Clarification from the agency

This is only open to current graduate students that are in an accredited university. Must be pursuing a bachelor's or graduate degree on at least a part-time basis, as defined by the higher education institution.

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This position is being filled under the Pathways Internship Program. The program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with paid work opportunities in agencies to explore Federal careers while still in school. The Internship provides managers a ready source of student employees and potential permanent employees upon completion of the program requirements. It also provides the student with work experience directly related to the curriculum studies or career goals while offering eligibility for non-competitive conversion to permanent employment upon completion. For more information on Internship opportunities within the Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit: https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/pathways-internship-program/.

• Attend facility strategic and succession planning meetings to observe techniques and methodologies in personnel management.
• Manages, leads, and administers project plans, which include meeting objectives, assigning resources, providing briefings/presentations.
• The incumbent will be responsible for assisting with a wide range of data and information analysis as it pertains to programs.
• Develop performance monitoring tools to provide leadership with real time data on their programs.
• Knowledge of analytical and investigative techniques concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of work operations carried out by administrative personnel, or substantive administrative support functions within a service line of a medical center related to preparing and coordinating budget, staff, and project papers and reports.

Work Schedule: Part-time 20 hours per week, hours vary.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• You must be at least 16 years old (by closing date of this vacancy announcement)
• Selective Service Registration-required males (over 18) born after 12/31/59
• Must be accepted for/currently enrolled in a qualified educational institution
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/01/2026.

Internship Program: To be eligible, applicants must be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis as defined by the institution in which you are enrolled.

You may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

1. Extract data from internal and external collection points to develop comprehensive systems designed to trend data.
2. Gather information, identifying, and analyzing issues, and developing recommendations to resolve problems in program or program support operations.
3. Use of all Microsoft Office Suite products and VSSC/Pyramid Analytics, (or comparable systems).
4. Execute complex administrative/automation functions, process mapping, project management and database/file sharing structures.
5. Work closely with clinical and administrative teams, including clear communication skills and ability to encourage others.

OR

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed 4 full academic years of post-high school education leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree. (TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE UPLOADED AS A PART OF YOUR APPLICATION.)

OR

• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specific experience required. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Analytical Reasoning
• Attention to Detail
• Communications
• Computer Skills
• Flexibility
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Problem Solving
• Self-Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Technology Application

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; religions; 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.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Physical Requirements: Work is mostly sedentary, but there is a moderate amount of walking involved, with infrequent bending, lifting, and stooping. Vision should be sufficient to read from a computer screen for prolonged periods without excessive fatigue and inputting data into the computer requires prolonged use of a keyboard.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.