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Student Trainee (Purchasing Agent)

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Come make the most of your internship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)! This is an opportunity to work with top professionals who exemplify and promote creative discoveries, innovative strategies, and collaborative exchange of information. Be a part of the mission-- apply now!

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/24/2023 to 05/03/2023
This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$42,870 to - $55,736 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Location
few vacancies in the following location:
Montgomery County
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Internships
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
5
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NIH-ST-23-11919850
Control number
720277600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to U.S Citizens, non-citizens, national or legal permanent residents.

Duties

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As a Student Trainee (Purchasing Agent), your typical work assignments may include:

  • Purchase technical and scientific laboratory items such as centrifuges, drying ovens, dishwashers, constant temperature baths, experimental animals, microscopes, etc.
  • Obtain oral or written quotations under the Request for Quotation method of procurement.
  • Review and evaluate bids received to determine lowest bid meeting the specifications and requirements of the solicitation, and consult the requestor before considering any bids offering substitute items or materials.
  • Prepare correspondence, other contractual documents, purchase orders, requisitions, and letters to vendors requesting information about desired items.
  • Make or recommend purchases for recurring requirements independently.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be at least 16 years old by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Applicants under 18 years of age will require a work permit prior to appointment.
  • Must have obtained and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (we DO NOT round up) throughout the duration of the program is required. GPA is based on current enrollment.
  • This announcement is open to U.S. citizens, non-citizens, national or legal permanent residents.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen prior to conversion to a career-conditional appointment.
  • Applicants who graduate college at the conclusion of the Spring 2023 semester may only be considered if they are accepted for enrollment in a new program for the Summer 2023 or Fall 2023 semester.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.

Qualifications

To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program or accepted for enrollment on at least a half-time basis in an accredited educational institution for Fall 2023. These institutions include (but are not limited to):

  • High School
  • College (including 4-year colleges/universities, community college, and junior college) ·
  • Professional, Technical, Vocational, and Trade School·
  • Advanced Degree Program·
  • Certificate Program·
  • Other qualifying educational institutions
*A note about certificate programs: Certificate programs are defined as post-secondary education in a qualifying educational institute and must be equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study. The certificate program must also be a part of an accredited college-level, technical, vocational, trade, or business school curriculum.

Students graduating in Spring 2023 who are not accepted or enrolled for a new degree-seeking program after graduation will be rated ineligible for this position due to the requirement to have 640 work hours prior to conversion to the competitive service.

To qualify for the GS-5 grade level:
A. have completed 4 years of education above high school;
OR
B. have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: placing orders against single award contracts, or using credit card accounts; soliciting additional sources or questioning a price; recommending awards using primarily price and/or delivery as determining factors;
OR
C. have a combination of post high school education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11919850

Education

You must submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

  • All unofficial transcripts must include the following: enrollment status showing Spring 2023 courses, current overall GPA, major, and the number of credits for each course.
  • Additional proof of enrollment for the upcoming Summer 2023 or Fall 2023 semester will be required before a final job offer can be extended.
You must be currently enrolled on at least half-time basis for Spring 2023.

If you are recently enrolled for Spring 2023 semester and do not have a transcript, please provide enrollment verification including number of credits with your application (e.g. I graduated in Fall 2022 with a bachelor's degree and am now enrolled in a master's degree program on at least a half-time basis for Spring 2023).

If you have been accepted for Fall 2023 semester and do not have a transcript or enrollment verification, please provide a copy of an acceptance letter with your application (e.g. I am a high school senior graduating in May/June 2023 and have been accepted for Fall 2023 enrollment in a bachelor's program).

If you are unable to provide transcripts with the required information, please provide other proof of enrollment (e.g., enrollment verification letter) for Spring 2023 on at least a half-time basis and to include cumulative GPA.

Applicants who have completed their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization and must provide a copy of the evaluation prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

If you do not submit a transcript indicating your possession of the required education, you will not be considered for this position.

Conversion Into the Competitive Service

While conversion is not guaranteed, NIH Student Trainees, with U.S. citizenship, may be converted to a career-conditional appointment within 120 days of successful completion of all program requirements as specified by the Pathways Participant Agreement.

Non-competitive conversion may be made to either a one-grade or two-grade interval position, depending on the agency's policy. An individual participating in the Internship Program who otherwise meets the Program requirements for conversion (i.e., work hours, satisfactory performance, educational requirements, training completed, etc.) may be converted to a position that has an established career ladder.

Student Trainees must work 640 hours prior to graduation in order to be eligible for conversion.

A one-year probationary period will be required upon conversion into the competitive service.

Additional information

  • This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
  • Student Trainees and their supervisors must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement which outlines expectations for the internship prior to entrance on duty.
  • Student Trainees must work 640 hours prior to graduation in order to be eligible for conversion to the competitive service. Due to this requirement, students graduating in Spring 2023 and are not accepted or enrolled for a new degree-seeking program after graduation will be rated ineligible for this position.
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 of higher on a 4.0 scale is required throughout the duration of the program.
  • This position is eligible for local remote work, a position designation where onsite presence is required only on an irregular or infrequent basis, not to exceed two days or 16 hours every two weeks. Your worksite (e.g., home residence) must be within the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington pay locality to be eligible. Visit OPM's page for pay locality definitions. Visit NIH's Remote Work page for more information and requirements.
  • A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
  • We may make additional selections for similar positions within the commuting area(s) of the locations listed through this vacancy announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s). Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Visit our Applicant FAQs page for helpful information on the application process.
  • Visit our Total Compensation page and this sample for a detailed look into the benefits, awards, leave, retirement, and other incentives employees may receive as part of a rewarding work environment.

How you will be evaluated

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

Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Applications will be evaluated against the basic qualifications.

Veteran's Preference does apply. If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, to verify your preference claim and receive preference you MUST submit supporting documents with your application package. These documents may include, but are not limited to:

  • DD-214 member 4 copy (which indicates character of service),
  • SF-15,
  • VA Letter and/or
  • Activation/Deactivation orders.
If you are a veteran, click here for additional information and about required documents.

Selections will be made in preference order. All individuals in the highest preference group must be selected before making selections from the next lower preference eligible group. All preference eligibles must be selected before making selections from the non-preference eligible group.

TRANSCRIPT AND ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION

You must submit a copy of your transcript, that includes your name, school's name, cumulative GPA, course list, and course enrollment for Spring 2023. If you are enrolled for the Spring 2023 semester and do not have a transcript, you must provide enrollment verification for Spring 2023 with your application (e.g. I graduated in Fall 2022 with a bachelor's degree and am now enrolled in a master's degree program for Spring 2023).

You will NOT be considered under Pathways unless you provide supporting information from your school. Copies of documents from your school website are acceptable if they contain all relevant information as listed above.

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