Student Trainee (Communications)_

Summary This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) with one vacancy in Boulder, CO. Responsibilities This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). This system replaced the Federal GS pay plan and structure. Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZA-2 is equivalent to the GS-7/9. This position has no promotion potential. As a Student Trainee (Communications), you will perform the following duties: Perform work assignments that are clear-cut, well defined, and designed to support the mission of the laboratory. Perform routine communication and informational assignments under supervisory instructions on objectives, limitations, priorities, and deadlines. Promote lab news, research, activities, and events internally within the Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) and other areas of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and externally to the scientific community, key stakeholders, and general public. Develop materials such as email newsletters, fact sheets, social media content, web page content, presentations, and graphics. Write, review, and revise material to appear in publications, reports, periodicals, brochures, speeches, and audiovisual productions. Assist in PSL communications planning and strategy. Support PSL events and outreach initiatives. Assist with day-to-day communications, administrative tasks, and cross-lab coordination. Attend seminars and workshops to observe and better understand the agency's work and mission. This position is not in the bargaining unit. Requirements Conditions of Employment The Intern (Career) must:- Be accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree or certificate in a qualifying educational institution on at least half-time basis as determined by the educational institution;- Meet the definition of a student throughout the duration of their appointments;- Meet agency-specific requirements as specified in the agency's Participant Agreement with the Intern and;- Meet the qualification standards (e.g., series and grade) for the position. Applicants must demonstrate proof of enrollment for the Fall/Winter Term of 2024/2025 by submitting an official proof of enrollment letter from a qualifying educational institution or a transcript indicating courses to be taken in the Fall/Winter Term of 2024/2025. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. This position is being recruited with an opportunity for non-competitive conversion eligibility to a permanent OR term position in the competitive service upon completion of all program requirements. Conversion is not mandatory nor guaranteed (see Other Information). Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov) A minimum of one year trial period is required. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? If converted to a permanent or term appointment, the anticipated target position will be Student Trainee (Communications), ZA-1099-2; 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 and/or letter from the school stating you are enrolled in a degree/certificate program 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. 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. Qualification Requirements Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: pm.gov/policy. To qualify at the ZA-2 or GS-7 grade level: A. Education: Completion of one full year of graduate-level education. OR B. SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: As demonstrated by a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with one of the following. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your application clearly states how you meet the provision below: A grade point average (GPA) of 2.9 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last 2 full years of undergraduate study; A GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study, or those courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study; Class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college; Membership in a national Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies. Education Definition of Student: Student is defined as an individual accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, or certificate) in a qualifying academic institution, on a half or full-time basis. Half-time is defined by the educational institution in which the student is enrolled. Students do not have to be in actual physical attendance in school, online curriculums are acceptable as long as the school is accredited by the Department of Education. Proof of Enrollment: NOAA will use applicant's transcript as proof of enrollment in the identified college/university provided it demonstrates definition of eligible student. A letter from an educational institution indicating acceptance may be used as proof of enrollment for those students who are continuing studies at a new college or university or for those student whose transcripts do not reflect in-progress courses. An official transcript will be required before you can report to duty. 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: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation Additional Information PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION: This position offers non-competitive conversion to a permanent or term position in the competitive service upon completion of academic degree or certificate program. Conversion is at management's discretion and is not guaranteed. Within (180) days after the Intern (Career's) successful completion of an academic degree or certificate program, the supervisor may convert the Intern (Career) non-competitively from the Pathways Internship Program to a term or permanent position in the competitive service. The Intern (Career) must meet all terms of 5 CFR 362.204. Additionally, the agency must have an available position. Conversion to a permanent or term position is not mandatory or guarenteed. To be eligible for conversion, an Intern (Career) must:- Be a United States citizen or national;- Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Program while enrolled as a half-time or full-time degree or certificate seeking student;- Complete a course of academic study, within the preceding 180-day period, at a qualifying educational institution conferring a diploma, certificate or degree;- Meet the qualification standards for the position to which she or he will be converted;- Receive a favorable recommendation by the supervisor; and- Meet agency-specific intern program requirements, as specified in the Participant Agreement. NOAA 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 Department of the Commerce (DOC) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.