This is a Student Internship position under the Pathways Internship Program.
To qualify for this Internship, you MUST be a continuing student enrolled or accepted for enrollment for the current/upcoming semesters for the duration of the internship as a condition of employment, taking at least a half-time course load. You will be required to provide documentation to support eligibility. Students may be employed throughout the academic year.
Summary
This is a Student Internship position under the Pathways Internship Program.
To qualify for this Internship, you MUST be a continuing student enrolled or accepted for enrollment for the current/upcoming semesters for the duration of the internship as a condition of employment, taking at least a half-time course load. You will be required to provide documentation to support eligibility. Students may be employed throughout the academic year.
Yes—The position may be eligible for telework. This is not a full-time telework position or approved as a remote work position.
Travel Required
75% or less - Travel will be required for fieldwork assignments. Some assignments may involve extensive travel. Construction project sites may be in very remote locations. While performing outdoor fieldwork, walking and climbing in varying types of terrain and some lifting of items, up to 60 pounds, may be necessary.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Internships - Excepted Service Appointment for an initial period expected to last for more than 1-year.
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Full Time / Part Time. Some assignments will require varied schedules, i.e. weekends, evenings and night work. Schedules may be full-time during the summer, and part-time flexible, or Leave without Pay, during the school year (based on agency needs).
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. This position is part of the Pathways Program and is open to current students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational institution and enrolled at least half-time. Additional information can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets
Are you ready to start your career in a Federal Agency that consistently ranks high as a best place to work? Do you want to make a difference designing and overseeing construction of roads, bridges, and trails in National Parks, Forests, Wildlife Refuges, and Recreation Areas? Since the early 1900’s our mission at the Office of Federal Lands Highway (FLH) of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has been to build safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient access to our Nation’s treasures! Our partners rely upon us to solve and manage unique program and project challenges that are wide-ranging in environment, geography, and complexity, through engineering solutions that are sensitive to the context of the land. For more information, visit https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/careers. Western Federal Lands Highway Division #WeWorkWhereYouPlay!
These internships are headquartered in a FHWA Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD) office. Assignments may be performed at any of the WFLHD projects located in the Western states.
The ideal candidates are current students pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering or a related field (Construction Engineering Management, Geomatics, etc.) and has a desire to learn about the various aspects of highway engineering including design and construction of highways, trails, and bridges.
The Pathways Student Trainee (Civil Engineering) will intern in support of the development, acquisition, construction, or post construction phases of projects. Duties will vary depending on summer assignment. Most interns will be assigned to the construction branch, but some may be assigned to an engineering discipline in one of the additional areas noted below.
The Pathways Student Trainee (Civil Engineering) will intern in one of the following areas:
Construction
Inspect and test assignments on construction projects.
Perform field sampling and test construction materials.
Participate in partner meetings.
Serve as an instrument operator or rodman on construction survey of projects or monitor contractor stakeout, including staking of centerline, slope staking, drainage staking, structural staking, and setting of grade stakes.
Compute and balance quantities.
Highway Design
Prepare roadway plans and quantity calculations, title sheets, plan profile sheets, alignment layout, supplementary drawings, earthwork calculations, and pipe and box culvert structure detailing.
Compute curves and traverses.
Assemble plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E) documents.
Perform basic drafting.
Materials
Log in samples, prepare samples for testing, monitor testing procedures, and record data of materials such as concrete, soils, asphalt, and roadway aggregates.
Visually inspect materials and determine sizes to be crushed; lift and handle samples; observe and operate sieve shakers.
Retrieve and compile data.
Research past mix designs and compile comparison data.
Survey
Assist survey crew.
Perform basic engineering computations using formulas, hand held calculators, and electronic survey equipment.
Serve as instrument operator and/or target cube holder on construction survey and/or engineering stakeout of project or assist in monitoring contract stakeout.
Planning and Programming
Collect and assemble data.
Assist in preparing damage site assessments and reports for Emergency Relief projects.
Prepare environmental compliance documentation.
Prepare agreements for projects.
Bridge Design, Management, and Inspection
Prepare project specifications and perform design and quality check on PS&E packages.
Prepare field assessments, gather information, and perform preliminary scoping of projects.
Compile structural analysis and design of concrete, steel, or timber bridge components.
Use Microstation CADD to prepare bridge plan sheets.
Perform calculations of quantities and basic engineering calculations.
Operate bridge inspection equipment, take and record data, develop sketches and prepare required reports.
Perform structures inventory and evaluate data.
Hydraulics
Perform Hydrologic and Hydraulic design calculations.
Assist in developing drainage design and Storm Water Management Plans.
Prepare technical reports and cost estimates.
Prepare project specifications and review of PS&E packages.
Gather project site information, inspect construction, confirm post-construction BMP installation, or identify assets.
Review and summarize permits or correspondence from regulatory agencies.
You must be a U.S. Citizen and meet the requirements of the program.
You must be at least 16 years of age
Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
PATHWAYS ELIGIBILITY - To be eligible for appointment to a position in the DOT Internship Program, throughout the duration of the appointment, an individual must:
Be accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree or certificate in a qualifying educational institution on a half to full-time basis (as determined by the educational institution).
Be seeking a degree that is relevant to this position.
Be able to work at least 16 hours per week, depending on your academic schedule, and preferably full-time during the summer.
Grade qualifications must be met prior to start date.
If selected you:
Must sign a Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement;
May be employed throughout the academic year;
Must maintain status as a current student;
Must maintain good academic standing, at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 grading scale.
Must furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and
Must provide verification of academic status (transcript) at the end of each academic term.
UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP: Must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
DECLARATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT: Selectee is required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine suitability for federal employment.
TRIAL PERIOD: The intern is in a trial period throughout the entire Pathways Internship appointment.
GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
DRIVER'S LICENSE: Applicants are required to possess and maintain a valid, State-issued Driver’s license and a safe driving record.
WORK SCHEDULE: Full Time / Part Time. Some assignments will require varied schedules, i.e. weekends, evenings and night work. Schedules may be full-time during the summer, and part-time flexible, or Leave without Pay, during the school year (based on agency needs). Pathways intern hours worked cannot interfere with academic studies.
Qualifications
Please be sure that you have read and meet the Pathways program requirements under the Requirements section. Then, to further meet the minimum qualifications for this position, review the following education requirements and grade specific requirements to determine full eligibility before applying:
MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must be pursuing a degree in professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
You then must meet the education requirements for each grade which you are requesting consideration for:
GS-02: Completion of high school or GED diploma.
GS-03: Completion of one academic year of post-high school study.
GS-04: Completion of two academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree.
GS-05: Completion of four academic years of post-high school study leading to a bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree.
GS-07: Completion of one academic year of graduate level education; OR eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement* provision, as defined in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual for Qualification Standards, and completion of a bachelor's degree.
*Superior Academic Achievement for GS-07 eligibility option: (Bachelor's degree) - In the upper one-third of graduating class; OR a GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0, as recorded on official transcript, or based on courses completed during final 2 years of curriculum; OR a GPA of 3.5 or higher out of 4.0, based on average of required courses completed in major or required courses in major completed during the final 2 years of curriculum.
Academic Year Clarification:
At the undergraduate level, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. When academic credit is expressed in units or other terms that differ from conventional semester or quarter hours, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide an interpretation of such credits from the institution.
At the graduate level (above a Bachelor's degree), one year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full time study requirement for GS-07. When academic credit is expressed in units or other terms that differ from conventional semester or quarter hours, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide an interpretation of such credits from the institution.
You may use 2024 in-progress semester/quarter hours to qualify for a higher grade level. Qualifications will be determined based on completed and in-progress hours stated on your unofficial transcript submitted at the time of application. To be qualifying, you must successfully complete and receive credit for the courses and provide an updated official transcript before you enter on duty.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
Oral Communication - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
Computer Skills - Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
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.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the start of the internship.
Education
Refer to the Qualifications section for Mandatory Education Requirements specific to this series, and the Requirements section for information pertaining to the Pathways Internship Program.
Additional information
PLEASE NOTE: This announcement establishes an open continuous (approx. 6 months) vacancy announcement for Student Trainee (Civil Engineer), GS-0899-2/3/4/5/7. Given our continuing need for Interns, we will routinely review applications and refer the top candidates for potential interviews during the open period of the announcement. Review and referral of applications will be completed on an as needed basis with the initial review occurring within the two weeks after 10/21/2024.
This is an Excepted Service Appointment. This is an Excepted Service appointment. As a part of the Pathways Internship Program, the appointment may be extended until the selectee's educational program requirements have been completed. The student intern may be converted, without a break in service to a term (time-limited) or permanent appointment upon graduation, to a position that has a career ladder targeted up to the GS-12, provided they are a US citizen who has worked at least 640 hours in an appropriate program and receive a favorable recommendation from the supervisor for retention. There is no guarantee of a permanent position following this internship. The selectee is on a trial period while on a Pathways Internship appointment.
Additional Conditions of Employment:
WORKING CONDITIONS: Fieldwork is accomplished at the project site where you may be exposed to high noise levels, hazardous chemicals, and varying weather terrain conditions. And, regular and recurring exposure to outdoor conditions involving moderate exposure to rain, snow, cold/hot weather, icy streams, and rivers. Field office work is accomplished in an office setting, typically a trailer type building on or near the project location.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing outdoor fieldwork, walking and climbing in varying types of terrain and some lifting of items, up to 60 pounds, may be necessary.
TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position may be eligible for occasional and/or regularly scheduled telework. The number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation
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.
DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.
Once you complete and submit your application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the job. Qualified students will be referred to the hiring manager in unranked order by veteran preference status: (1) Preference eligible having a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more; (2) all other candidates eligible for 10-point veteran preference; (3) candidates eligible for 5-point veteran preference; and (4) candidates not eligible for veteran preference.
You will not be considered for the position if any part of the application or supporting documentation is incomplete. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or adverse action after hiring.
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: Your resume MUST contain specific information used to make a qualification determination that includes employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time or average number of hours worked per week, and position titles. If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level. The resume should show relevant experience and education as well as support the required specialized experience. Formatted resumes may be uploaded later in the application process. For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/
Completed Questionnaire.
College Transcripts: Required from all applicants who are currently enrolled. Copies of your transcripts which include courses currently in progress. “Unofficial” transcripts are acceptable. (Prior to appointment, an official transcript will be required.)
Acceptance Letter of Enrollment: A letter from the educational institution that confirms the following: The degree/diploma program in which you have been accepted and that you will be enrolled on at least a half-time basis in the upcoming semester. Required from all applicants who have been accepted for enrollment and have not yet attended, therefore do not have a transcript to submit.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - click here. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application.
VETERANS: Your last DD214 (member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility. It need not be official.
If you are claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. And a SF-15 is desired, but not required.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
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.
You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.
To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
DOT, FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Next steps
You may check your application status by logging into USAJobs.com. (Select "My USAJOBS" and click "Applications"). When a request for applicants is received from the hiring agency, a Human Resources Specialist will evaluate your application. Referral will be determined based on the documents and information received by your application date. You can update your application at any time, up to the closing date of the announcement. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration in veteran's preference order. If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly.
If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the vacancy is closed and all internships are filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
RESUME: Your resume MUST contain specific information used to make a qualification determination that includes employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time or average number of hours worked per week, and position titles. If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level. The resume should show relevant experience and education as well as support the required specialized experience. Formatted resumes may be uploaded later in the application process. For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/
Completed Questionnaire.
College Transcripts: Required from all applicants who are currently enrolled. Copies of your transcripts which include courses currently in progress. “Unofficial” transcripts are acceptable. (Prior to appointment, an official transcript will be required.)
Acceptance Letter of Enrollment: A letter from the educational institution that confirms the following: The degree/diploma program in which you have been accepted and that you will be enrolled on at least a half-time basis in the upcoming semester. Required from all applicants who have been accepted for enrollment and have not yet attended, therefore do not have a transcript to submit.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - click here. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application.
VETERANS: Your last DD214 (member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility. It need not be official.
If you are claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. And a SF-15 is desired, but not required.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
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.
You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.
To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
DOT, FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Next steps
You may check your application status by logging into USAJobs.com. (Select "My USAJOBS" and click "Applications"). When a request for applicants is received from the hiring agency, a Human Resources Specialist will evaluate your application. Referral will be determined based on the documents and information received by your application date. You can update your application at any time, up to the closing date of the announcement. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration in veteran's preference order. If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly.
If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the vacancy is closed and all internships are filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
