STUDENT TRAINEE (CONTRACT SPECIALIST) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. PW-12751867-25-OCPO Department DHS Headquarters
Salary $41,247.00 to $53,627.00 Grade 4 to 4
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Part-time
Open Date 6/30/2025 Close Date 7/7/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Chief Procurement Officer.

The primary purpose of this position is to participate in the Student Hire Internship Pathway (SHIP) for Acquisition Professionals. This program offers current students in relevant educational programs internships in DHS acquisition offices. Before applying, please learn more at www.DHS.gov/SHIP.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

U.S. citizens who are accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution. See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualifications" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

Duties

As a STUDENT TRAINEE (CONTRACT SPECIALIST), GS-1199-4, your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision:

  • Serve on a team specializing in acquisition to negotiate, award, administer, and closeout actions
  • Assist in requirements planning and the development and review of statements of work
  • Prepare acquisition documents and obtain legal, financial, and staff review
  • Assist higher-graded staff with the day-to-day administration of acquisition activities
  • Participate in special activities as assigned
  • Assure data in information systems for assigned work is complete, current, and accurate
  • Complete training and career development activities
Key features of the SHIP experience include:
  • Cohort based onboarding experience
  • Orientation to DHS mission and cultures
  • Orientation to federal acquisition careers and the professional environment
  • Structured on the job experience
  • Peer support and networking with your "shipmate" counterparts
  • Specialized training
  • External events and activities
  • Mission-connection experience
  • A management interview of a senior professional
  • A leadership shadowing experience
  • Capstone project that showcases your SHIP experiences
  • Special projects

All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5-business day open period due to the number of applications received. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 150 applications have been received, whichever happens first.

View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
  • You must be 16 years of age or older to apply.
  • You must submit a transcript or proof of enrollment with your application.
  • All interns are required to sign a Pathways Participant Agreement.
  • You must serve a trial period.
  • Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
  • The Pathways Program requires the incumbent to submit official or unofficial transcripts with your application and provide official transcripts prior to entrance-on-duty (EOD).
  • This position requires the incumbent to sign a Pathways Internship Participant Agreement, which outlines the work schedule, intern responsibilities, work assignments, and program requirements.
  • This position requires you to be 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.)
  • You must maintain at least a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or equivalent (no rounding) per semester in an undergraduate degree program or at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (or equivalent) per semester in a Master's or Professional Degree Program.
  • Student interns must be prepared to meet the Program Eligibility standards outlined under the DHS Acquisition Professional Career Program (APCP) at the time of application and/or graduation for conversion.
  • Selectee maybe required to complete an OGE 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Form.
  • This position has been designated as requiring a SECRET CLEARANCE or BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION to perform the assigned duties.

Qualifications

To be eligible for this internship, ALL of the following requirements must be met:
  • Age Requirement: You must be at least sixteen years of age;
  • Citizenship Requirement: You must be a citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted to the United States as a permanent resident or otherwise authorized to be employed under immigration laws, and also satisfy the Appropriations Act Ban on employment of non-citizens;
  • Student Status: To be eligible, applicants must be:
    • Accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) at a qualifying educational institution (such as a high school or state-approved home school; 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), on at least a half-time basis (as defined by the institution); or
    • Accepted for enrollment or enrolled in a qualifying career or technical education program that awards a recognized post secondary credential (such as a Registered Apprenticeship Program or Job Corps).; and,
    • If currently enrolled, you 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; and
    • You must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout the duration of your appointment under the Pathways Internship Program.
    • Under this program, an individual who needs to complete less than a half-time equivalent of an academic/vocational or technical course load immediately prior to graduating is still eligible.
  • Grade Point Average: You must have at least a 2.0 GPA, or a 3.0 GPA if enrolled in a Master's or Professional degree program.
  • Qualification Standards: You must meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) qualification standards prior to appointment and any physical and security requirements.
AND You must also meet all qualification requirements:
You qualify at the GS-4 grade level if you possess the following: Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or higher from a qualifying educational institution or a qualifying career or technical education program that awards a recognized post-secondary credential (such as a Registered Apprenticeship Program or Job Corps).

We highly desire students with majors/degrees closely related to Business, especially programs focused on Purchasing, Procurement, Acquisition, Contract Management, and Supply Chain Management.

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 school's 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 hours defined in the bullets above.

Students may be offered the opportunity to extend their internships into subsequent periods, but no internship will extend beyond three periods before graduation.

After successful completion of the program (SHIP) requirements, the individual may be converted to a term or permanent appointment at the agency's discretion. Only student interns who otherwise meet the criteria for a GS-1102-07 Contract Specialist are eligible for conversion to permanent positions in the APCP program.

Basic Requirement for Contract Specialist (1102):Contracting Series, 1102 (opm.gov).

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements for Administrative and Management Positions (General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov)).

For all Contracting Series, 1102 positions at GS-05 through GS-12: Selectee must meet position requirements for Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional certification within 36 months as of entrance on duty.

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

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; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

You must submit a copy of your transcript. An unofficial transcript or a list of courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned can be used as a substitute for the official transcript at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected for the position.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

Additional information

Student Interns will work a Part-Time (16- 32 hours per week) internship period until completion of coursework prior to graduation in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026. Upon completion of coursework, the schedule may shift at supervisory discretion.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Non-Critical Sensitive/Secret as a condition of placement in this Moderate Risk level OR Non-Sensitive/ Suitability risk level position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

This appointment may be extended until the selectee's educational program requirements have been completed.

After successful completion of the program requirements, the individual may be converted to a term or permanent appointment at the agency's discretion.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Rating Method: Unranked Order

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered in the following order:

  1. Preference eligibles having a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more;
  2. Other 10-point preference eligibles;
  3. 5-point preference eligible; and
  4. Non-preference eligibles (i.e., non-veterans).
Attention to Detail, Information Management, and Teamwork
If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12751867

Veterans: Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. (This position is not considered scientific/professional.) Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non- preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be removed from consideration or your score may be lowered.

Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

Required Documents

  1. Your resume (click the link for information on what to include).
  2. Your responses to the job questionnaire. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12751867
  3. Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
  4. You must provide proof of enrollment such as a screen shot of the semester class schedule, an official letter of enrollment, or listed on the transcripts. The document should show your name, academic institution, the degree or certificate program, and enrollment in at least half-time status (as defined by the academic institution).
  5. Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 showing you are a current DHS Pathways Intern.
  6. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information.
  7. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
    • Position title,
    • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee),
    • Agency,
    • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

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

To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. If you are unable to apply online or need to submit a document you do not have in electronic form, visit this link for more information regarding an alternate application process.

Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM eastern standard time on the day the announcement closes.

It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Applicants must submit all required documentation to properly qualify for this position.

Agency contact information

DHS HQ Student Programs Group
Address
Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170
6595 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, VA 20598-0170
US

Next steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer with 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.

Note: DHS continues to take necessary steps to keep our workforce safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed.

DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about e-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Any Offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance and U.S. Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.


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


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