Duties

As a Student Trainee (Office Automation), the incumbent will:

Performs office automation duties using such software applications as electronic mail, desk- top publishing, calendar, spreadsheet, database, and/or graphics, to track Congressional correspondence. Performs electronic file maintenance work including: updating and maintaining computer files and inventory; making backup copies; establishing and maintaining a uniform identification and archive library system; updating and maintaining all manuals, references books, and operating handbooks, and guidelines; maintaining appointments, calendars, schedules; schedules appointments, coordinates meetings, and/or schedules conferences. Based on the subject matter of the meeting, arranges for meeting and small conference administrative details.

Assists the office with a variety of practical assignments and tasks that support our missions ' programs. The primary responsibility is to support the missions and desks by assisting with communicating and coordinating the flow of information to and from Washington; and to perform a variety of substantive program-supporting assignments and projects. Duties of the intern will be designed to assist in this process, while the student independently completes substantive assignments and participates as a team member in broader projects/assignments. Responsibilities include conducting information research and providing substantive responses to agency and external inquiries; preparing briefing materials for upcoming meetings or other high-level visits, i.e. preparing and compiling program information, biographies of participants, background on subject at hand, country maps, etc.; setting up Washington consultations for DOS personnel during visits to Washington; and attending meetings/conferences and providing written summaries.

Independently completes special research requests requiring a practical knowledge of program and mission objectives. Exchanges and develops information, resolves discrepancies, and makes recommendations about conflicting program-related materials. Collects program information from technical specialists, enters it into a variety of electronic information systems, searches for related information, and retrieves all relevant data. Assembles and summarizes the data, background information, and other materials into report or presentation formats. Recommends alternative methods and approaches as appropriate.

Monitors the status of program assignments, ensuring that due dates are noted and established, that background materials are routed to the assigned staff, and that copies of background materials are maintained in a secure location, and immediately available to the supervisor and staff. Provides reminders of approaching due dates to ensure that all assignments are met in a timely manner. Performs other duties as assigned.

As a Student Trainee (Office Automation) GS-03, you may also:

• Performs office automation duties using such software applications as electronic mail, desk-top publishing, calendar, spreadsheet, database, and/or graphics, to track Congressional correspondence.
• Performs electronic file maintenance work including: updating and maintaining computer files and inventory; making backup copies; establishing and maintaining a uniform identification and archive library system; updating and maintaining all manuals, references books, and operating handbooks, and guidelines; maintaining appointments, calendars, schedules; schedules appointments, coordinates meetings, and/or schedules conferences. Based on the subject matter of the meeting, arranges for meeting and small conference administrative details.
• Responsibilities include conducting information research and providing substantive responses to agency and external inquiries; preparing briefing materials for upcoming meetings, or other high level visits, i.e. preparing and compiling program information, biographies of participants, background on subject at hand, country maps, etc.; setting up Washington consultations for DOS personnel during visits to Washington; and attending meetings/conferences and providing written summaries.
• Independently completes special research requests requiring a practical knowledge of program and mission objectives. Exchanges and develops information, resolves discrepancies, and makes recommendations about conflicting program-related materials.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.
• Must be at least 16 years of age by the closing date of the announcement.
• Verification from the academic institution confirming acceptance into a qualifying program.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0.
• Must maintain student eligibility for duration of internship.
• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment at a qualifying educational institution with at least a half-time course load.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain at least a Secret Security clearance.
• All transcripts or educational supporting documentation must reflect a projected graduation date on or after Fall 2022.

Qualifications

GS-3: Completion of 1 full academic year of post-high school study AND be currently accepted to/enrolled in a qualifying degree or certificate program.

Education

An individual who needs to complete less than the equivalent of half an academic/vocational or technical course-load immediately prior to graduating is still considered a student for the purposes of this Program.

The Pathways Internship Program targets students accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled in a qualifying educational program in an accredited institution, on a full or half-time basis with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school.

Applicants must meet the definition of "student" in order to be considered for this opportunity. Internship appointments under the Internship Experience Program (IEP) are non-temporary and can last the duration of the student's academic program. This will be determined at the time of selection. Interns may work full-time or part-time schedules.

At the successful conclusion of the program, interns may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a Federal career or career-conditional position in the competitive service.

Conversions to the competitive service are not guaranteed.

Pathways candidates must meet the DOS qualification standards applicable to the position being filled. All applicants must meet the qualifications by the closing date of this announcement.

Cumulative GPA of 2.0 at time of application and must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA throughout the entire Pathways Internship appointment;

Degree does not have to be related to the position/series; however to be eligible, candidate must meet the OPM qualification standards for the position to which the Intern may be converted.

Certificate Requirements:

Undergraduate certificates must contain a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours.

Graduate certificates must contain a minimum of 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours.

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.

The Department of State no longer accepts certificates that are credited with Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

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 .

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence at the time of application. Late submissions of proof of accreditation will not be accepted. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.

Student means an individual accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled), including awardees of the Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship Program under Public Law 93-842. Students need not be in actual physical attendance, so long as all other requirements are met. An individual who needs to complete less than the equivalent of half an academic/vocational or technical course-load immediately prior to graduating is still considered a student for purposes of this Program.

Must work at least 32 hours per week between the hours of 7:00am and 5:30pm, Monday-Friday Eastern Standard timezone.

Additional information

Pathways Internship Experience Program (IEP) appointments are made on a non-temporary basis.

To be eligible for conversion to the competitive service after completion of the program, an intern must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Successfully complete an academic course of study as evidenced by a qualifying degree
• Graduate with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Complete a minimum of 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Pathways Internship Program while enrolled as a full-time or half-time degree or certificate seeking student (work requirement must be met prior to academic program completion)*
• Meet the OPM qualification standards for the position to which the Intern may be converted
• Maintain acceptable performance under the Agency's approved performance management system
• Receive favorable recommendation for conversion from supervisor

*You may be granted a waiver and credited for a maximum of 320 hours based on stipulations in 5 CFR 362.204 paragraphs (c) and (d).

The US Department of State is not obligated to make an offer of employment, nor is the student obligated to accept an offer of employment.

For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or ReasonableAccommodations@state.gov.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) - U.S. law requires organizations to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee's information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.

Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination for Federal Employees:

As required by Executive Order 14043 , Federal employees are required 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 November 22, 2021, or before appointment or onboarding with the Department of State, if after November 22. The Department of State will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.