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Multi-Year Internship - Student Trainee

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in the Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Pacific Coast Ecology Branch. 

About: The Office of Research and Development (ORD)

This is an office-centered position*--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.
*Work-from-home flexibilities may be authorized as described in the Benefits section.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/26/2024 to 04/01/2024
This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$49,025 to - $77,955 per year

Salary will be based on the grade level for which you are selected.

Pay scale & grade
GS 07 - 09
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Newport, OR
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be required to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Internships - Initial period typically expected to last more than one year. Program end is generally the Intern’s projected graduation date, plus 120 days of conversion eligibility. Duration of appointment will be annotated in participant agreement.
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Part-Time or Full-Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
11 - As a Pathways Intern, you may be promoted in accordance with agency policy. If you are converted after Pathways program completion, you will be converted to a position with the full performance level indicated above.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
EPA-NF-OII-2024-0004
Control number
783566300

This job is open to

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Students

Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.

Clarification from the agency

Enrolled students or individuals who have been accepted for enrollment seeking a diploma, certificate, bachelor’s degree, graduate degree, or professional degree from a qualifying educational institution on a full- or half-time basis, including awardees of the Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship Program.

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Duties

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At the GS-07 level, you will:

  • Assist in data collection and analysis (such as water, plants, sediments, animals, etc.) from field (e.g. marshes, streams, or estuary) or record and report observations of changes.
  • Perform laboratory sample processing and data collection, including but not limited to, measuring, filtering, grinding, and weighing samples.
  • Review literature for assessment and information gathering.
  • Utilize laboratory equipment to analyze samples.
  • Assist senior staff, project officers, analytical staff, and other staff as necessary.

At the GS-09 level, you will:

  • Independently perform data collection and analysis (such as water, plants, sediments, animals, etc.) from field (e.g. marshes, streams, or estuary) or plan and execute experiments.
  • Set up and implement new procedures, and ensure proper collection and preservation of specimen.
  • Identify and resolve problems, and provide routine technical advice.
  • Write reports identifying methods, procedures and results of scientific studies.
  • Assist senior staff, project officers, researchers, analytical staff, and development staff.

One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section.
  • You must submit transcripts & proof of enrollment--see Required Documents.
  • You must be age 16 or older.
  • If you are selected, a written participant agreement must be signed.
  • You will be required to lift items weighing up to 25 pounds.

This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date.

You must have and maintain good academic standing as defined by your academic institution (typically a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0).

You must be enrolled at least half-time and maintain at least a half-time course load as defined by your academic institution (typically 6 undergraduate credit hours or 4.5 graduate credit hours per semester).

If you are selected, the entire period served under the Internship Program will be a trial period.

This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

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Qualifications

NOTE:  You must meet qualification requirements, including any requirements described in the Education section, by the closing date of this announcement.

In addition to the minimum educational requirements, you must have educational achievements and/or specialized experience related to this position as described below:

To qualify for the GS-07 level, you need to have one full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement (Superior Academic Achievement Definition) degree in the academic discipline as described below;
- OR at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-05 level defined as performing scientific data collection and analysis in coastal/estuarine/marine science;
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

To qualify for the GS-09 level, you need to have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in the academic discipline as described below;
- OR at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-07 level defined as performing scientific data collection/analysis in coastal/estuarine/marine science and writing scientific reports;
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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.

*If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

Education

You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.

Biology: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major, as listed.

Engineering: All applicants must meet one of the following requirements to qualify for consideration for an engineering position:

  • Successful completion of a professional engineering degree at an accredited university or college OR
  • Have a combination of college level education or training AND technical experience that has furnished you with (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
    • Professional registration as an engineer.
    • Evidence of passing the Engineer-in-Training written test.
    • Successful documented completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences as described by OPM.
    • Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field and at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Physical Science: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university 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; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Chemist: You must have a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics; OR a combination of education and experience with education equivalent to one of the majors listed that included the described coursework.

For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

Additional information

If you are graduating from your present course of study at the end of the current semester/quarter: You may be hired prior to graduation; however, to continue in this program after graduation, you must be continuing your education next semester/quarter and be accepted for enrollment seeking a diploma, certificate, bachelor’s degree, graduate degree, or professional degree from a qualifying educational institution on a full- or half-time basis.

Interns without not-to-exceed dates who successfully complete the program may be converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service without further competition; however, if you are being considered for conversion to a position that has positive education requirements, you must be enrolled in a degree program directly related to the position’s duties to be eligible for conversion to that position. The grade level you may be converted to will be dependent on the grade for which you qualify (based on your education and/or experience), but the grade level can be no higher than the promotion potential indicated in this announcement.

NOTE: To be eligible for conversion, you must complete 640 hours of work (if you meet all required criteria, up to 320 hours may be waived if: (1) you complete 320 hours of career-related work experience under an Internship Program appointment and have demonstrated high potential by outstanding academic achievement and exceptional job performance; or (2) you complete comparable non-federal internship experience in a field or functional area related to your target position).

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the Overview section.

EPA 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. For additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at EPA. Our excellence can only be fully realized by staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the Agency’s workplace and mission. We encourage applications from candidates with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization. The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve. To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA.

If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

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 and required documents to ensure you are eligible for Pathways Intern employment and meet the basic qualification requirements. We will notify you of the results of our evaluation through USAJOBS. If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments (e.g., technical writing sample or other work sample, job knowledge test, case scenario analysis, scientific data assessment, structured interview, etc.). 

NOTE:  Preference eligible veterans must be selected, or decline further consideration, before applicants who are ineligible for veterans’ preference can be selected (to learn more, visit Veterans' Preference).


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