operations in the field of hydrology. The incumbent uses these skills to: With assistance from more senior staff, performs routine weather or streamflow data monitoring and analysis. Recognizes errors that are readily apparent but that require a limited knowledge of hydrology or meteorology; Processes the data according to well-defined methods and designated formulas; Become familiar with the work group's program requirements, techniques, and procedures; Maintain simple computer spreadsheet, and databases to enhance the operational functions of the weather and streamflow forecasting group; Apply mathematics and statistical methods to evaluate hydrologic studies and technical literature, modeling and streamflow procedures, and hydro meteorological data; Follows oral or written technical instructions and works in close cooperation with other workers to complete training assignments.

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.

As a physical sciences intern (hydrology), completes 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 in the hydrologic or meteorological forecasting programs, which consists of providing daily, weekly, and intra-annual weather and streamflow forecasts at over 300 sub basins in the Columbia Basin. Uses skills and experience for operational weather and streamflow forecasting, hydro-meteorological computer science and water supply assessment. The incumbent uses these skills to: With assistance from more senior staff, exercise judgment in developing and preparing daily streamflow forecasts, as well as oral and written briefings for BPA planning staff, for the Columbia River Basin. Completed forecasts are reviewed for scientific soundness by more senior staff; Assist in maintaining BPA's streamflow modeling system and support software. Responsibilities include learning model components and software configurations, using the model for hydro-meteorological monitoring, evaluating model performance, assisting in model maintenance and backup, execution of the Extended Streamflow Prediction (ESP) portion of the model, and evaluation of ESP results; Maintain computer software, spreadsheets, and databases to enhance the operational functions of the weather and streamflow forecasting group; Apply mathematics and statistical methods to evaluate hydrologic studies and technical literature, modeling and streamflow procedures, and hydro-meteorological data.

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

Education

Education Requirements:
Your educational goals must include obtaining a professional degree in Hydrology.

You must submit a copy of your current transcripts for proof of education and enrollment. If you are not currently enrolled, but have been accepted for future enrollment you must submit a copy of your acceptance letter with your application.

DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

NOTE: This Pathways Internship will has a tentative start date in February/March of 2022. If you graduate before June 2022 you will not be eligible for this Pathways Internship Program.


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 General Schedule (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. Hydrology Series, 1315
  • Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualification standards for the position to which the intern will be converted
  • Meet requirements as specified in the Participant's Agreement.
  • Perform their job successfully and be recommended by the organization to a permanent position.
Relocation may be authorized with conversion.

Additional information

  • The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
EEO Policy: http://www.usajobs.gov/eeo
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: http://www.usajobs.gov/raps
Veterans Information: http://www.usajobs.gov/vi
Telework: www.telework.gov
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.

BPA strives to ensure a safe, positive, inclusive work environment, supported by Leadership Behaviors. For more information on Leadership Behaviors visit: www.bpa.gov/goto/LeadershipBehaviors

We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.

How you will be evaluated

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

The Department of Energy uses an application tracking system to evaluate the responses you provide in the applicant assessment questionnaire to place you into an initial quality category via OPM's Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified. Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to ensure you have been placed into the appropriate quality category.

Your application is rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education (when applicable), and training as described in your resume and applicant assessment. Your credentials are measured against the established duties of the position at the grade level(s) being advertised.

If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as scoring in the Well Qualified category (or higher).

If you are a Veteran Preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

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

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

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your responses to the self-assessment questions (True/False, Yes/ No, Multiple Choice questions) will be evaluated and you will be placed into one of three pre-defined quality categories under Category Rating procedures. These categories are "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified. 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.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):



Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as scoring 85.0 or higher.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (01/03/2022) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11298542

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