Summary

Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and valuable career-ready skills. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited institution with permission to participate. With this project, you'll support an Information Technology -based project.

This job is open to

Students

Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.

Clarification from the agency

Students enrolled or accepted for enrollment during the current or next upcoming semester in a degree-seeking program (diploma, certificate, etc.) in an Accredited/Qualifying Educational Institution, on full or half-time basis.

Duties

Project Overview:
The student Intern- IT Modernization Specialist will support an IT modernization project focused on transforming a legacy Excel-based program used for annuity calculations under the Railroad Retirement Act. The project aims to improve efficiency, capability, and long-term sustainability of mission-critical calculation tools.

As a IT Modernization Specialist, you will:

Analyze an existing Excel-based calculation model, including formulas, logic, and data flow.
Collaborate with agency subject matter experts to document business requirements.
Evaluate potential modernization platforms (e.g. web-based applications, database solutions, or other programming environments).
Assists in designing and developing an updated solution to replace existing excel-based calculation model.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S National studying in the U.S. or abroad. International students on valid visas may participate if they meet applicable immigration, visa, and agency authorities.
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
All selectees must sign a Semester of Service Agreement.
Be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.
Be in good academic standing as defined by your institution.
Commit to volunteering 8 – 20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.
Complete all required onboarding documentation assigned by the Federal agency and your academic institution.
Agree to volunteer. This position is unpaid. No compensation, stipends, or hiring preference will be granted from this work. You may use this volunteer experience to qualify for future jobs you choose to apply for.
Agree to understanding volunteers are not Federal employees.

Qualifications

Interns must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.
Applicants MUST submit a transcript (see Required Documents for additional details).
Meet the definition of a student throughout the duration of their appointment.
Be in good academic standing as defined by your institution.
Commit to volunteering 8 - 20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.
Complete all required onboarding documentation assigned by the Federal agency and your academic institution.
Agree to volunteer. This position is unpaid. No compensation, stipends, or hiring preference will be granted from this work. You may use this volunteer experience to qualify for future jobs you choose to apply for.
Agree to understanding volunteers are not Federal employees.

Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs. Specifically, applicants should:

Should have technical knowledge in basic software development concepts and excel logic and structures.
Technical knowledge in modernization platforms (such as web application frameworks, database systems, low-code/no code).
Technical skills in analyzing and reverse- engineer excel models.
Technical skills in conducting platform research.

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

This job announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION:
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here.

Additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

This is an unpaid volunteer experience. Student volunteers are not considered Federal employees for any purpose other than injury compensation and laws related to the Federal Tort Claims Act, and service is not creditable for leave accrual or other employee 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.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

You may view the questionnaire here:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12951202

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Your resume (two or fewer pages) showing:
- Your work experience to include start and end dates.
- Education information, such as the name of your school and dates of attendance.
- Any knowledge, skills or abilities you've gained through education that relate to the project.
Transcripts: All applicants MUST furnish a copy of his/her college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable). Transcripts must include the name of the college or university, specific courses, and the number of semester/quarter hours currently enrolled. Applicants not currently enrolled must provide a student schedule for the upcoming semester/quarter verifying at least half-time enrollment status. If selected, applicants will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.
Veterans' Documentation: If you are a veteran, you must provide a copy of your Record of Military Service (DD-214), and proof of your veterans' preference, if applicable. Veterans with a service connected disability must also submit a completed claim form SF-15 (click here for form) along with the required proofs. Go to FedsHireVets-Veterans Preference for more information.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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.

How to Apply

In accordance with the Merit Herit Plan, only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.

Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.

We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open Sans, Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume.
For additional guidance on what to include in your resume, please see USAJOBS Help.

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.

To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://usajobs.gov). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

RRB Human Resources

Phone: (312) 751-4580
Email: recruit@rrb.gov

Address: Railroad Retirement Board
844 N Rush St
Chicago, IL 60611
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position.

After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application

IT Modernization Specialist Job in Chicago, IL