Duties

Summary

If you are ready to begin your new career or are looking for a place to make an impact, what better place than a top ranked agency in the federal government? We are looking for the best and brightest to join our team of dedicated professionals here at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), where we are ranked number one in the Best Places to Work in the federal government rankings!

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

We're an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas and oil. Ranked number one in the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings, our team of engineers, scientists, analysts and attorneys work collaboratively to ensure that the industry delivers reliable, efficient and sustainable energy, impacting the daily lives of all Americans.

Our internship program provides students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in a federal agency while learning more about the energy industry and gaining exposure to the Commission's work. Students have the opportunity to attend networking events, visits to regulated hydropower dams, seminars with career advice and tips and enjoy lunch with FERC's top officials. Apply now for an opportunity you don't want to miss!

This is a SUMMER 2021internship position. To learn more about our Summer Intern Program and the activities involved, click here: FERC Summer Internships

This position is located in the Office of Energy Policy and Innovation (OEPI) at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The incumbent will work within the Division of Economic and Technical Analysis, the Division of Policy Development, or the Division of Energy Market Assessments. OEPI coordinates the development of policies and rules that address emerging challenges in the electric and natural gas industries. The Division of Economic and Technical Analysis works to enhance existing market rules, processes, and operations in the electric and natural gas industries in order to promote competition and efficient market design, address emerging challenges, and send appropriate long-term investment signals. The Division of Policy Development initiates and coordinates the development of Commission policies to: enhance the efficient planning and operation of energy markets and the interstate power grid; improve the coordination between wholesale electric and natural gas systems; remove barriers to ensure access to the market and grid by all resources; and improve coordination between wholesale and retail electric markets. The Division of Energy Market Assessments (DEMA) examines, analyzes, and reports on the structure and operation of the electric and natural gas markets and provides information to the Commission and the public on significant market events and trends. DEMA observes market operations and performance to develop market intelligence to inform the development of policies that promote the competitiveness and, efficiency of the wholesale energy markets.

At time of application, applicant must submit proof of current enrollment in a degree-seeking program. If selected, applicant must provide proof of continuing education through either the Summer or Fall 2021 semesters. To meet the definition of a student, applicants must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program.

These positions are temporary, they may be converted to a full time, career-conditional position. Any conversions to full time or career-conditional status is neither implied nor guaranteed.

Major duties of the Student Trainee (Energy Industry Analyst):

• Conducts, or participates in the review and analysis of, regulatory issues, data and other documents associated with Commission filings and/or other regulatory documents to ensure consistency with pertinent regulatory principles and Commission policies. Provides recommendations for his/her assigned area of study for use by higher-level specialists.
• Prepares notices, orders, and memoranda to the Commission relating to regulatory data contained in Commission filings within his/her delegated authority. As necessary or directed, may prepare portions or parts of testimony or exhibits on complex cases.
• Contacts natural gas pipeline and/or oil companies and/or electric utilities, when necessary, to explain elementary regulatory policies.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
09

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Successfully complete a background investigation.
• Applicants must submit transcripts at time of application.
• Must be enrolled in summer and/or into Fall 2021 semester.
• Must be a US citizen
• Must be enrolled in Spring 2021(proof required)

List of Department of Education accredited institutions: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx

Qualifications

To be eligible for internship positions at time of appointment candidates must meet the qualification requirements:

Education Requirement: Candidates must meet the OPM Educational Requirement for Student Trainee (Economics):

GS-9: Candidates must have completed 2 academic years of graduate level education or a master's degree; or possess a combination of graduate level education beyond the first year of progressive study and appropriate experience (please see Specialized Experience statement) that together meet the qualification requirements of this position; OR have one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-7 level.

Specialized Experience is defined as: experience performing quantitative analysis on large sets of data relevant to trading or energy markets in Excel, SAS, STATA, SQL, R, Python or other programming languages.

Education

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/workrecog.doc . You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

Additional information

You must submit all required information by the closing date. If materials are not received, your resume will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. The materials you send with your resume will not be returned. If you are selected at a grade lower than the highest shown in this listing, you will be placed under a career development plan and can be non-competitively promoted when you successfully complete the requirements for the higher grade. Relocation expenses will not be paid.

**Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FERC is currently operating in a 100% remote environment, which includes this position. Typically, this position is located at HQ in Washington, DC. When FERC's operating status changes, this position will be expected to report to the office, as per FERC policy.**

It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual's employment experience will be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination. Please use the following link for additional information: Ctrl+Click or tap to follow the link" href="https://hru.gov/Studio_Recruitment/tools/Mythbuster_on_Federal_Hiring_Policies.pdf">Mythbusters of Federal Hiring

More than one selection for similar positions may be made from this announcement and the program office for that selection may vary. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s).

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program ( E-Verify ). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify .

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

CANDIDATES MUST PROVIDE TRANSCRIPTS IN ORDER FOR COURSEWORK TO BE VERIFIED; FAILURE TO INCLUDE TRANSCRIPTS WILL RESULT IN CANDIDATES NOT BEING CONSIDERED; TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT TIME OF APPLICATION.

*SELF-PREPARED TRANSCRIPTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

We will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications Section.

• Ability to interpret policy/regulations and apply them to analyses of specific issues arising in the regulation of the energy industry or on policies affecting the energy industry.
• Ability to review and analyze data and documents on matters related to the energy industry.
• Ability to manage large datasets and conduct analysis using statistical software.
• Ability to interpret policies and regulations.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information orally and in writing.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you will not be considered for this position (or will not receive the special consideration, e.g. Vet's Preference, for which you may be eligible). CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES -- Documentation Relating to Your Federal Employment Submit an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. If you are currently on a Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA), submit an SF-50 showing that. Indicate on your application the highest permanent grade you have held; if this grade is different from your current grade, you must submit an additional SF-50 showing this grade in order to receive credit. (FERC EMPLOYEES ARE ALSO REQUIRED to submit any SF-50 which documents the experience with another organization other than FERC). CTAP/ICTAP: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must submit proof of eligibility. For more information, click here . SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES DOCUMENTATION If you are applying under a special hiring authority, submit a copy of proof of your eligibility. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT (VEOA) DOCUMENTATION If you are applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, SF-15, official VA letter along with any other required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. An SF-15 may be found here.

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.