Description

Please refer to the Student Trainee (Chemistry) job announcement [FSIS-26-MCE-12900022-JKM]: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/860131700

The Internship Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service. OPHS provides the scientific leadership necessary for the support of science-based food safety programs and policies implemented to reduce foodborne illnesses and deaths. OPHS uses a scientifically based risk assessment approach to focus on the potential human health outcomes of meat, poultry, and egg product consumption.

As a Student Trainee (Chemistry), your duties will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Working closely with experienced chemists to coordinate and conduct laboratory analytical services.
• Receiving clear, specific, and detailed instructions as to the methods, procedures, and guidelines to use.
• Taking measurements and collecting information.
• Learning to receive and log proper samples.
• Conducting routine calculating, plotting, and checking of numerical data.
• Accomplishing routine analyses.
• Learning to use a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and the ISO 17025 quality standards.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, you must meet BOTH the Pathway Internship Eligibility requirements as well as the minimum Qualifications for the position:

To Be Eligible For An Appointment Under The Internship Program You Must Meet The Following Requirement: Student applicants must be 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. Student Trainees must be in good academic standing, as defined by the institution they are attending. Generally at least a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) for undergraduate programs (cumulative; no rounding) and a 3.0 GPA for advanced degree programs. Individuals must meet the definition of a student throughout the duration of their Internship appointment.

(*NOTE: Certificate Program: This term is defined, in 5 CFR 362.102, and means postsecondary education in a qualifying educational institution equivalent to at least 1 academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.)

To Qualify At The GS-04 Grade Level: Successful completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree.

If you are a student veteran, complete the questionnaire and submit documentation: DD-214, VA Letter, SF-15 if claiming 10-point Veterans' preference or DD-214 if claiming 5-point preference or VEOA eligibility (separated under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous service).

PROGRAM COMPLETION: This is an indefinite appointment. Upon successful completion of the program and at the agency's discretion, the appointee may be non-competitively converted to a term or career or career-conditional appointment, upon conversion this position has a full performance level of GS-12 depending on available vacancies. The anticipated position may change based on the needs of the organization. Interns must qualify and meet the individual occupational requirements for the position. Service in the Pathways Program confers no right to further employment in either the competitive or excepted service. An agency wishing to convert a student must therefore execute the required action to do so within 180 days of successful completion of the degree and program requirements.

Using Education To Qualify: To use your education as a basis for meeting the Minimum Qualification Requirements (MQR) for this position, you MUST submit academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements. If specific course work is required to fulfill the MQR, you must supply transcripts from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken to receive credit for that course work. See the "Qualifications" section of this announcement for more details.

COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS: You MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts:

Your Field of Study
School Name
Student's Name
Current GPA or Academic Standing
Past and Current Course Work
Degree Program
Major/Concentration
An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if selected, an official college transcript will be required prior to entering on duty.

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, candidates are to ensure these requirements are met. If you do not submit sufficient academic documentation demonstrating that you meet the eligibility and MQR for this position, your application will be deemed incomplete & any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. Visit here for a database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information or you will be ineligible for further consideration.