U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Student Trainee

Direct Hire Authority (DHA) Announcement

Permanent Position

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District,

Engineering and Construction Division

Design Branch

Structural Design Section

 

Position Title: Student Trainee GS-0899-04

Appointment Type: Term Appointment not to Exceed 13 months, may be extend and/or converted to career or career conditional

Promotion potential: GS-0810-11

Starting Salary:  $30,344 - $39,442

Open Announcement Dates:  Apr 22, 2019 to May 2, 2019

Duty Station:  Walla Walla, Washington

Relocation Expenses Authorized: No

Who May Apply: Students who are eligible for participation in the Department of the Army Internship Program

  • Position is 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 or part-time schedules. (Flexible hours and days depending on the student's academic schedule)

This intern position is designed to prepare a student trainee for employment after graduation as a GS-11 Civil (Structural) Engineer. 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:

  • Internship selection will be made at the GS-0899-04. These grade levels are what typical college students would have completed in their second year to qualify.
  • Within 120 days after completion of Internship 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-07 level. The actual grade level at the time of conversion depends on academic achievement and other factors.
  • The full performance level of this position is GS-11.
  • 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.

How to Apply:  Anyone wishing consideration for this opportunity must submit a resume and transcripts with an optional cover letter (unofficial transcripts will be accepted for the purposes of selecting a candidate but official transcripts will be required prior to appointment).

The application package will be submitted via email to Danielle.A.Fichera@usace.army.mil

For questions regarding this recruitment may inquire via email to Danielle.A.Fichera@usace.army.mil

Summary:

This Pathways Internship position provides for development and training to reach the full-performance level. Assignments become more responsible as incumbent increases knowledge and skills through work experience and academic training. Duties of increasing responsibility include the following:

  • Assist in the collection, preparation and assembly of basic project data. Collect, assemble and correlate technical data for use in investigation and design activities.
  • Perform a variety of tabulations and computations relating to the mission of the incumbent's assigned area. Process data according to well defined methods and designated formulas.
  • Assist engineers in the preparation of layouts and detail drawings of standard-type systems or specific elements or phases of larger systems.
  • Draft replies to miscellaneous correspondence, preparing fact sheets and assisting in revising a variety of reports to reflect the comments of others.

In the target position as a Civil Engineer (Structural), work assignments at the GS-07 and greater level will be of limited scope and difficulty designed to provide advanced practical application and experience of theories and principles in the structural engineering field of specialization which includes:

  • Performing preliminary and final structural design, including indeterminate analyses, advanced computer modeling and finite element analysis
  • Developing standard designs for various structure material types, including steel, concrete, and FRP
  • Assisting higher level professional personnel by carrying out complete projects of limited scope or narrow aspects of broader projects
  • Inspecting a variety of structures and documenting findings
  • Preparing design documents, and developing schedule and budget estimates

This position is being filled at the GS-04 level with promotion potential to a position with a full performance level at GS-11.

Travel is required-approximately 10% of time per year.

Qualifications:

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, and be a current student majoring in Civil Engineering.

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.

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 screened for academic qualifications based on the academic hours as defined in the bullets above.

Conditions of Employment:

  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Security Background Check
  • A two year probationary period maybe required
  • Pathways Interns must sign a Participant Agreement with the Agency
  • Current transcript (official or unofficial) must be submitted as part of application package
  • Valid Driver’s License

Benefits (of full-time, permanent employees):

  • Benefits are a large part of an employee’s compensation
  • Leave: 13 days personal leave, 13 days sick leave, 10 days paid holidays; personal leave increases to 20 days after 3 years of service on a full time schedule
  • Federal Employees Retirement System
  • Basic Benefit Plan (pension) – A hard to find benefit that pays up to 40% of your average highest 3 years’ salary based on meeting retirement criteria
  • Thrift Savings Plan (401k style savings plan) – Retirement savings plan that includes up to a 5% salary match
  • Federal Employees Group Life Insurance – subsidized by your employer
  • Federal Employees Health Benefits (healthcare) – subsidized by your employer
  • Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance – supplemental dental/vision insurance in addition to your healthcare plan

Flexible Spending Account – Pre-tax accounts for out of pocket health and dependent care expenses