PATHWAYS STUDENT TRAINEE (Civil Engineering) Job

Vacancy No. FHWA.EFL-2024-0068 Department Federal Highway Administration
Salary $34,803.00 to $58,686.00 Grade 02 to 05
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Part-time
Open Date 9/27/2024 Close Date 1/24/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Tupelo, MSHato Rey, PRSevierville, TNAshburn, VA


Summary

This opportunity is open to current students seeking a degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Management, Geomatics Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or other directly related engineering programs.

The Pathways Internship program is located in the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in either Ashburn, VA; Sevierville, TN; Tupelo, MS; or Hato Rey, PR.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. This position is part of the Pathways Program and is open to current students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational institution and enrolled at least half-time. Additional information can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets

Duties

This opportunity is open to current students seeking a degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Management, Geomatics Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or other directly related engineering programs. Internships will start during the spring semester as a co-op, or for the summer on a full-time schedule.

The Pathways Student Intern (Civil Engineering) will participate in one of the following activities and assignments within the various Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD) branches of FHWA:

Construction:

  • Inspect and test assignments on construction projects.
  • Field sampling and testing of construction materials.
  • Participate in partnering meetings.
  • Serve as an instrument operator or rodman on construction projects.
  • Compute and balance quantities.

Materials:

  • Log in samples, prepare samples for testing, monitor testing procedures, and record data of materials such as concrete, soils, asphalt, and roadway aggregates.
  • Inspect materials and determine sizes to be crushed; lift and handle samples; observe and operate sieve shakers.
  • Retrieve and compile data.
  • Research past mix designs and compile comparison data.

Highway Design:

  • Prepare roadway plans and quantity calculations, title sheets, plan profile sheets, alignment layout, supplementary drawings, earthwork calculations, and pipe and box culvert structure detailing.
  • Compute curves and traverses.
  • Assemble plans, specifications, and estimate (PS&E) documents.

Bridge Design, Management, and Inspection:

  • Prepare project specifications and perform design and quality check on PS&E packages.
  • Perform field assessments, gather information, and carry out preliminary scoping of projects.
  • Compile structural analysis and design of concrete, steel, or timber bridge components.
  • Use MicroStation CADD to prepare bridge plan sheets.

Planning & Programs:

  • Collect and assemble data.
  • Review damage site assessments and reports for Emergency Relief projects.
  • Prepare environmental compliance documentation.
  • Prepare agreements for projects.

Environment:

  • Review and summarize technical reports and NEPA documents.
  • Prepare and complete environmental and historic documents.
  • Review environmental impacts of proposed projects.
  • Prepare environmental compliance documentation.

Road Inventory Program:

  • Coordinate and collect roadway engineering data.
  • Analyze entire road systems to be inventoried and devises collection procedures.

Pavements:

  • Review PS&E for pavement design projects.
  • Assist with Pavement design tasks including design analysis and developing pavement reports.
  • Assist with conducting visual pavement condition surveys.
  • Assist the drill crew to conduct pavement field investigations.
  • Assist with data loading and data analysis for the pavement management system.

Geotechnical:

  • Perform geotechnical design calculations and technical reports.
  • Perform project site geological and geotechnical mapping and logging; obtain borehole data and samples; sketch details of test pit investigations.
  • Input field data into Geotechnical software programs.

Hydraulics:

  • Perform hydrologic and hydraulic design calculations.
  • Develop drainage design and Storm Water Management Plans.
  • Prepare technical reports and cost estimates.
  • Prepare project specifications and review of PS&E packages.

Survey:

  • Assist survey crew.
  • Perform basic engineering computations using formulas, handheld calculators, and electronic survey equipment.
  • Serve as instrument operator and/or target cube holder on construction survey and/or engineering stakeout of project.

Project Delivery - Engineering Support:

  • Perform a variety of activities in design, construction, technical services, or project management.
  • Review technical civil engineering project design documents and submittals.
  • Update GIS maps and figures for research tasks.
  • Perform project contract administration duties.

Project Management:

  • Assist in planning, coordinating, and administering projects.
  • Perform basic reviews of project deliverables.
  • Help to ensure project requirements, approvals, and clearances are secured in a timely manner.

Transportation Operations (Safety and Traffic):

  • Assist in performing traffic and safety studies on traffic speeds; highway operations; queuing analysis; traffic calming; work zone, pedestrian, and road safety; and crash data analysis.

The ideal candidate for this position has a desire to learn about the various aspects of highway and transportation engineering and can work either during the summer or during the spring semester of college full-time through a co-op opportunity.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen and meet the requirements of the program.
  • You must be at least 16 years of age
  • Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date

PATHWAYS ELIGIBILITY - To be eligible for appointment to a position in the DOT Internship Program, throughout the duration of the appointment, an individual must:

  • Be accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree or certificate in a qualifying educational institution on a half to full-time basis (as determined by the educational institution).
  • Be seeking a degree that is relevant to this position.
  • Be able to work full-time during the spring co-op or during the summer. 
  • Grade qualifications must be met prior to start date.

If selected you: 

  • must sign a Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement;
  • may be employed throughout the academic year;  
  • must maintain status as a current student;
  • must maintain good academic standing, at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 grading scale.
  • must furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and
  • must provide verification of academic status (transcript) at the end of each academic term.

For more information on the Pathways Program, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP:  Must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be  registered for the Selective Service.
  • BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:  Must complete a background investigation.
  • DECLARATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT: Selectee is required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine suitability for federal employment.
  • TRIAL PERIOD: The intern is in a trial period throughout the entire Pathways Internship appointment.  
  • WORK SCHEDULE: Work Schedule: For construction assignments, the trainee must be available to work varied schedules, particularly throughout contractor multi-shift construction periods, including weekends, evenings and night work, as dictated by the contractor’s work schedule.

(continued under the 'Other Information' section)

Qualifications

MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be pursuing a degree in professional engineeringTo be acceptable, the curriculum must (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

You then must meet the education requirements for each grade which you are requesting consideration for: 

  • GS-02:  Completion of high school or GED diploma.
  • GS-03:  Completion of one academic year of post-high school study.
  • GS-04:  Completion of two academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree.
  • GS-05:  Completion of four academic years of post-high school study leading to a bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree.

Academic Year Clarification:

  • At the undergraduate level, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. When academic credit is expressed in 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 institution.

You may use 2024/2025 in-progress semester/quarter hours to qualify for a higher grade level. Qualifications will be determined based on completed and in-progress hours stated on your unofficial transcript submitted at the time of application. To be qualifying, you must successfully complete and receive credit for the courses and provide an updated official transcript before you enter on duty.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  1. Oral Communication - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
  2. Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
  3. Computer Skills - Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.

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.

For additional information about applying to Federal Pathways Internship Positions, please click on the following link:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PIP

Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the start of the internship.  

Education

Refer to the Qualifications and Requirements section for information pertaining to the Pathways Internship Program.

Additional information

*Additional Conditions of Employment: (cont)

  • TELEWORK: This position is approved for telework. The number of telework days approved is determined by the agency policy, the approval of your immediate supervisor, and if applicable, approval of additional officials. You are required to report to the office on a regular basis since this is not a full-time telework position or approved as a remote work position. Telework is not permissible if you are assigned to a construction project, which could be anywhere in the Eastern half of the United States. If you are assigned to another branch which requires you to work in the office, telework may be allowed and is at the discretion and approval of your supervisor.
  • APPT TYPE: This is an Excepted Service Appointment for an initial period expected Not to Exceed (NTE) 9/30/2025 but it may be extended to continue in the program. 

This is an open continuous announcement for four months with various cut-off dates. We will routinely review applications. Please submit your application by 10/11/2024 if you would like to be considered under the initial cut-off and possible co-op internship in the spring.

This is an Excepted Service Appointment for an initial period Not To Exceed (NTE) 09/30/2025 but may be extended.  As a part of the Pathways Internship Program, the appointment may be extended until the selectee's projected graduation date, plus 180 days.  Upon graduation, depending on the qualifications and the Agency’s need the student intern may be converted without a break in service to a term (time-limited) or permanent appointment, to a position that has a career ladder target up to the GS-12, provided they are a US citizen who has worked at least 640 hours in an appropriate program and has received a favorable recommendation from the supervisor for retention. There is no guarantee of a permanent position following this internship.  Selectee is on a trial period while on a Pathways Internship appointment. 

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Salary Ranges:

Ashburn, VA:

GS2: $34,803-$41,985

GS3: $35,947-$46,729

GS4: $40,351-$52,452

GS5: $45,146-$58,686

Sevierville, TN; Tupelo, MS; Hato Rey, PR:

GS2: $34,803-$41,985

GS3: $35,499-$43,590

GS4: $36,209-$45,982

GS5: $39,576-$51,446

Benefits

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.

Review our 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.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level. 

Once you complete and submit your application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the job.  Qualified students will be referred to the hiring manager in unranked order by veteran preference status:  (1) Preference eligible having a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more; (2) all other candidates eligible for 10-point veteran preference; (3) candidates eligible for 5-point veteran preference; and (4) candidates not eligible for veteran preference.
 
You will not be considered for the position if any part of the application or supporting documentation is incomplete.  Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or adverse action after hiring.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

The following is a list of documents that are only required based on the type of position and consideration for which you are applying.  Please review each of the following sections to determine which, if any, additional documents you need to provide with your application.

RESUME: Your resume MUST contain specific information used to make a qualification determination that includes employment beginning and ending dates for each position, whether employment is Full-time or Part-time or average number of hours worked per week,  and position titles.  If the position is/was in the Federal government, you will need to provide the position series and grade level.  The resume should show relevant experience and education as well as support the required specialized experience. Formatted resumes may be uploaded later in the application process. For assistance with the resume builder, please visit:  https://help.usajobs.gov/

Completed Questionnaire.

Acceptance Letter of Enrollment: A letter from the educational institution that confirms the following: The degree/diploma program in which you have been accepted and that you will be enrolled on at least a half-time basis.  Required from all applicants who have been accepted for enrollment and have not yet attended, therefore do not have a transcript to submit.

College Transcripts: Copies of your transcripts which include courses currently in progress. “Unofficial” transcripts are acceptable. (Prior to appointment, an official transcript will be required.) Required from all applicants who are currently enrolled. 

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - click here. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application.

Veterans: Your last DD214 (member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility.  It need not be official.

  • If you are applying to a vacancy opened to all US Citizens under category rating and wish to be considered as a preference eligible, you need to submit a copy of your DD214 (member-4 copy).
  • If you are claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability.  An SF-15 is desired, but not required.
  • If you are applying to a vacancy opened Status and you are requesting consideration under Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/#veoa), you need to provide a copy of your last DD214 (member-4 copy), which verifies your military service dates, reason for separation, OR certification of separation that shows a discharge date within 120 days of the closing of this announcement, and eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act.

Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system.  You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.

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

You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.

  • To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
  • Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
  • You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/

If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at Transjobs@dot.gov.

Agency contact information

Automated Staffing Office
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
TRANSJOBS@dot.gov
Address
DOT, FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the application process is completed in its entirety, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualifications. Qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews.

If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly.  Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.
 


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.