This position is being filled under the College Graduate Student Program. This posting serves to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. This recruitment will be used to fill positions as they become available; however, there is no guarantee that an actual vacancy will be filled from this posting.
Summary
This position is being filled under the College Graduate Student Program. This posting serves to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. This recruitment will be used to fill positions as they become available; however, there is no guarantee that an actual vacancy will be filled from this posting.
Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous 2 years, a degree or certificate from a qualifying institution. (Exception: A veteran, who, due to military service obligations, was unable to apply within 2 years of receiving their degree, has as much as 6 years after degree completion to apply.). Must be a U.S. Citizen.
College graduate positions allow for the recruitment and fulfillment of mission-critical occupations and enables the use of strategic recruiting to hire recent college graduates for professional positions.
This position will provide a full range of contract specialist services and guidance to the NIST program officers in the preparation of contract requests and other pre- and post-award functions.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
Suitable for Federal employment
Degree must be from a qualifying institution
Bargaining Unit Position: No
A probationary period may be required
Completion of Confidential Financial Disclosure, Form OGE-450
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field;
OR
Completion of at least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.
In additioan to the Basic Requirements, to be eligible for the college graduate Program, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
A. Must have received a bachelor's or advanced degree from an institution of higher education no later than 2 years after the individual received their degree.
OR
B. Released or discharged from active duty within the previous two years, where the applicant is a veteran who, due to a military service obligation, was precluded from applying for a recent graduate position during any portion of the two-year eligibility period following completion of his/her degree requirements, provided that not more than six years have transpired since the applicant completed the requirements for his/her degree or certificate.
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 translate directly into paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.
Requesting Reconsideration: Applicants may request a reconsideration of their qualification determination within three business days of the date their application status is updated. Please refer to the following guidance for instructions on how to submit a request - Applicant Reconsideration
Education
Education & Documentation Requirements
This position has specific education requirements. To be considered, you must provide documentation verifying your eligibility for the College Graduate Program:
Transcripts: You must submit transcripts to validate that the education requirements have been met.
Initial Application: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application package.
Final Offer: If selected, an official transcript will be required before a final offer of employment is issued.
Program Eligibility: You are required to provide documentation (e.g., a diploma or final transcript showing degree conferral date) to support your eligibility for this specific program.
Resume Requirements
To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, your resume must be detailed, complete, and relevant to the position. It must include:
Dates of experience (Month/Year to Month/Year)
Work schedule (Number of hours worked per week)
Salary or Grade level
Specific duties and accomplishments for each role
Resume Length Limit: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. Any information provided on additional pages will not be reviewed or considered during the qualification and assessment process.
Additional information
This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS). The APMS is a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Find out more about the APMS here!
Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for the College Graduate Program, applicants must meet ONE of the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement:
Recent Graduate: Must have received a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education within the previous two years.
Veteran Exception: If you are a veteran who was precluded from applying during the initial two-year window due to a military service obligation, you may still be eligible if no more than six years have elapsed since you completed your degree requirements.
Application Requirements: Your resume must be complete, detailed, and relevant to the position. Please ensure it includes all necessary information, such as dates of employment (start/end), salary, and work schedule (e.g., hours per week).
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
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.
Our HR team will conduct a comprehensive review of your resume, optional cover letter, and all supporting documentation to assess your qualifications against the requirements of this position.
Documentation is Critical: You must provide clear, legible, and detailed evidence of your experience, education, and skills.
Determination: Failure to provide sufficient, legible evidence that directly supports your qualifications may result in a "not qualified" determination. Ensure your resume clearly maps your experience to the requirements listed in this announcement.
Referral Process
If you are determined to be minimally qualified for this position, your application may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Please note the following:
Interviews: You may be required to participate in a selection interview.
Priority Consideration: We are committed to a fair and inclusive hiring process. Eligible veterans, as well as candidates qualifying under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP), the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), and military spouse preference programs, will be considered in accordance with applicable federal regulations.
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.
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.
Resume Length Limit: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. Any information provided on additional pages will not be reviewed or considered during the qualification and assessment process.
Required Documentation: Failure to submit all required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in an incomplete application and an "INELIGIBLE" rating. Please ensure your application package includes the following:
Unofficial Transcripts: You must submit your transcript(s) to validate your educational qualifications.
Note: Your major/field of study must be clearly listed on the documentation provided by your institution.
Note: Resumes and cover letters will not be accepted as verification of your major or enrollment status.
Proof of Enrollment: You must provide documentation confirming your current enrollment (e.g., unofficial transcript, course schedule, official acceptance letter, or a letter from the registrar).
Degree/Diploma Program Verification: You must provide documentation that reflects the degree or diploma program in which you are currently enrolled or have been accepted.
Important Reminders:
No Late Submissions: Required documents will not be accepted after the closing date of this announcement.
Documentation Standards: All documents must be issued by the school or university. Self-declared information provided only in a resume or cover letter does not satisfy this requirement and will lead to an "INELIGIBLE" determination.
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.
To begin, click 'Apply' and follow the process to attach your resume and required documents.
Flexibility: While completing your application, you may review, edit, delete, and update your information.
Deadline: You must complete the online process and submit all required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement.
Confirmation: Once submitted, you will receive an email confirmation.
Status Updates: The Human Resources Office will evaluate your application for eligibility. You will receive a subsequent notification regarding your status once the evaluation is complete.
Technical Assistance & Support
For Application Issues (NIST Support): If you experience difficulties after clicking 'Apply' (within the agency application portal), please contact the Agency Contact listed in this announcement during business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET).
Tip: If you encounter an error, please provide a screenshot or the specific error message text and number to help us troubleshoot.
For USAJOBS Account Issues: If you need help with your USAJOBS account, password resets, or the Resume Builder, please visit the USAJOBS Help Center. NIST does not maintain the USAJOBS platform and cannot provide technical support for account-level issues.
Hardship Accommodations: If a significant hardship prevents you from applying online, you must contact the Agency Contact listed in this announcement during regular business hours prior to the closing date to discuss alternative arrangements.
Acquisition Management Division
100 Bureau Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
US
Next steps
Tracking Your Application Status
You can monitor the progress of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS Account. Your applications and their current statuses will appear on the Welcome screen.
For a detailed explanation of what each status means (e.g., "Received," "Referred," or "Selected"), please visit the USAJOBS Help Center.
When to Expect Updates
The Human Resources Office will update your application status at these key milestones:
Qualification Determination: Once we have reviewed your transcripts and resume. (Please note: If you are found ineligible or not qualified, further updates may not be provided.)
Referral: When qualified applications are sent to the selecting official for review.
Selection: Once a final hiring decision has been made.
Communication Responsibilities
Contact Information: If your email or phone number changes after the closing date, please notify the Agency Contact immediately.
Email Settings: Ensure your email address is accurate and your mailbox is not full. NIST is not responsible for missed communications due to full mailboxes or automated spam filters. Failure to respond to agency inquiries in a timely manner may result in your removal from consideration.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Resume Length Limit: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. Any information provided on additional pages will not be reviewed or considered during the qualification and assessment process.
Required Documentation: Failure to submit all required documentation by the closing date of this announcement will result in an incomplete application and an "INELIGIBLE" rating. Please ensure your application package includes the following:
Unofficial Transcripts: You must submit your transcript(s) to validate your educational qualifications.
Note: Your major/field of study must be clearly listed on the documentation provided by your institution.
Note: Resumes and cover letters will not be accepted as verification of your major or enrollment status.
Proof of Enrollment: You must provide documentation confirming your current enrollment (e.g., unofficial transcript, course schedule, official acceptance letter, or a letter from the registrar).
Degree/Diploma Program Verification: You must provide documentation that reflects the degree or diploma program in which you are currently enrolled or have been accepted.
Important Reminders:
No Late Submissions: Required documents will not be accepted after the closing date of this announcement.
Documentation Standards: All documents must be issued by the school or university. Self-declared information provided only in a resume or cover letter does not satisfy this requirement and will lead to an "INELIGIBLE" determination.
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.
To begin, click 'Apply' and follow the process to attach your resume and required documents.
Flexibility: While completing your application, you may review, edit, delete, and update your information.
Deadline: You must complete the online process and submit all required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement.
Confirmation: Once submitted, you will receive an email confirmation.
Status Updates: The Human Resources Office will evaluate your application for eligibility. You will receive a subsequent notification regarding your status once the evaluation is complete.
Technical Assistance & Support
For Application Issues (NIST Support): If you experience difficulties after clicking 'Apply' (within the agency application portal), please contact the Agency Contact listed in this announcement during business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET).
Tip: If you encounter an error, please provide a screenshot or the specific error message text and number to help us troubleshoot.
For USAJOBS Account Issues: If you need help with your USAJOBS account, password resets, or the Resume Builder, please visit the USAJOBS Help Center. NIST does not maintain the USAJOBS platform and cannot provide technical support for account-level issues.
Hardship Accommodations: If a significant hardship prevents you from applying online, you must contact the Agency Contact listed in this announcement during regular business hours prior to the closing date to discuss alternative arrangements.
Acquisition Management Division
100 Bureau Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
US
Next steps
Tracking Your Application Status
You can monitor the progress of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS Account. Your applications and their current statuses will appear on the Welcome screen.
For a detailed explanation of what each status means (e.g., "Received," "Referred," or "Selected"), please visit the USAJOBS Help Center.
When to Expect Updates
The Human Resources Office will update your application status at these key milestones:
Qualification Determination: Once we have reviewed your transcripts and resume. (Please note: If you are found ineligible or not qualified, further updates may not be provided.)
Referral: When qualified applications are sent to the selecting official for review.
Selection: Once a final hiring decision has been made.
Communication Responsibilities
Contact Information: If your email or phone number changes after the closing date, please notify the Agency Contact immediately.
Email Settings: Ensure your email address is accurate and your mailbox is not full. NIST is not responsible for missed communications due to full mailboxes or automated spam filters. Failure to respond to agency inquiries in a timely manner may result in your removal from consideration.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
