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Student Trainee (Physical Scientist)

Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service (NWS), Pacific Region (PR), Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the National Weather Service (NWS), Pacific Region (PR), Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), with one vacancy in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
01/15/2025 to 01/22/2025
Salary
$37,635 to - $48,930 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Honolulu, HI
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
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
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NWS PR HI-25-12659896-PATH
Control number
828070600

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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National Weather Service (NWS), Pacific Region (PR), Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC): The PTWC was formed in 1949, is one of two tsunami warning centers operated by the United States. It provides official tsunami warnings to Hawaii and the U.S. territories of
American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean, and to Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea. PTWC also acts as an international tsunami warning center providing rapid advice about tsunami threats to all countries bordering the Pacific and its marginal seas as well as to all countries in the Caribbean and its adjacent seas.

As a Pathways Student at PTWC, you will have the opportunity to learn about the various aspects of
tsunami warning - what causes tsunami waves, how they propagate to nearby and distant coasts, how they impact coasts as a destructive and life-threatening hazard, and all the components of tsunami hazard mitigation. While major ocean-crossing tsunamis may happen only a few times each century, smaller and potentially hazardous tsunamis happen a few times each year. You will likely be able to observe and even participate in PTWC's response to one or more of these events. You will learn about the science and tools used in this response, as well as about new science, instrumentation, and communications that are being considered for application to the tsunami warning problem. You can apply your skills to help with any aspect of PTWC's procedures and processes.

As a Student Trainee (Physical Scientist), you will perform the following duties:

  • Receive on-the-job and formal training to provide experience in the familiarization with National Weather Service programs, policies, and procedures; and an opportunity to perform progressively more responsible assignments as experience is gained.
This position is not in the bargaining unit.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

The Student Trainee 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 Spring of 2025, by submitting an official proof of enrollment letter from a qualifying educational institution or a transcript indicating courses to be taken in the Spring of 2025. 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.

Key Requirements:

  1. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  2. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  3. A minimum one year trial period will be required.
  4. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
  5. Must sign a Pathways Programs Participant Agreement.
  6. Housing will not be provided.
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
  • 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 480 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program (*In accordance with 5 CFR 362.204, 160 hours may be waived under certain conditions provided the Intern has completed at least 320 work hours under a Pathways Internship Appointment); 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

To qualify at the GS-04:
Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree.

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 (180) 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 480 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 180-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.

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