Student Trainee (Park Ranger) Continuing Pathways Intern

Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualifications" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

• Pathways Internship positions provide for development and training. Assignments become more responsible as incumbent increases knowledge and skills through work experience and academic training. As an intern, you will...
• Provide visitor assistance by answering visitor's questions relating to the recreational facilities; give directions to the Project's camp grounds, picnic areas and boating areas; provide instructions and information to the public.
• Explain the Project's rules and regulations to visitors; collect recreational use fees; provide courtesy safety inspections; and control vehicular traffic during events and emergency incidents.
• Conduct tours (e.g., nature walks); maintain, arrange or update displays and exhibits; ensure literature supplies are available for the public.
• Answer questions (e.g., fishing, bike trails, equestrian trails, hiking), collect recreational fees, provide education pertaining to recreational activities, natural resources, lake information, and volunteering.
• Collect data for various reporting purposes, such as on visitor attendance, fishing, trails, volunteers, and erosion problems.
• Perform administrative duties and report findings; and utilize a personal computer to enter and retrieve data.
• Support higher graded staff by conducting animal surveys, safety inspections, natural resource improvement projects, and by improving and/or maintaining public lands.
• Conduct safety and security patrols on Project land and on water, both by vehicle and vessel. Ensure the safety of the public recreating on the water by conducting water safety inspections and providing water safety education.
• Assist with public outreach through campfire programs, local events and school presentations.
• Coordinate with fellow and local first responders (e.g., CAL Fire, Sheriff, Game Wardens) during incidents and events.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• The duties of this position meet the criteria for compliance with Federal and Department of the Army Drug Free Workplace Programs. This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter.
• Incumbent must possess or be able to acquire first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and blood-borne pathogen training.
• Incumbent is required to work in adverse weather conditions (e.g., heat, cold, rain, wind, etc.).
• Possession of or the ability to acquire a state driver's license.
• Required to wear prescribed uniform.
• In accordance with the Pathways Intern Program Requirements, the selectee must sign an Army Internship Program Participant Agreement that states the internship period, work schedule, position information, and program requirements.
• This position requires you to work full-time in the summer and as much as is practical the rest of the year while attending/enrolled in school at least half-time.
• The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a Corps of Engineers boat operator's license within 12 months.
• Ability to work nights and/or weekends depending on the needs of the project to which the employee is assigned.
• Incumbent must receive a minimum of 24 hours of personal protection /unarmed self defense, situational evaluation and tactical communication training within two years of employment.
• THIS IS NOT ONLY A SUMMER JOB. This is a year round internship; potentially leading to a permanent full-time appointment in the competitive service.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Students who are eligible for participation in the Department of the Army Internship Program
Positions are open to current students pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate in an accredited high school, college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution on at least a half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled). Short-term training programs (e.g., several two-week programs completed) are not considered an academic course of study.

Internship for current students in good standing at an accredited education.

For this internship, you must be able to work full-time when not attending classes (i.e. summers, fall and spring breaks, etc), and part-time otherwise.

This intern position is designed to prepare a student trainee for employment after graduation as a Park Ranger, GS-0025-09. Interns will be assigned tasks designed to increase familiarity with the target occupation in a real world work environment.

This opportunity follows a standard promotional path:

1. Internship selection will be made at the GS-03, GS-04, and/or GS-05.
2. Within 180 days of completion of Internship (education) requirements, you may be eligible for conversion to the entry-level for the target occupation. Entry level for these positions are typically at the GS-05 level. The actual grade level at the time of conversion depends on academic achievement and other factors.
3. The full performance level of this position (after graduation) is GS-09.
4. Progression from the entry-level to the full performance level for this occupation will depend on successful completion of all requirements for promotion. Promotions may be considered after a year at each grade level, but are not guaranteed to occur on a specific time schedule.

See requirements for conversion to permanent or term position in the "Additional Information" section below.

To qualify for a Pathways Internship as a GS-03, students must have completed one full academic year of post-high school study.

To qualify for a Pathways Internship as a GS-04, students must have completed two full academic years of post-high school study or have an associate's degree.

To qualify for a Pathways Internship as a GS-05, students must have completed 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree. NOTE: Students that are graduating and are not subsequently enrolled in another program might not meet the work-hour requirements prior to graduation and will be at risk for not being able to convert to a career or career-conditional appointment!

For qualification purposes, 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 college, vocational, trade, technical or high schools' 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 academic hours as defined in the bullets above.

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 based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Flexibility
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Problem Solving
• Self-Management
• Technology Application

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of two quality categories: Ideal Candidate and Eligible Candidate. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

• Ideal: This category will be used for those candidates who meet the general competencies, such as decision making, interpersonal skills, reading comprehension, etc, in addition to the minimum qualifications.
• Eligible: This category will be used for those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications of the position.

The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.
1. Your resume:

• Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
• For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.
• Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.
• If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
• For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.

2. Transcripts and Enrollment Verification:

• Enrollment verification (if transcripts do not reflect current enrollment), and unofficial transcripts for education claimed in your resume and occupational questionnaire is required. If you provide an unofficial transcript at the time of application and you are selected, you will be asked for official versions prior to appointment. See: Transcripts and Licenses

3. Other supporting documents:

• Cover Letter, optional
• 3 personal or professional references contact information, optional
• Applicants claiming Veterans Preference or Military Spouse preference (MSP): to verify your preference claim you MUST submit supporting documents with your application package.
• If you are currently serving on active duty: You MUST submit a certification from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date you apply to this opportunity. If you supply a certification at this stage, your preference/eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. More information about Veteran's Preference is located on the Feds Hire Vets website. Please upload veteran's documents under the appropriate category.

NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

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