This Eastern Federal Lands (EFLHD) Student Internship position is open to current students seeking a degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Management, Geomatics Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or other directly related engineering program. The ideal candidate has a desire to learn about the various aspects of highway and transportation engineering and can work either during the summer or during the spring semester of college full-time through a co-op opportunity.
Summary
This Eastern Federal Lands (EFLHD) Student Internship position is open to current students seeking a degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Management, Geomatics Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or other directly related engineering program. The ideal candidate has a desire to learn about the various aspects of highway and transportation engineering and can work either during the summer or during the spring semester of college full-time through a co-op opportunity.
For salary ranges by location, see "Additional Information" section.
Pay scale & grade
GS 02 - 05
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Sevierville, TN
Ashburn, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel will be required for fieldwork assignments. Some assignments may involve extensive travel. Construction project sites may be in very remote locations. While performing outdoor fieldwork, walking and climbing in varying types of terrain and some lifting of items, up to 60 pounds, may be necessary.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Internships - Excepted Service Appointment for an initial period expected to last for more than 1-year.
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Some assignments will require varied schedules (i.e., weekends, evenings, and night work).
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. This position is part of the Pathways Program and is open to current students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational institution and enrolled at least half-time.
Please submit your application by 10/21/2022 if you would like to be considered for a co-op internship in the spring.
The Student Trainee (Civil Engineering) Pathways Intern will participate in one of the following activities and assignments during the spring semester as a co-op or for the summer within the various branches:
Construction:
Inspect and test assignments on construction projects.
Field sampling and testing of construction materials.
Participate in partnering meetings.
Serve as an instrument operator or rodman on construction survey of projects or monitors contractor stakeout, including staking of centerline, slope staking, drainage staking, structural staking, and setting of grade stakes.
Compute and balance quantities.
Materials:
Log in samples, prepare samples for testing, monitor testing procedures, and record data of materials such as concrete, soils, asphalt, and roadway aggregates.
Visually inspect materials and determine sizes to be crushed; lift and handle samples; observe and operate sieve shakers.
Retrieve and compile data.
Research past mix designs and compile comparison data.
Highway Design:
Prepare roadway plans and quantity calculations, title sheets, plan profile sheets, alignment layout, supplementary drawings, earthwork calculations, and pipe and box culvert structure detailing.
Compute curves and traverses.
Assemble plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E) documents.
Perform basic drafting.
Bridge Design, Management, and Inspection:
Prepare project specifications and perform design and quality check on PS&E packages.
Perform field assessments, gather information, and carry out preliminary scoping of projects.
Compile structural analysis and design of concrete, steel, or timber bridge components.
Use Microstation CADD to prepare bridge plan sheets.
Perform calculations of quantities and basic engineering calculations.
Operate bridge inspection equipment, record data, develop sketches, and prepare reports.
Inventory structures and evaluate data.
Planning & Programs:
Collect and assemble data.
Review damage site assessments and reports for Emergency Relief projects.
Prepare environmental compliance documentation.
Prepare agreements for projects.
Environment:
Review and summarize technical reports and NEPA documents.
Prepare and complete environmental and historic documents.
Review environmental impacts of proposed projects.
Prepare environmental compliance documentation.
Road Inventory Program:
Coordinate and collect roadway engineering data using computerized and electronic visual equipment in a vehicle that includes video cameras, distance measuring devices, electronic horizontal and vertical slope detectors, electronic rut and roughness indicators, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
Analyze entire road systems to be inventoried and devises collection procedures.
Pavements:
Review PS&E for pavement design projects.
Review design and construction recommendations for new and rehabilitation pavement projects.
Perform pavement-testing services.
Conduct pavement field investigations.
Operate and maintain the Pavement Management System.
Geotechnical:
Perform geotechnical design calculations and technical reports.
Perform project site geological and geotechnical mapping and logging; obtain borehole data and samples; sketch details of test pit investigations; operate hand tools for field investigations; and collect, bag, and label soil and rock samples.
Input field data into Geotechnical software programs.
Hydraulics:
Perform hydrologic and hydraulic design calculations.
Develop drainage design and Storm Water Management Plans.
Prepare technical reports and cost estimates.
Prepare project specifications and review of PS&E packages.
Perform basic engineering computations using formulas, handheld calculators, and electronic survey equipment.
Serve as instrument operator and/or target cube holder on construction survey and/or engineering stakeout of project or assists in monitoring contract stakeout.
Project Delivery - Engineering Support:
Perform a variety of activities in design, construction, technical services, or project management.
Review technical civil engineering project design documents and submittals.
Update GIS maps and figures for research tasks.
Perform project contract administration duties.
Project Management:
Assist in planning, coordinating, and administering projects.
Perform basic reviews of project deliverables.
Help to ensure project requirements, approvals, and clearances are secured in a timely manner.
You must be a U.S. Citizen and meet the requirements of the program.
You must be at least 16 years of age
Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
PATHWAYS ELIGIBILITY - To be eligible for appointment to a position in the DOT Internship Program, throughout the duration of the appointment, an individual must:
Be accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree or certificate in a qualifying educational institution on a half to full-time basis (as determined by the educational institution).
Be seeking a degree that is relevant to this position.
Be able to work at least 16 hours per week, depending on your academic schedule, and preferably full-time during the summer.
Grade qualifications must be met prior to start date.
If selected you:
Must sign a Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement;
May be employed throughout the academic year;
Must maintain status as a current student;
Must maintain good academic standing, at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 grading scale.
Must furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and
Must provide verification of academic status (transcript) at the end of each academic term.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP: Must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
DECLARATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT: Selectee is required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine suitability for federal employment.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
TRIAL PERIOD: The intern is in a trial period throughout the entire Pathways Internship appointment.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Fieldwork is accomplished at the project site where you may be exposed to high noise levels, hazardous chemicals, and varying weather terrain conditions. And, regular and recurring exposure to outdoor conditions involving moderate exposure to rain, snow, cold/hot weather, icy streams, and rivers.
PHYSICAL LOCATION: Intern will be required to work onsite.
TELEWORK: Telework is not permissible if you are assigned to a construction project, which could be anywhere in the Eastern half of the United States. If you are assigned to another branch which requires you to work in the office, telework may be allowed and is at the discretion and approval of your supervisor.
Applicants must be pursuing a degree in professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the education requirements for each grade which you are requesting consideration for:
GS-02 - Completion of high school or GED diploma.
GS-03 - Completion of one academic year of post-high school study.
GS-04 - Completion of two academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree.
GS-05 - Completion of four academic years of post-high school study leading to a bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree.
Academic Year: At the undergraduate level, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. When academic credit is expressed in units or other terms that differ from conventional semester or quarter hours, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide an interpretation of such credits from the institution.
You may use 2022 in-progress semester/quarter hours to qualify for a higher grade level. Qualifications will be determined based on completed and in-progress hours stated on your unofficial transcript submitted at the time of application. To be qualifying, you must successfully complete and receive the credit and provide an updated official transcript before you enter on duty.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
Oral Communication - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
Computer Skills - Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
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.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the start of the internship.
Education
Refer to the Qualifications section for Mandatory Education Requirements specific to this series, and the Requirements section for information pertaining to the Pathways Internship Program.
Additional information
This announcement establishes an open continuous (3 month) vacancy announcement for Student Trainee (Civil Engineering), GS-0899-2/3/4/5. Given our continuing need for Interns, we will routinely review applications and refer the top candidates for potential interviews during the open period of the announcement. Review and referral of applications will be completed on an as needed basis with the initial review occurring on 10/21/2022.
The position is headquartered in a FHWA Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD) office. Assignments may be performed at any of the EFLHD projects located in the Eastern states.
This is an Excepted Service Appointment for an initial period expected to last for more than 1-year. As a part of the Pathways Internship Program, the appointment may be extended until the selectee's educational program requirements have been completed. The student intern may be converted, without a break in service to a term (time-limited) or permanent appointment upon graduation, to a position that has a career ladder targeted up to the GS-12, provided they are a US citizen who has worked at least 640 hours in an appropriate program and receive a favorable recommendation from the supervisor for retention. There is no guarantee of a permanent position following this internship. The selectee is on a trial period while on a Pathways Internship appointment.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a Bargaining unit position.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Real solutions to meet genuine challenges. Innovative ideas to take on growing realities. That's the Federal Highway Administration - Leaders in Paving the Way on the Road to Success.
The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is ranked #7 in the 2021 best places to work in the Federal Government!
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.
Once you complete and submit your application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the job. Qualified students will be referred to the hiring manager in unranked order by veteran preference status: (1) Preference eligible having a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more; (2) all other candidates eligible for 10-point veteran preference; (3) candidates eligible for 5-point veteran preference; and (4) candidates not eligible for veteran preference.
You will not be considered for the position if any part of the application or supporting documentation is incomplete. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or adverse action after hiring.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Real solutions to meet genuine challenges. Innovative ideas to take on growing realities. That's the Federal Highway Administration - Leaders in Paving the Way on the Road to Success.
The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is ranked #7 in the 2021 best places to work in the Federal Government!
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
ALL Applicants must provide a resume that fully supports the required specialized experience and was created within USA Jobs Resume Builder and respond to the vacancy questions by the closing date of the vacancy. Formatted resumes can be uploaded when you arrive at the DOT application system. For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/documents/resume/build/
The following is a list of documents that are only required based on the type of position and consideration for which you are applying. Please review each of the following sections to determine which, if any, additional documents you need to provide with your application.
Completed Questionnaire.
College Transcripts: Required from all applicants who are currently enrolled. Copies of your transcripts which include courses currently in progress (spring 2022 or after). “Unofficial” transcripts are acceptable. (Prior to appointment, an official transcript will be required.)
Acceptance Letter of Enrollment: A letter from the educational institution that confirms the following: The degree/diploma program in which you have been accepted and that you will be enrolled on at least a half-time basis in the current semester (fall 2022 or winter 2023). Required from all applicants who have been accepted for enrollment and have not yet attended, therefore do not have a transcript to submit.
IMPORTANT: Students graduating in fall 2022 must provide proof of acceptance or enrollment (transcript or letter) for winter 2023 (or equivalent semester) to qualify for this internship position.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - click here. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application.
VETERANS: Your last DD214 (member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility. It need not be official.
If you are applying to a vacancy opened to all US Citizens under category rating and wish to be considered as a preference eligible, you need to submit a copy of your DD214 (member-4 copy).
If you are claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. An SF-15 is desired, but not required.
If you are applying to a vacancy opened Status and you are requesting consideration under Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/#veoa), you need to provide a copy of your last DD214 (member-4 copy), which verifies your military service dates, reason for separation, OR certification of separation that shows a discharge date within 120 days of the closing of this announcement, and eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.
To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
DOT, FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Next steps
Once the application process is completed in its entirety, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualifications. Qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews.
If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
ALL Applicants must provide a resume that fully supports the required specialized experience and was created within USA Jobs Resume Builder and respond to the vacancy questions by the closing date of the vacancy. Formatted resumes can be uploaded when you arrive at the DOT application system. For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/documents/resume/build/
The following is a list of documents that are only required based on the type of position and consideration for which you are applying. Please review each of the following sections to determine which, if any, additional documents you need to provide with your application.
Completed Questionnaire.
College Transcripts: Required from all applicants who are currently enrolled. Copies of your transcripts which include courses currently in progress (spring 2022 or after). “Unofficial” transcripts are acceptable. (Prior to appointment, an official transcript will be required.)
Acceptance Letter of Enrollment: A letter from the educational institution that confirms the following: The degree/diploma program in which you have been accepted and that you will be enrolled on at least a half-time basis in the current semester (fall 2022 or winter 2023). Required from all applicants who have been accepted for enrollment and have not yet attended, therefore do not have a transcript to submit.
IMPORTANT: Students graduating in fall 2022 must provide proof of acceptance or enrollment (transcript or letter) for winter 2023 (or equivalent semester) to qualify for this internship position.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - click here. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application.
VETERANS: Your last DD214 (member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility. It need not be official.
If you are applying to a vacancy opened to all US Citizens under category rating and wish to be considered as a preference eligible, you need to submit a copy of your DD214 (member-4 copy).
If you are claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. An SF-15 is desired, but not required.
If you are applying to a vacancy opened Status and you are requesting consideration under Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/#veoa), you need to provide a copy of your last DD214 (member-4 copy), which verifies your military service dates, reason for separation, OR certification of separation that shows a discharge date within 120 days of the closing of this announcement, and eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.
To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
DOT, FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Next steps
Once the application process is completed in its entirety, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualifications. Qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews.
If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
