Student Trainee (Contracting)

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). To qualify for a Student Trainee (Contracting) as a GS-05, Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree. 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. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available on the OPM’s web site. Competencies: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competencies in the following areas: Attention to Detail, Clerical, Oral Communication, and Writing For this internship, you must be able to work part-time when school is in session and full-time when not attending classes. 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-05 level. These grade levels are what typical college students in their first or second year may qualify. Within 180 days after completion of Internship requirements, you may be eligible for conversion into a permanent position without further competition and provided the Hiring Division/Office has an appropriate vacant position available at that time. 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. The full performance level of this position is GS-09. 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.
This is a Student Internship position under the Pathways Internship Program. This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Human Resources Division. This position(s) primary purpose is to carry out operations in the area of contract operations, acquisition policy development, implementation, and compliance activities.