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Located in Boulder, Colorado, the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) is the research and engineering laboratory of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). ITS supports NTIA by performing the research and engineering that enables the U.S. Government, national and international standards organizations, and many aspects of private industry to manage the radio spectrum and ensure that innovative, new technologies are recognized and effective.
Learn more about this agency04/12/2019 to 04/26/2019
$24,058 - $80,404 per year
ZP 01 - 02
No
Not required
No
Internships - Temporary appointment NTE 12 months.
Full-time - Pathways Program Internship (Student Trainee) Excepted Service Appointment
Excepted
03 - A person may be non-competitively promoted to the next band without further competition; however, promotions are not automatic or guaranteed and are given at the discretion of the supervisor.
No
No
NTIA-ITS-2019-0011
530506000
Applications will only be accepted from students CURRENTLY enrolled in a degree or certificate-seeking (Diploma, Bachelors, Masters, etc.) academic program recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Full-time during school breaks and Part-time 10 to 20 hours while attending school for students in the commuting area.
The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences is seeking bright, innovative, results-oriented individuals to join our Pathways Internship Program (IP). Internships can be seasonal (spring, summer, fall) or year-round. Interns may work full-time while on academic breaks or part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while attending school. The Internship Program under the Pathways Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in Federal agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and getting paid for work performed. At the successful conclusion of this program, you may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a Federal career or career-conditional position. For more information on our work, please visit our website: www.its.bldrdoc.gov.
The selectee will serve as a Student Trainee in the electrical or computer engineering field assisting senior computer and electronics engineers. This position entails a variety of opportunities including:
For electrical engineering interns: Duties will include assisting technical staff in measurements of radio wave propagation, research and development of spectrum monitoring tools, radio wave propagation research, development of electromagnetic compatibility tools, assessment of over-the-air radio frequency transmissions, or evaluation of systems’ susceptibility to interference. Student trainees will work with senior engineers to configure measurement system hardware, configure systems for instrument control, conduct measurements in both field and lab environments, and post-process and analyze data. Students will apply established methods, tests, procedures, and techniques, and recording actions and results. Applicants will be working in a team-based environment, where they will meet regularly to provide status updates. Students will contribute to technical reports, refereed journals, and technical presentations. Prior course work in electromagnetic fields and waves, physics, mathematics, experimental science and experience with Matlab®, python or software defined radios is desired and it is expected that applicants will be able to adapt their knowledge to additional tasks.
For computer engineering interns: Duties will include implementing complex mathematical algorithms; developing, validating, and verifying of software implementations; improving and validating radio wave propagation models; and implementing novel RF measurement methods. Interns will be responsible for computer software programming development, testing, and documentation and applying engineering methods and techniques on communication systems. Applicants will be working in a team-based environment, where they will meet regularly to provide status updates through project management and source control tools. Proficiency in modern programming concepts is preferred and it is expected that applicants will be able to adapt their knowledge to additional tasks.
Applicants must meet ALL application requirements, to include a complete online resume, by 11:59 p.m. EASTERN TIME ZONE (ETZ) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. The duration of this Pathways appointment will serve as a trial period.
Any required investigations and clearances must be completed before the selectee can be placed in the position.
To qualify for either band, the candidate must be:
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and 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 employments. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcement 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 website located at www.opm.gov/qualifications.
To qualify for the ZP-I Student Trainee (Engineering) position you must possess the following:
Completion of high school or GED diploma (equivalent to GS-2); completion of I full academic year of post-high school study (equivalent to GS-3); completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree (equivalent to GS-4); or completion of 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree (equivalent to GS-5).
To qualify for the ZP-II Student Trainee (Engineering) position you must possess the following:
Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education; or Eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and completion of a bachelor's degree (equivalent to GS-7); or completion of 2 academic years of graduate level education, or a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree (equivalent to GS-9).
OR
One year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (GS-5 or equivalent pay band) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience with computer or electrical engineering concepts. Developing, validating, and verifying software implementations (computer engineering) or configuring measurement systems, and processing and analyzing research data (electrical engineering).
OR
A combination of experience and education.
Interns may be converted to a permanent (or, in some limited circumstances, to a term position lasting 1-4 years) within 120 days of successful completion of the program. Program requirements for conversion include:
This appointment may continue until the selectee earns 640 work education hours AND education program requirements have been completed, at which time the individual may, at the agency's discretion, be converted to a term or permanent appointment. Pathways intern are not conferred any rights nor guarantee for conversion at the end of the appointment.
Additional Pathways Program Internship information can be found at www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets.
The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Office via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your transcripts, resume, optional cover letter, and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, your application will be referred to the hiring manager in unranked order by veterans preference status: (1) Preference eligible; (2) Candidates not eligible for veteran's preference.
To preview questions please click here.
A complete application consists of the following:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at www.usajobs.gov. To begin, click the Apply Online button near on the right side of this screen and follow the prompts to register into your USAJOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents.
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at www.usajobs.gov and click on "Applications" Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application"
If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or phone at 866-656-6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.
For instructions on submitting your application in another format please contact DOCHROC@doc.gov or 202-482-6320
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov/ and clicking on “Applications". The status will be visible next to the corresponding positions. The four points of notification are:
1. Application Received or Application Incomplete;
2. Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met;
3. Referred or Not Referred; and
4. Selected or Not Selected
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/530506000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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