Student Trainee (Information Technology) Job in Alexandria, VA

Vacancy No. IMP-12756267-25-TL Department National Science Foundation
Salary $41,247.00 to $59,986.00 Grade 4 to 5
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/30/2025 Close Date 6/30/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Alexandria, VA


Summary

The U.S. National Science Foundation, Office of Inspector General is accepting applications from people who wish to be considered for employment under the pathways programs. This requires students to be enrolled in an accreddited high school, college, graduate, or post-graduate institution.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

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

Duties

The Pathways Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent position in the civil service. This position starts at a salary of $41,247.00 (GS-04 Step 1) to $59,986.00 (GS-05 Step 10). Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion, nor is the promise of promotion implied. Promotion potential will ultimately be determined by your qualifications and will be initiated at management's discretion.

Typical duties include:

  • Assisting in the applications software work involving the design, documentation, development, modification, testing, installation, implementation, and support of new or existing applications software.
  • Diagnosing and resolving basic general problems in response to customer incidents, such as providing basic planning and delivery of customer support services, including installation, configuration, troubleshooting, customer assistance, and/or training, in response to customer requirements.
  • Maintaining systems configurations alongside higher-graded professionals, including planning and coordinating the installation, testing, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of hardware and software systems.
  • Analyzing, documenting, and maintaining the enterprise structural framework to align IT strategy, plans, and systems with the mission, goals, structure, and processes of the organization.

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 with the Selective Service
  • You may be required to pass a background investigation
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Proof of student status must be submitted with the application

Qualifications

You must be a student who has been accepted for enrollment or who is currently enrolled and seeking a degree on a full or half-time basis in one of the federally administered, organized educational programs or accredited educational institutions below such as a public or private high school; state-approved home school; technical or vocational school; two (2) year or four (4) year college or university; graduate or professional school; a registered apprenticeship program, job corps or postsecondary home school curriculum. Review Pathways Interns for additional eligibility information AND: GS-04: Completed 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an 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.GS-05: Completed 4 full academic years of post-high school study leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Four years of full-time academic study is defined as 120 semester hours, 180 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university. You must meet all qualification requirements, including education, if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process within thirty (30) days of the announcement closing. 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.

Schedules: Positions can be filled on a full-time and part-time basis. Part-time schedules are typically 16 to 32 hours per administrative workweek, prearranged on a scheduled tour of duty.

Trial Period: The entire period served under the Internship Program counts as the participant's trial period.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement: Pathways students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate studies or lower program, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 for a master's program or higher program.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information.

Additional information

A Pathways Participant Agreement will be required if you are selected for a position. This agreement must be signed by all applicable parties prior to entrance on duty.

Students are required to meet enrollment requirements and remain in good academic standing for the full duration of their appointment in order to maintain eligibility for the Pathways Internship program.

Conversions: Interns may be non-competitively converted from the internship program to a term or permanent position in the competitive service within 180 days following successful completion of all their educational requirements in accordance with section 5 CFR 362.204 given there is an available position; however, conversion is not mandatory or guaranteed. If converted, this position will likely fill an Information Technologist Specialist, GS-/7/9/11/12, with a full performance level of a GS-13 position. Please note that the expected conversion position has a basic requirement that can be met with qualifying education or experience as outlined here.

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.

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. Learn more about your potential benefits here: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/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.

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are considered in the following order: (1) preference eligibles having a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more; followed by (2) other 10-point preference eligibles; (3) 5-point preference eligible; and (4) non-preference eligibles (i.e., non-veterans).If you are qualified and referred, you may be contacted for an interview. As a part of the interview process, additional selection criteria may be administered by the hiring manager.

Required Documents

  • Your resume: A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining what training, if any, would be required when placed. A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, address, phone number, complete work history including a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade, and salary (if applicable). For additional required items, see the link. *Note- It is recommended that you upload your resume as a PDF instead of a Word document to ensure document quality. Ensure that your uploaded resume is not a password protected document, to include Office 365 passwords.
  • Your responses to the job questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12750367
  • Your transcripts: Submit a copy of your transcripts (unofficial is acceptable at this time; however, official copies will be required prior to entrance on duty) or a list of coursework with hours completed provided from the institution. Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable unless it has been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of education credentials. Note: If submitting documentation of an evaluation, transcripts are still required. For a listing of some accrediting agencies see NACES | Credentials Evaluations Provided by NACES Members. See https://www.accreditation.info/education-quality/usa-recognition.html for more information.
  • A letter of acceptance OR current enrollment to an accredited college or university. OR
  • Verification of Registered Apprenticeship; industry-recognized credential qualifying career or technical education program.
  • Are you a veteran? To apply veterans' preference you must submit proof of eligibility as appropriate for your preference type:
    • Five Point Preference: DD-214 listing the character of service and either qualifying medal(s) or service period
    • Ten Point Preference: DD 214 showing character of service and supporting documentation as listed on the Standard Form 15 (application for 10 Point Veterans' Preference). Submitting an SF-15 with your application is encouraged. Veterans with a service-connected disability must also submit a VA Disability Award letter dated 1991 or later, OR supporting documentation as listed in the SF-15
    • If you are currently serving on active duty, you must submit a written statement from the armed forces certifying your dates of service, rank, expected character of service, and anticipated date of separation. If you apply with a written statement at this stage, your preference will be verified by a DD 214 upon separation from the military.
    • View more veterans' information.
  • Are you a current or former federal employee? If yes, it is recommended that you submit a copy of your SF-50(s) (Notification of Personnel Action) to support your experience. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.
  • Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your initial and termination SF-50s.

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

Applicants must complete and submit an application online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website at https://www.USAJOBS.gov. An account must be established at the OPM website following the instructions provided in order to apply for the position. Once you have completed the USAJOBS process, you will be re-directed to the USA Staffing system to complete your application process, answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. Applications submitted other than the USAJOBS online application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED under this announcement.

  • Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying online for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Please allow adequate time to complete your application.
  • If you encounter technical difficulties during the process, please submit a USA Staffing Help Ticket for assistance. If you have technical difficulties applying to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website, click on Contact USAJOBS. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS.
  • As the applicant, it is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, and submitted is received and is accurate. Ensure that your application includes the required documents listed under "Required Documents" and that they are uploaded in the appropriate fields.
  • If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of this application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact on this job opportunity announcement.

Agency contact information

Tania Leeman
Address
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
2415 Eisenhower Ave
Alexandria, VA 22314
US

Next steps

You may check the status of your application at any time on the USAJOBS website

Applicants should click 'Track this Application' in the Applicant Dashboard to receive application updates.


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


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