Student Trainee (Program Examiner)

Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens. Students Enrolled or Accepted for Enrollment During the Current or Next Upcoming Semester in a Degree-seeking Program (diploma, certificate, etc.) in an Accredited/Qualifying Educational Institution, on a Full or Half-time Basis.

As a Student Trainee (Program Examiner), GS-0399-7/9, your typical work assignments may include the following under supervision:

• Performs basic budget, management, and policy duties as directed by higher graded staff members.
• Contributes to the preparation of the President's annual budget. Focus of budget and policy areas range depending on the branch, but could include housing, economic and community development.
• Reviews agency budget submissions for technical/conceptual accuracy and consistency.
• Monitors the development of the computer database supporting the budget, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Assists in financial, economic, and other analysis in support of federal program cost estimates.
• Assists in the review and analysis of agency submissions, studies, research materials, and other information.
• Conducts budget examining and analytical work as assigned.
• Coordinates branch and division-wide assignments, tracks deadlines, and ensures timely completion of branch and division-wide work products.
• Performs a wide variety of ad hoc assignments, both technical and administration in nature, often in response to requests for information from OMB staff and policy officials

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must be at least 18 years of age by the appointment date to participate in the Pathways Programs.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must register with the Selective Service.
• Relocation expenses will not be paid.
• This is a Drug Testing Designated Position (DTDP) and is covered by the Executive Office of the President Drug-Free Workplace Program.
• You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative test result prior to appointment to this position. After appointment, you may be subject to periodic random drug testing.
• You must be able to obtain and hold a Secret clearance
• You must obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• You may be required to complete a one or two year trial/probationary period.
• All employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/ Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
• You must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
• Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
• Must submit transcripts and proof of enrollment for every semester/term.
• Must maintain the required 3.0 GPA for the position throughout the internship.
• If selected, you must sign the Pathways Internship Participant agreement.

Qualifications

PATHWAY PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Allows students to be exposed to the work of the Government through Federal internships while pursuing their degree. This position is being filled under the Pathways Internship Program which is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with paid work opportunities in agencies to explore Federal careers while still in school. The Internship provides managers a ready source of student employees and potential permanent employees upon completion of the program requirements. It also provides the student with work experience directly related to the curriculum studies or career goals.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must provide documentation from the educational institution verifying current enrollment with at least a half time or full time course load. This documentation may be a Current Enrollment Verification Certificate or a statement of current enrollment or acceptance letter (which verifies all of the required information). If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.

Requirements:

• Enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment as a full-time or half-time (Half-Time basis is defined by the academic institution that the student is enrolled or accepted) student into an accredited college or university in a qualifying degree-seeking program, or enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment in a qualifying certificate program;
• Please Note: If you are graduating from your current academic program prior to Fall 2026 you will not be eligible for this student appointment unless you are accepted for enrollment at a qualifying educational institution seeking an ADDITIONAL qualifying degree, diploma, certificate, etc., OR an advanced degree. You MUST submit proof of acceptance along with your current transcripts for consideration, if selected.
• If selected, you must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement; be able to finish course registration information at the start of each school term; and be able to provide verification of academic status (official transcripts) a the end of each academic term.

The following are preferred degree categories:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Business Administration
• Public Policy or Administration (Public Finance Concentration)
• Economics

NOTE: The degree does not have to be related to the position/series to participate in the internship. However, to be eligible for a conversion, candidate must meet the OPM qualification standards for the position to which the Intern MAY be converted.

In addition to meeting the above requirement, applicants must meet one of the following minimum qualifications:

To qualify for the GS-07 level, candidates must also have at least:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-05 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector that demonstrates the following: 1. Conducting quantitative and/or qualitative analyses of program, operational or administrative information to identify trends, summarize findings and provide analytical support for a high-volume, fast paced office, 2. Performing clerical tasks such as arranging meetings and preparing correspondence to support a highly functioning office and 3. Preparing or tracking financial, economic, or other analysis to support program cost estimates

OR

B. One year of graduate level education. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will satisfy the 1 year of full-time study requirement. (Note: Transcripts are required at time of application).

OR

C. Possess a bachelor's degree and meet Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) provision. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2years of the curriculum. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/). (Note: Transcripts are required at time of application).

To qualify for the GS-09 level, candidates must also have at least:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-07 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector that demonstrates the following: 1. Analyzing budget and or policy data to spot trends in material being reviewed. 2. Managing projects from initiation to completion. 3. Presenting results of quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of information to provide support for an office.

OR

B. Two years of higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. (Note: Transcripts are required at time of application).

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your resume must include detailed information as it relates to the responsibilities and specialized experience for this position. Evidence of copying and pasting directly from the vacancy announcement without clearly documenting supplemental information to describe your experience will result in an ineligible rating. This will prevent you from receiving further consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

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

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming.

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Resume: For qualification determinations, your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Your resume must include detailed information as it relates to the responsibilities and specialized experience for this position. Evidence of copying and pasting directly from the vacancy announcement without clearly documenting supplemental information to describe your experience will result in an ineligible rating. This will prevent you from receiving further consideration. Note: If you upload more than one resume, the last resume received will be the one utilized for consideration. Please limit your resume to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire.

3. Other supporting documents to be submitted with application:

• DD214: Veterans' Preference Documentation, if applicable, a DD-214 Member 4 copy, which shows type of discharge. If still active, provide an official Statement of Service. Any other documentation such as VA letter documenting disability, SF-15, and any other required supporting documentation based your veterans' preference claim.
• Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, an official transcript may be requested at a later time. If you are a freshman, new student, or new transfer and don't have an unofficial transcript available, you may substitute the unofficial transcript with another official document serving as proof of enrollment. You must upload and submit at least one of the following documents (that documents your name, enrollment, and educational institution name):
  • A copy of your Admissions / Enrollment Letter.
  • A copy of your upcoming Course Schedule.
  • A letter from your Academic Advisor, Admissions Office, or other official source confirming your current enrollment in the educational institution, ideally on university letterhead.

Next steps