Open Date: October 1, 2022.
Closing Date: October 28, 2022.

Position Title: Intern –Student Trainee (Engineering and Architecture) GS-0899-03.
Type of Appointment: Post-Secondary Students for a TERM appointment, then will be converted to permanent upon completion of intern program.
Location: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District. (Duty location could be Spokane, WA; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA; Seattle, WA; Yakima, WA).

Salary Range:
GS-03: $28,758 – $41,273 - This is the Recruitment Grade
GS-04: $32,283 – $46,330 - This is the Target Grade

Duties:
This intern position is designed to prepare a student trainee for employment after graduation as a General, Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineer or Architect. Interns will be assigned tasks designed to increase familiarity with the target occupation in a real
world work environment.

- Perform a variety of standardized and non-standardized engineering tasks to accomplish or provide technical support on assigned projects.
- Assist in design analysis and modifications by compiling, computing, tabulating and making graphic or model presentations of pertinent data.
- Review specifications, drawings, technical reports and other documentation.
- Research standard references, guides, precedents and other sources to obtain pertinent technical information.
- Prepare drawings and sketches using familiar methods, procedures and data inputs.
- Conduct tests on materials and equipment which involves collecting and preparing samples, adjusting and operating equipment, recording instrument readings and evaluating test data.

For this internship, you must be a current student majoring in General, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or a similar accredited Engineering degree or Architecture. These occupations have specific educational requirements for entry and applicants must show evidence that their planned academic program will meet those requirements (i.e., transcript reflecting enrollment in applicable programs). Students who graduate without meeting those requirements may not be converted to the target position and could be separated from federal service.

Education Requirement Links:
Engineering - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
Architect - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/architecture-series-0808/

Qualifications:
To qualify for this Student Trainee (Engineering and Architecture) position at the GS-03 level under the Internship program:

INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS:
Positions are open to CURRENT students pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate in an accredited high school, college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution who are currently enrolled in at least a half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled). NOTE: Short-term training programs (e.g., several two-week programs
completed) are not considered an academic course of study. 

This opportunity follows a standard promotional path:

1.Internship selection will be made at the GS-03. This grade level is what typical college students in their second year may qualify at. (If selected at theGS-899-03 can be promoted non-competitively to the GS-0899-04 while in the Intern Program).

2.Within 120 days after completion of Internship requirements, you may be eligible for conversion to the entry-level for the target occupation. Entry level for these positions is typically at the GS-05, GS-07 or GS-09 level.

3.The full performance level of this position is GS-12.

4.Progression from the entry-level to the full performance level for this occupation will depend on successful completion of all requirements for promotion. Promotions may be considered after a year at each grade level but are not guaranteed to occur on a specific time schedule.

Program Completion and Conversion: Interns may be converted to a permanent position within 120 days of successful completion of the program. To be eligible for conversion, Interns must:

• Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program.
• Complete their degree or certificate requirements.
• Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Intern will be converted.
• Meet agency-specific requirements as specified in the Participant's Agreement.
• Perform their job successfully.

For the GS-03 Level: To qualify for an Internship as a GS-03, students must have completed (or will complete by December 2022) one full academic year of post-high school study.

For the GS-04 Level: Education: To qualify at the GS-04 level, students must have completed (or will complete by December 2022) 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree (two years of full-time academic study is defined as 60 semester hours, 90 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university).

For qualification purposes, an academic year is computed as follows:

• At the undergraduate level, successfully completed education that has not led to possession of a degree is credited based on its relationship to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. For example, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. Four years of progressive study or 120 semester hours meets the degree requirements. Additional credit cannot be given for duplicate course work.
• For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school.
• An academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 academic year of full-time study. This determination is made based on normal course loads for a full year of study in the graduate program. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. 
• When academic credit is expressed in contract months, 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 appropriate institution in order to equate them to the semester or quarter hours specified in the standard.

NOTE: If your college, vocational, trade, technical or high schools' definition of "academic year" differs from above, you must submit proof of this difference (e.g., copy of course catalog that defines an academic year). Absent this documentation, you will be screened for academic qualifications based on the academic hours as defined in the bullets above.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities needed for this Position:

• Communications
• Research
• Scientific Analysis
• Teamwork

Area of Consideration: All eligible for the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for Post-Secondary Students. This Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) allows qualified candidates to be appointed under this authority to term positions greater than 1 year but not to exceed 4 years in the competitive service.

How to Apply: This is a DHA announcement for Post-Secondary Students for a TERM position greater than one year but not to exceed 4 years at the GS-03 grade level with conversion to a permanent position upon completion of the program. (May be non-competitively promoted to the GS-0899-04 while in the Intern Program).

Anyone wishing consideration for this opportunity apply at https://www.usajobs.gov/

Job Announcement Number: NCAT229177950817HS

USAJOBS URL: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/675850100

Other Information:

• Relocation assistance is NOT authorized.
• Moving/travel/transportation and housing/lodging expenses are not provided/reimbursed.
• Valid driver’s license is required for this position.
• Business travel is approximately 25% but may be more depending upon duty location.
• Anticipated start date for this position is January-February 2023.
• Education requirement must be completed by December 2022.
• Must be able and willing to work full-time while not in school.
• Option to work part-time or leave without pay while in school.

Points of Contact:

Mindy Kincaid, Mindy.S.Kincaid@usace.army.mil or (206) 422-0579

Administrative Officer, Construction Division.

Frank Howell, frank.h.howell@usace.army.mil, or (206) 316-3725

Human Resources Specialist, Seattle, District Corps of Engineers.