PDF versionJob Summary
General InformationIn 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 for GS-04: $16.83 perhour(Step 01) to $21.87 per hour(Step 10) Salary for GS-05: $18.83 perhour(Step 01) to $24.48 per hour(Step 10) NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired atthe Step 01.
Major Duties
The USGS Florence Bascom Science Center, located in Reston, VA is seeking an associate, undergraduate, or graduate level student working towards a degree in physical science or engineering to gain practical experience in researching, organizing, and calculating scientific data.
As a Student Trainee (Physical Science Technical) 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 physical science.
Duties include:
- Operates computers, terminals, and peripheral data processing equipment to store, retrieve, edit, update, manipulate, and analyze recorded data or standard data bases.
- Assists scientists in office phases of scientific projects.
- Measures samples for laboratory experiments using standard laboratory testing equipment and procedures.
- Assists in text preparation of manuscripts by proofreading for consistency of information presented in textual, tabular, or chart materials.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Field work requires moderate to strenuous activities such as hiking, digging, lifting , and driving a vehicle. Involves moderate risks and discomforts, exposure to conditions such as rain, cold/hot weather, and rapidly running or icy streams and rivers. Laboratory work involves exposure high levels of noise and vibration, dust, grease, and moving parts of machinery. Work requires protective clothing and gear.
Qualifications
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.
Eligibility RequirementsIn 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 home school; 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.
Students currently enrolled must be in good academic standing maintaining a 2.0 grade point average on a cumulative basis.
You must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout the duration of your appointment under the Pathways Internship Prgm. Qualification Requirements
For GS-04: Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-4 level:
A. Six months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-3 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position. NOTE: Excess specialized experience beyond the required 6 months may be substituted for general experience; i.e., one year of creditable specialized experience will meet the requirements for 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience.
General experience is work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position to be filled, OR experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.
Specialized experience for GS-4 and above may include work in the fields of astronomy, physics, geophysics, chemistry, hydrology, health physics, engineering, electronics, geology, oceanography, and metallurgy. Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or draft may be credited as general or specialized experience when the work was performed in close association with physical scientists or technical personnel and provided intensive knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, techniques, and precedents.Examples of GS-3 level work assignments include: 1) Performing simple analysis of water samples for specific conductance, PH, color, turbidity, chloride, and biochemical oxygen demand; 2) Recording analytical data for laboratory staff; 3) Assisting laboratory staff in the preparation of samples for more complex analysis; 4) Assisting in quality assurance operations including preparation of reference samples, standard solutions, reagents; 5) Receiving, inventory, packaging and shipping of laboratory and field sampling supplies to field offices and maintaining records of items and quantities to be shipped; 6) Cleaning laboratory equipment and glassware.**ORB. Completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics. **ORC. Combination of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized and/or general experience may be used to meet the qualification requirements for the GS-04 level. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)
For GS-05: Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-5 level:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position. Specialized experience may include work in the fields of astronomy, physics, geophysics, chemistry, hydrology, health physics, engineering, electronics, geology, oceanography, and metallurgy if it equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position.
Examples of GS-4 level work: 1) Under close supervision and review, serves as a trainee acquiring a familiarity with laboratory and/or field environment. Analyzes, evaluates, consolidates and reports findings. Uses a large number of delicate and exacting steps and/or elaborate instruments. Possess little or no practical experience in the work, but may posses theoretical knowledge related to the position gained through formal technical training; 2) Applies a limited amount of experience in accomplishing the work. Receives oral instructions concerning work methods, available equipment, and procedures to be followed on new tasks. Uses some written guides. Work is checked in progress and upon completion for adequacy and accuracy. Methods are fairly well established; makes procedural readjustments; selects auxiliary equipment and methods due to sample size, limitations of equipment, etc.; 3) Receives general oral instructions as to timeframes, anticipated technical problems, and possible sources of additional guidance. Written guides are available, but do contain gaps and deviations where the technician is expected to decide possible alternatives. Work is rarely checked in progress, but is checked for adequacy and accuracy at end of assignment or phase. Performs one or a few routine procedural tasks where work methods and techniques are well established. Arranges work sequences, adjusts equipment, and recognizes deviations in results obtained. **ORB. Completion of a full four year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field of physical science, or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours, or the equivalent, in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics. **OR
C. Combination of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized experience may be used to meet the qualification requirements for GS-5. Only progressive education in excess of the first 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours (i.e., beyond the first two years) of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement, assuming the education includes the required number of directly related semester hours, or the equivalent, in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics.(CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION & SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE)
All applicants must meet qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Pay Range
$16.83 - $24.48