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Student Trainee (Physical Scientist)

Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service (NWS), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP).
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This is a student trainee position with the National Weather Service (NWS), National Centers for Environmental Predication (NCEP), located in College Park, Maryland.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/13/2024 to 03/18/2024
Salary
$40,351 to - $52,452 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
College Park, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Part-time - 20 Hours
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NWS NCEP-24-12342002-ST
Control number
781294600

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Duties

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The National Weather Service is seeking an undergraduate or graduate level student working towards a degree in physical science in order to gain practical experience. The title for this position is a Student Trainee (Physical Scientist). As a Student Trainee (Physical Scientist), you will perform the following duties:

  • Receive on-the-job training and formal training to provide experience in the operation and familiarization with physical science programs, policies, and procedures.
  • Receives on-the-job training in the preparation several physical science fields or specialty areas.
  • Receives training in the development of a variety of studies and analyses of limited scope and complexity.
This position is not in the bargaining unit.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

The Student Trainee must:
- Be accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree or certificate in a qualifying educational institution on at least half-time basis as determined by the educational institution;
- Meet the definition of a student throughout the duration of their appointments and;
- Meet the qualification standards (e.g., series and grade) for the position.

Applicants must demonstrate proof of enrollment for the Spring or Fall of 2024 by submitting an official proof of enrollment letter from a qualifying educational institution or a transcript indicating courses to be taken in the Spring or Fall of 2024. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Key Requirements:

  1. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  2. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  3. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
  4. A minimum of one year trial period is required.
  • Individuals may be appointed for an initial period not to exceed 1 year (temporary appointment), or for an initial period expected to last more than 1 year but less than 4 years (term appointment), to coincide with the individual's academic curriculum. In either case, the initial appointment may be extended, in accordance with the appointment type, for a period that will allow the student to complete their degree requirements, provided the criteria for the post-secondary student appointment continue to be met.
  • Individuals may become a career-conditional employee upon completion of academic requirements and noncompetitive conversion to a permanent appointment.
  • If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts and/or letter from the school stating you are enrolled in a degree/certificateprogram on at least a half time basis in good standing and your expected graduation date.
  • A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

Qualifications

Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible for an appointment under the Pathways Internship Program:

  • You must be a student accepted for enrollment or enrolled in a degree or certificate program on a full- or half-time basis as defined by the school (certificate program means post-secondary education, in a qualifying educational institution, equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum); AND
  • Enrollment is with a qualifying educational institution such as a high school or state-approved homeschool; or accredited technical or vocational school; a 2- or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum; AND
  • Students currently enrolled must be in good academic standing maintaining a 2.0 grade point average on a cumulative basis; AND
  • The duties of this position should be related to your academic or career goals.
  • You must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout the duration of your appointment under the Pathways Internship Program.
Students who successfully complete the internship program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment or a term (1-4 years in duration) appointment without further competition. Eligibility requirements for conversion: must be a U.S. Citizen; complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program (*may waive up to a total of 320 hours under specific conditions); successfully complete your degree or certificate requirements from a qualifying institution; meet the qualification requirements for the position to which you will be converted; meet agency-specific requirements as outlined in the Participant's Agreement; and must have performed successfully in your position as documented through performance evaluations.

Qualification Requirements

To qualify at the GS-04:
Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree.

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.

  • 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.
  • Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation

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 guarenteed.

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 uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

The Department of the Commerce (DOC) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

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, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions).

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

  • Learning
  • Research
  • Technical Credibility



If it is determined that you have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible and/or not qualified.

To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12342002

Transcripts

--If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Please ensure that all documentation is legible.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) & Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Eligibles

--If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, the Servicing Human Resources Office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330 Subpart F for CTAP and 5 CFR 330 Subpart G for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. This includes:
  • copy of the agency notice;
  • your most recent Performance Rating; and
  • your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
If you are a CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to the assignment of veteran's preference points). For more information on CTAP/ICTAP please click here.

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