Pathways Student Trainee (Accounting) Job

Vacancy No. B-2025-0006 Department Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Salary $17.21 to $25.13 Grade 04 to 04
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Part-time
Open Date 11/27/2024 Close Date 12/10/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Denver, COWashington, DCKansas City, MOPhiladelphia, PA


Summary

We are looking for students to hire into the Pathways Intern Program within our Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) Division 

Location of position: GSA, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Kansas City, MO; Fort Worth, TX; Washington, DC; Philadelphia, PA and Denver, CO

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed. 

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applicants MUST: (1) Have completed at least 2 full academic year (associates degree by December 31, 2024) ** Degree in accounting; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. (2) Will work part-time year round to complete at least 480 hours work experience acquired through the Program while enrolled as a half- or full-time degree- or certificate-seeking student.

Duties

This position has job functions that must be executed within specific geographic locations. The official duty station is a federal facility, leased space, or an alternative worksite (typically the employee’s home) within the specified geographic area. You will be expected to report to a specific GSA duty location at least one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.

  • Kansas City, MO
  • Ft. Worth, TX
  • Washington DC
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Denver, CO

As a Pathways Intern (Accounting), you will:

  • Receive training in the principles, concepts, work processes, and regulations of one or more functional areas of Accounting.
  • On a scheduled basis, following the Pathways Participant Agreement, receives assignments in various Accounting functions to gain an understanding of the various program concepts and operations, develop an understanding of the total mission as well as organizational/functional interrelationships, and develop a foundation for more specialized application of knowledge gained from on-the-job training assignments
  • Receive formal and on-the-job training in OPM, General Services Administration and OCFO policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
  • Be instructed on the use of personal computers, and file and data management.
  • Prepare Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, utilizes financial system applications to perform data gathering, research and basic analysis for designated accounting program area

As a Pathways Intern (Accounting), you will participate in meaningful work experiences, training, networking, and developmental opportunities designed to build your skills in doing this work.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
  • Register with the Selective Service, if you are a male born after 12/31/1959.
  • Serve in a trial period for the entire duration of the internship appointment.
  • Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
  • Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee.  We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
  • Signed participant agreement is required for employment under this Program.
  • Complete a bachelor's degree or higher degree in accounting or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or is supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting; which may include 6 hours of business law.
  • Commit to working part-time year round while completing a bachelor's degree or higher in order to complete the required 480 work experience hours before graduating.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

  • the exact dates you held  each job (from month/year to month/year)
  • number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here. 

The GS-4 salary range varies based on location.  Pay scales for each location can be viewed here.  

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

To qualify, you must complete two full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree** by December 31, 2024

**Degree: accounting; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. (The term "accounting" means "accounting and/or auditing" in this standard. Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.")

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:- https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ 

Additional information

Bargaining Unit status:  This position is eligible for the bargaining unit

If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer.

If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage.

If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants
Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.  
Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.
If you participate in our Pathways Intern program, you will be required to:
  • Receive formal training directly linked to your employment field in addition to soft skill training
  • Complete a bachelor's degree or higher degree in accounting or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or is supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting; which may include 6 hours of business law. 
  • Commit to working part-time year round while completing a bachelor's degree or higher in order to complete the required 480 work experience hours before graduating.
  • Provide a copy of up-to-date transcripts (unofficial) at the end of each academic year, unless requested more frequently by the supervisor or Human Resources Office, for verification of enrollment and academic standing as proof of continuing eligibility for participation in the Intern Program.
Pathways Program Completion and Conversion eligibility qualifications: 
  • At management's discretion, 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 480 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, and
  • Perform their job successfully.
GSA is not obligated to make an offer of permanent employment to you after you have completed the Program.

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.

You will have access to many benefits including:

  • Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
  • Life insurance coverage with several options
  • Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
  • Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
  • Flexible work schedules and telework
  • Transit and child care subsidies
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Training and development

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.

We will use a method called Category Rating to assess your application.  Here’s how it will work:

You will be scored on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities:

  1. Knowledge obtained through education consisting of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate’s degree.
  2. Knowledge of basic accounting practices and procedures to perform a range of standardized duties.. 
  3. Ability to complete tasks independently while learning more complex tasks from higher graded employees.
  4. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  5. Ability to use applicable agency automated systems to gather, format and analyze varied information to create standard reports using word, excel, powerpoint, etc.

Your answers to the questions will be used to place you in one of the following categories and standard score ranges: 

  • Best Qualified = Candidates scoring between 95 - 100
  • Well Qualified = Candidates scoring between 85 - 94 
  • Qualified = Candidates scoring between 70 - 84

We will verify your answers to the questions in your resume.  If your resume doesn’t support your answers, we may lower your score, which could place you in a lower category.

Within each category, veterans will receive selection priority over non-veterans.

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.

GSA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility that goes beyond our compliance with EEO regulations including:

  • Valuing and embracing diversity, promoting equity, inclusion and accessibility, and expecting cultural competence; and
  • Fostering a work environment where all employees, customers and stakeholders feel respected and valued.

Our commitment is:

  • Reflected in our policies, procedures and work environment.
  • Recognized by our employees, customers and stakeholders; and
  • Drives our efforts to recruit, attract, retain and engage the diverse workforce needed to achieve our mission

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.  

Your resume showing applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit SF-50.

If you are claiming veterans preference:
(a) Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows your type of discharge and the dates of your active duty service.

(b) If you are claiming 10-point preference, submit both of the following in addition to the DD-214: (1) completed SF-15 form; and (2) proof of your entitlement (refer to SF-15 for complete list). 

If you are active duty military- Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).

Pathways Eligibility Documentation: You must provide documentation that you are eligible for the intern program which shows you are accepted for enrollment by a qualifying educational institution which may include qualifying career or technical education programs and registered apprenticeship programs (e.g., Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps). You may provide transcripts or the acceptance/enrollment letter. Your documentation must show a and b:

(a) Proof of continued enrollment - Such documentation may be a photocopy of a school transcript, official documentation of registration, tuition bill, or, if a new student, a copy of the acceptance or enrollment letter from the qualifying educational institution.

(b) Name of the qualifying educational institution

If you completed your education outside of the U.S., see Foreign Education information for guidance on what we can accept.   

If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. 

Superior Academic Achievement:  Submit transcripts as described above.  If you qualify based on your class rank or honor society membership, submit documentation of it.

*YOUR TRANSCRIPTS MUST SHOW PROOF OF CURRENT OR FUTURE ENROLLMENT (Fall 2024) FAILURE TO PROVIDE SCHOOL INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION NOT BEING CONSIDERED*

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

Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application.  For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job.

If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application. 

To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.

  • Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application.
  • Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process.
  • Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete.  If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
  • Note:  Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process). 

Need Assistance? 

  • Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact mgshelp@monster.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays
  • Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline

You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions. 

Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.

Agency contact information

Ricky Miller
Phone
912-436-3010
Fax
111-11-1111
Email
ricky.miller@gsa.gov
Address
GSA, Office of the Chief Financial Officer
General Services Administration (GSA)
Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)
1800 F Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After the closing date/deadline:

  1. ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements.
  2. REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview.
  3. SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process.
  4. FINAL JOB OFFER:Once our security office determines you can come on board, you will be given a final offer, which is typically 40 days after the announcement closes
  5. FINAL COMMUNICATION: Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your status by logging into USAJOBS. Go to My USAJOBS and then to Applications.
Thank you for your interest in working for U.S. General Services Administration!

Additional Locations


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


© 2006-2024, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements