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Student Intern (Physical Science), GS-1399-04 (PATH)

Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the National Weather Service (NWS), Office of Water Predication (OWP), with two vacancies in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
01/20/2022 to 02/02/2022
Salary
$32,283 to - $41,967 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 04
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL
2 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Internships - This is an indefinite appointment. Student must continue to be enrolled in school leading to completion of degree or certificate program to remain in the Internship Program. This position may be terminated at any time at management’s discretion.
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Interns may work full-time during the summer and flexible part-time work schedule during the school year (based on agency needs) while continuing their education.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
04
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
NWS-2022-0065
Control number
632052600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Students who have been accepted for enrollment or are currently enrolled in an accredited educational institution in good academic standing. All applicants must demonstrate proof of enrollment for the Term Spring of 2022. Good academic standing is determined by the educational institution, but is typically a Grade Point Average of a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must provide proof of current enrollment in school or documentation indicating acceptance in an accredited educational institution.

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Duties

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*This position requires a Low Risk Security Clearance.

You will receive on-the-job and formal training to provide you with experience in the operation physical science duties. You will become familiar with National Weather Service programs, policies, and procedures; and you will have an opportunity to perform progressively more responsible assignments as experience is gained.  You will have the opportunity to participate in scientific research and develop procedures to transfer research to operations.

This position is not in the bargaining unit. 

Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selected employee.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Students must meet the following eligibility requirements to participate in this Internship Program:

*U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.

*Must be at least 16 years of age at the time of appointment.

*Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a student on at least a half-time schedule at a qualifying educational institution in a certificate, degree, or diploma program.

*Be in good academic standing as defined by the educational institution (at least a 2.0 grade point average (GPA).

*If selected, must sign Student Pathways Program Agreement and provide official transcript at the time of appointment and at the end of each academic term to ensure eligibility. Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. Official transcripts will be required before you can report to duty.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply.
  • Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
  • Must be suitable for Federal employment.
  • Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
  • Must sign a Pathways Programs Participant Agreement.
  • A minimum one year trial period will be required.

·        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, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before appointment or onboarding with the agency. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

·        Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within 45 days. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy. 

Intern and Interns NTE must:
• Be accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree or certificate in a qualifying educational institution on a half-time to full-time basis (as determined by the educational institution);
• Meet the definition of a student throughout the duration of their appointments;
• Meet agency-specific requirements as specified in the agency's Participant Agreement and;
• Meet the qualification standards (e.g. series & grade) for position.

Applicants must meet ALL requirements, including online resume, by 11:59 p.m. ET on closing date of announcement.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards.  This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/final-groupcoveragequalificationstandardforpathwaysprogramschedule-20d.pdf

The ideal candidate for this internship is a degree seeking student who has completed the requirements for at least a bachelor's degree with a major in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. To be eligible for conversion to a term or career conditional appointment a candidate must meet the requirements for the 1301 series. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/physical-science-technician-series-1311/

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.  Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.  This experience need not have been in the federal government.
 
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.

To qualify at the GS-04 level:

Successful completion of 2 years of post-high school study that included at least 12 semester hours in physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics.

OR

6 months of general and 6 months of specialized work experience.

General experience is defined as any type of work that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

Specialized experience is defined as experience collecting physical science data.

OR

Equivalent combinations or education and experience.

Education

Definition of Student: Student is defined as an individual accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, or certificate) in a qualifying academic institution, on a half or full-time basis.  Half-time is defined by the educational institution in which the student is enrolled.  Students do not have to be in actual physical attendance in school, online curriculums are acceptable as long as the school is accredited by the Department of Education.

Proof of Enrollment:  NOAA will use applicant's transcript as proof of enrollment in the identified college/university provided it demonstrates definition of eligible student. A letter from an educational institution indicating acceptance may be used as proof of enrollment for those students who are continuing studies at a new college or university or for those student whose transcripts do not reflect in-progress courses. An official transcript will be required before you can report to duty.

Additional information

PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION: This position offers non-competitive conversion to a permanent or term position in the competitive service upon completion of academic degree or certificate program.   Conversion is at management’s discretion and is not guaranteed. Within (120) days after the Intern (Career’s) successful completion of an academic degree or certificate program, the supervisor may convert the Intern (Career) non-competitively from the Pathways Internship Program to a term or permanent position in the competitive service.  The Intern (Career) must meet all terms of 5 CFR 362.204.  Additionally, the agency must have an available position.  Conversion to a permanent or term position is not mandatory or guaranteed.

To be eligible for conversion, an Intern (Career) must:
• Be a United States citizen or national;
• Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Program while enrolled as a half-time or full-time degree or certificate seeking student;
• Complete a course of academic study, within the preceding 120-day period, at a qualifying educational institution conferring a diploma, certificate or degree;
• Meet the qualification standards for the position to which she or he will be converted;
• Receive a favorable recommendation by the supervisor; and
• Meet agency-specific intern program requirements, as specified in the Participant Agreement.

NOAA participates in e-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

NOTE:

Applicants must demonstrate proof of enrollment for the Term Spring of 2022, by submitting an official proof of enrollment letter from a qualifying educational institution or a transcript indicating courses being taken in the Term Fall of 2021. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

This vacancy may be used to fill other Student Intern (Physical Science), GS-1399-04 positions throughout NOAA. The position must be alike (e.g.: the same qualifications and eligibility requirements as indicated in this vacancy announcement).

This position is being recruited with an opportunity for non-competitive conversion eligibility to a permanent OR term position upon completion of all program requirements. Conversion is not mandatory nor guaranteed (see Other Information).

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume, supporting documents and responses to the online questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements. Veterans’ preference applies to all selections made under the Pathways authority in accordance with CFR, Part 302.
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