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Student Trainee (Information Technology)

Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
David Skaggs Research Center (DSRC), Office of Executive Director (OED)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), David Skaggs Research Center (DSRC), Office of Executive Director (OED), with one vacancy in Boulder, CO.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/27/2023 to 01/09/2024
Salary
$54,505 - $95,441 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZP 2
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Boulder, CO
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Internships
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - May work full-time during the summer and flexible part-time work schedule during the school year.
Service
Excepted
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
OAR-24-12246932-PATH
Control number
767807700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Students who have been accepted for enrollment or are currently enrolled in an accredited educational institution in good academic standing leading to completion of a degree or Certificate program.

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Duties

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This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). This system replaced the Federal GS pay plan and structure. Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band.

The ZP-2 is equivalent to the GS-7/10. This position has no promotion potential.

As a Student Trainee (Information Technology), you will perform the following duties:

  • Work with higher level specialists to identify areas of improvement in hardware and software, and may be responsible for carrying out related activities. Troubleshoot software and equipment to determine methods for improvement or correction of established methods. Support the installation or removal of a variety of information technology (IT) equipment to include, but is not limited to, audio visual (AV), video tele-conferencing (VTC) equipment, servers, routers, switches, uninterruptible power supply units, wireless access points, patch panels, and equipment racks.
  • Carry out a variety of assignments and projects, as assigned by the higher specialists to develop original content, develop, design, and maintain websites and design and develop and maintain business workflows using a variety of platforms and developer tools. Utilize a variety of programming languages to complete tasks. Meet with system administrator and staff to create solutions for the workplace. Apply security policies and best practices to websites and applications.
  • Provide service to customers and assists senior IT specialists in resolving a variety of issues related to the assigned IT area. Assist with providing services such as the inventorying,
This position is not in the bargaining unit.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

The Intern (Career) 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;- Meet agency-specific requirements as specified in the agency's Participant Agreement with the Intern and;- Meet the qualification standards (e.g., series and grade) for the position.

Applicants must demonstrate proof of enrollment for the Term Fall/Winter of 2023/2024 by submitting an official proof of enrollment letter from a qualifying educational institution or a transcript indicating courses to be taken in the Term Fall/Winter of 2023/2024. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

This position is being recruited with an opportunity for non-competitive conversion eligibility to a permanent OR term position in the competitive service upon completion of all program requirements. Conversion is not mandatory nor guaranteed (see Other Information).

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.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
  • If converted to a permanent or term appointment, the anticipated target position will be Student Trainee (Information Technology), ZP-2210-2; however, the target position and FPL may change based on the need of the organization at that time. Interns must meet the qualification requirements for the position to which converted.
  • 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
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. 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.

To qualify at the ZP-2 or GS-07 level:

EDUCATION:

A.
One full year of graduate level education.
-OR-
B. SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT:
As demonstrated by a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with one of the following. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your application clearly states how you meet the provision below:
  • A grade point average (GPA) of 2.9 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study;
  • A GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study, or those courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study;
  • Class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college;
  • Membership in a national Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies.
NOTE: Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.

-OR-

EXPERIENCE:
Experience must be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate.


Applicants must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the following four competencies:
  1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
  2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
  3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
  4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
-AND-
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
In addition to meeting the IT Competencies above, applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-1 or GS-05 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
  • Assisting with information technology systems (IT) testing and implementation; and
  • Assisting with troubleshooting of IT issues.

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.

  • 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 guaranteed.

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.

Your resume, supporting documents and responses to the online questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements. Veterans' preference applies to all selections made under the Pathways authority in accordance with CFR, Part 302.

To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12246932

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Agency contact information

Paul Lilley
Email
paul.lilley@noaa.gov
Address
NOAA Office of Human Capital Services (OHCS)
1315 East West Hwy
SSMC4
Silver Spring, MD 20910
US

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