Duties

Summary

General Information

In order to be eligible to receive consideration for this position, you must be able to: (1) report to the duty station location listed in this vacancy announcement, if selected; and (2) be available to work the schedule identified.

Salary: GS-5: $18.19 per hour (Step 01) to $23.64 per hour (Step 10); GS-7: $22.53 per hour (Step 01) to $29.29 per hour (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The USGS Office of Acquisition and Grants is seeking undergraduate and graduate level student working towards a degree in accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, organizational management or other majors to gain practical experience in contracting and procurement.

As a Student Trainee (Contracting) you will serve in a trainee capacity, performing routine and recurring development assignments to acquire knowledge and understanding of functions, principles, practices, and methods used in the area of contracting.

Duties include:

• Performing procurement tasks that are oriented in the practical application of contracting methods, contract types, and the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
• Participating in the procurement of standard supplies or services primarily through formal advertising and negotiation procedures.
• Developing source lists of responsible contractors, releasing solicitations, arranging and participating in pre-bid and pre-negotiation meetings, and assisting in drafting the final contract.
• Assisting in monitoring contract performance for compliance with performance standards, applicable laws, delivery schedules, payment provisions, etc.

There are two vacancies, however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
07

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• The entire period served under the Intern Program counts as a trial period.
• Housing will not be provided.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position

This vacancy is limited to the first 50 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.

• If converted to a permanent or term appointment, the anticipated target position will be Contract Specialist, GS-11; however, the target position and FPL may change based on the need of the organization at that time. Interns must meet the qualification requirements for the position to which converted.
• If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts &/or letter from the school stating you are enrolled in a degree/certificateprogram on at least a half time basis in good standing and your expected graduation date.
• A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

• Selectee will be required to file OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Statement, upon reporting & annually

Qualifications

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for an appointment under the Pathways Internship Program:

• You must be a student accepted for enrollment or enrolled in a degree or certificate program on a full- or half-time basis as defined by the school (certificate program means post-secondary education, in a qualifying educational institution, equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum); AND
• Enrollment is with a qualifying educational institution such as a high school or state-approved homeschool; or accredited technical or vocational school; a 2- or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum; AND
• Students currently enrolled must be in good academic standing maintaining a 2.0 grade point average on a cumulative basis; AND
• The duties of this position should be related to your academic or career goals.
• You must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout the duration of your appointment under the Pathways Internship Program.

Students who successfully complete the internship program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment or a term (1-4 years in duration) appointment without further competition. Eligibility requirements for conversion: must be a U.S. Citizen; complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program (*may waive up to a total of 320 hours under specific conditions); successfully complete your degree or certificate requirements from a qualifying institution; meet the qualification requirements for the position to which you will be converted; meet agency-specific requirements as outlined in the Participant's Agreement; and must have performed successfully in your position as documented through performance evaluations. *NOTE: To learn more about the conditions under which a portion of the work experience hours may be waived, visit https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/students-and-recent-graduates .

Qualification Requirements

This internship is geared toward students majoring in one of the following areas of study: business management or any degree.

For more information on basic qualifications, please click on the following: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/contract-specialist-contract-negotiator-contract.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: All applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Contracting Specialist at all grade levels (both GS-5 and GS-7):

A. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; OR


B. At least 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management.

For GS-7: In addition to the basic education requirement stated above, applicants must meet at least one of the following to qualify for the GS-07 level:

A. One year of appropriate specialized experience that is equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience includes One year of appropriate specialized experience that provided the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience must be equivalent to at least the GS-05 level of difficulty and responsibility in the Federal service. Examples of such experience may include drawing conclusions and making recommendations by analyzing facts and conditions and making comparison of prices, discounts, delivery dates or handling charges; computing discounts and warranties to compare prices on recurring types of procurements; applying guideline materials by reading and interpreting procurement regulations and technical material, and translating the guidance into specific actions such as assisting in the preparation of solicitation documents; drafting simple contract provisions and supporting documentation. This level of experience would have involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures and may have been gained in any one or a combination of pre-award, post- award, and/or contract price/cost analysis functions; OR

B. Completion of bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. See: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/superior-academic-achievement-saa OR

C. Successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education or law school (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours or the equivalent) in one or a combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management; OR

D. A combination of graduate level coursework of less than 18 semester or 27 quarter hours and specialized experience; for more information, see https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/combining-graduate-education-and.

All applicants must meet qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

• Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
• Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .

Additional information

• The U.S. Geological Survey has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.
• For additional information on our internal telework policy, reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/telework_handbook_october_2012_rev_march_2013.pdf .
• Throughout the recruitment & hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
• 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.
• Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
• Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens & nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.
• USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) & may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the US; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations.
• The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
• DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify .
• THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

--Basis of Rating:
All applicants who meet the basic eligibility and qualification requirements will be referred to the selecting official in veterans' preference order.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

All applicants must submit the following documentation by the closing date of this job announcement to be considered:

-TRANSCRIPTS for all schools/universities that you have attended (AA, BS, MS, PhD, etc.). You may submit official or unofficial transcripts. Please ensure that all documentation is legible.

-PROOF OF ENROLLMENT FOR THE CURRENT OR UPCOMING SEMESTER. This may be documented on your official/unofficial transcripts, a course schedule, an acceptance letter from your university for future enrollment, or an official letter of enrollment from the university registrar's office or a university counselor, as long as your enrollment for the current or upcoming semester is clearly documented. If you do not provide proof of enrollment for the current or upcoming semester, you will be disqualified from further consideration.

-IF YOU ARE IN YOUR LAST SEMESTER/QUARTER of completing your degree/certificate requirements, you must show proof of acceptance to a continuing degree/certificate program. This may be documented by an acceptance letter for future enrollment in a degree/certificate program. If you do not provide proof of continuing education, you will be disqualified from further consideration.

All documentation may be faxed, mailed, document uploaded, or hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see "Contact Information"). If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts.

Veterans Preference: If you are claiming veterans' preference you must provide a legible copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, member 4 copy or any official documentation from the Armed Forces that confirms your dates of service and that your separation, discharge, or release from active duty was under honorable conditions (i.e., Honorable or General Discharge). Note: If you have more than one DD-214 for multiple periods of active duty, submit a copy for each period of service.

If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that verifies entitlement to veterans' preference and that your character of military service is honorable.

If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the documents specified above, you must also submit documentation that supports your claim, e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (dated 1991 or later) or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability, or the award of the Purple Heart, etc. The overall rating must be identified on your certification letter or separation orders.

Documentation must be received by the closing date shown in this vacancy announcement. If you fail to submit any of the required documentation, you will not be granted veterans' preference. Additional information on veterans' preference can be found in the VetGuide .

Required documents may be: 1) faxed to the Agency Contact (see "Contact Information"); 2) uploaded directly from your desktop; 3) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments; 4) hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see 'Contact Information').

-- Auto-Requested Fax : allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume.

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.