Summary
This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), with one vacancy in Silver Spring, MD.
Duties
As a Student Trainee (Administrative), you will be a participant in the Pathways Intern Program and perform administrative work assignments that are clear cut, well-planned, and designed to support the organization mission. You will receive on-the-job and formal training to perform routine administrative assignments under supervisory instructions on objectives, limitations, priorities, and deadlines. Below is a list of duties that will be performed by the incumbent: Provide assistance in maintaining accountable property, contract management support, and assist with tracking of time and attendance. Update manuals on policies, directives, and other memoranda using correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting, skills in the use of a variety of automated processing systems. Provide program and project management support to include performing various tasks such as creating spreadsheets, maintaining databases, and completing of a variety of administrative documents. This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZA-2 is equivalent to the GS-07/09. The Intern (NTE) 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 or be in or a career or technical education programs, (which may include Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps);- 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. This appointment may be extended as long as the individual continues to meet the eligibility requirements of the Pathways Intern Program and the employing office has a continuing need. 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 Additional Information).
Requirements
Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Additional Information. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov) Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Additional Considerations: One year trial period may be required. Payment of relocation expenses (PCS) is not authorized. This position requires Low Risk Security Clearance. If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts and/or letter from the school stating you are enrolled in a degree/certificate/career program on at least a half time basis in good standing and your expected graduation date. Background investigation will be required. Continued employment is subject to applicant's successful completion of security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, for those required to serve a 2-year probationary period, we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct; Needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of then Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.
Education
Applicants must demonstrate proof of enrollment for Spring 2026 by submitting an official proof of enrollment letter from a qualifying educational institution or a transcript indicating courses to be taken in Spring 2026. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), name of accredited institution, course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken. Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college 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. IF YOU ARE IN YOUR LAST SEMESTER/QUARTER of completing your degree/certificate requirements, you must show proof of acceptance to a continuing degree/certificate program. This may be documented by an acceptance letter for future enrollment in a degree/certificate program. If you do not provide proof of continuing education, you will be disqualified from further consideration. If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts.
How you will be evaluated
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Your resume, supporting documents and responses to the online questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you meet eligibility and minimum qualification requirements. Veterans' preference applies to all selections made under the Pathways authority in accordance with CFR, Part 302. Additionally, you will be evaluated using a Job Knowledge Test. The Job Knowledge Test is designed to assess technical and professional expertise directly relevant to the requirements of this announcement. This assessment measures the specialized knowledge and skills accumulated over time, which are critical for successful performance in this position. To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13032602