Duties

Are you someone who loves data, analysis, visualizations, and problem solving for high impact projects? If so, then you are the perfect candidate to apply for the student cooperative opening at the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General's Research and Insights Solution Center (RISC). RISC offers the opportunity to further develop your research, analytical, visualization, communication, and critical thinking skills, through hands-on experience providing support to our investigations, audits, and operations groups.

If you are a student who is self-motivated, detail-oriented, a fast learner, and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, then this job is right for you. RISC supports the Office of Investigations and the Office of Audit by performing a wide range of Geographical Information System (GIS) analysis from a variety of data systems, covering mail operations, narcotics, mail theft, healthcare, financial, and contracting program areas.

As a co-op, you may also be exposed to data analysis, visualization tools and platforms including ArcGIS systems (ArcGIS Desktop, Pro, ArcGIS Online), Excel, Python, Power BI, Qlik, Azure, and others. You may be expected to perform the following tasks:

• Support analytics projects with basic data collection, manipulation, and geospatial analysis from a variety of sources.
• Visualize analysis results using maps, StoryMaps, and other techniques.
• Collect project status information and provide summary data in various formats.
• Document analytics products and solutions using sound technical writing skills and project management software.
• Effectively communicate with peers and management, orally and in writing, the status of tools, projects, support requests, and other tasks, as assigned.
• Perform administrative tasks in support of analytics projects as required.

This opportunity is ideal for those looking to gain experience at a federal level, while continuing their studies and gaining practical knowledge and skills. You will be assigned a mentor who will help guide you throughout your work.

Students who enjoy a healthy work-school balance and seek continuous employment with the possibility of working 10-30 hours while in school, and up to 40 when school is not in session, are especially encouraged to apply.

This position is being advertised at the Administrative Band level. The base salary range for this position is $14.62-$17.61/hour. Locality Pay is authorized.

Sophomore $19.08 per hour includes locality pay
Junior/Senior $20.08 per hour includes locality pay
Graduate or Law Student $22.98 per hour includes locality pay

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be able to pass a drug screening and medical assessment questionnaire.
• Must be able to pass a Moderate Background Investigation
• Must be able to work a minimum of 10 hours per week

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

You must meet ALL of the minimum requirements.

• Students must be currently enrolled full or half-time in an accredited college or university program, classified or academically ranked by semester hours as a Sophomore, Junior, Senior or Graduate student, not graduating prior to May 2023. (MUST SUBMIT TRANSCRIPT STATING CURRENT ENROLLMENT STATUS, GPA AND IN GOOD STANDING)

AND

• Must be in academic good standing as defined by the college or university, earning at least a 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 GPA scale.

AND

• Must be able to report to work year-round in the USPS OIG Arlington, VA, office a minimum of 10 hours per week (Monday-Friday) during core business hours.

AND

Must possess the following:

• Knowledge of GIS software such as ArcGIS Desktop, QGIS, etc.
• Knowledge of creating visualizations or analytical models using ArcGIS Online or Portal for ArcGIS, whether in a work, school, or other environment.
• Demonstrated analytical ability and problem-solving skills.
• Creativity, initiative, and integrity.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience using Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Interest in the application of data science and data analytics.
• Knowledge of analysis techniques including trends, predictions, and performance analysis sufficient to work independently using conventional procedures and practices.
• Demonstrated experience in researching, tracking, and analyzing data geospatially using database applications, whether in a work, school, or other environment.
• Knowledge of data extraction languages and analysis applications such as SQL, Python, R, JavaScript, etc.

EVALUATION FACTORS

Include your major accomplishments relevant to the evaluation factors in your resume.

• Knowledge of ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap and/or Pro) and presenting results through ArcGIS Online and/or Portal for ArcGIS.
• Knowledge of data extraction languages such as SQL, Python, R, etc.
• Exposure to and/or interest in basic data science or data analytics.
• Basic knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analytical methods to assess and validate data, determine risk probabilities, and develop conclusions.

Education

Education must be accredited by an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation here: www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred. Special Instructions for Candidates with Foreign Education: Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in U.S. education programs. You must submit all necessary documents to a private U.S. credential evaluation service to interpret equivalency of your education against courses given in U.S. accredited colleges and universities. For further information visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

The United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by January 1, 2022. If your appointment or onboarding is after January 1, 2022, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before you enter on duty. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required exception from this requirement.

Student Cooperatives are not eligible for USPS OIG Employee Benefits.

This agency provides Reasonable Accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodations for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please send an email to jobs@uspsoig.gov . The decision on granting an accommodation request will be made on a case by case basis.