Student Trainee

Summary This is a paid internship opportunity under the Pathways Internship Program which provides students opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers. At the National Science Foundation, you not only get a great place to work but also have the chance to become part of cutting-edge innovation and discovery that is changing the world. You will gain real-life experiences while expanding the frontiers of Science. Responsibilities Business Operations Specialists provide direct and comprehensive program support to Program Directors, Program Managers, and other staff in the assigned organization by using analytical and information management techniques to collect, organize, and share data about assigned projects. They analyze, evaluate, coordinate activities, and offer advice to management in the following areas: Project Management: Plans, develops, implements, communicates, and tracks project plans, guidelines, budgets, procedures, and timetables. Organizes, implements, communicates, and tracks assigned project plans, guidelines, budgets, procedures and timetables including recommending changes in project policy and management activities. Assists with management studies to evaluate and measure the progress, and success of projects assigned and to identify and recommend ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of organizational programs and activities. Collects pertinent statistical data and narrative information from various sources within and outside NSF, and identifies opportunities for continuous improvements to databases, data gathering, analytical methods, and interactions with Principal Investigators (PIs)/reviewers. Operations Analysis and Support: Works collaboratively with other team members to restructure work processes, standardize procedures, and manage changes across supported organizations. Assists Program Directors (PDs) and organizational leadership in technical aspects of preparing for Committee of Visitors (COVs) and other site visits including data collection, data analysis, literature searches, and web-based queries. Collects and formats data for analysis and information sharing; conducts moderately complex quantitative and qualitative analyses; presents data for program analysis; and drafts and submits required reports. Financial Resource Analysis and Support: Assists in identifying necessary resources, including funding, staff, and equipment, for providing administrative support to assigned projects. Performs a variety of assignments in the areas of budget analysis, formulation, monitoring, financial management and reporting, in accordance with federal budgeting regulations, procedures, and methods. Reviews requests for purchases to determine if all required financial accounting and justification information has been completed (i.e. justifications for expenditure of funds, verification of account number, object classification codes). May serve as a VISA Cardholder. Ensures compliance with financial management regulations and policies in all assigned areas. Communication and Outreach Analysis and Support: Conducts program analysis including Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) reporting. Assists PDs and leadership in developing outreach plans by identifying target audiences, preparing materials (e.g., presentations, tutorials) for outreach and site visit activities, and evaluating their effectiveness. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Selectee will be required to have a background investigation prior to onboarding. Selectee must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited academic institution & maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher for the duration of the Internship. Selectee will be required to sign an agreement that outlines the parameters of the Internship Program. Selectee may be required to submit updated transcripts and proof of enrollment upon selection and during the duration of the Internship. Selectee may be required to serve a trial period. Selectee may be required to complete a background investigation prior to onboarding. Additional Requirements: All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. From the closing date of this vacancy announcement, applicants MUST have at least one year remaining in their required coursework for completion of their degree. All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full /blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position. Qualifications Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited academic institution and have a 2.5 GPA or higher to be eligible for a Pathways Internship Appointment. In addition to the above appointment requirements, see below qualification requirements: To qualify at the GS-7 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 Level in the federal service supporting program operation and analysis activities. Examples of relevant experience include supporting projects or programs, collecting data for analyses, supporting evaluations or studies led by higher-level staff, and providing input to analytical reports and/or recommendations. OR Possess Superior Academic Achievement - having earned a Baccalaureate degree with one of the following: graduated in the upper one-third of your graduating class; and earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript, or based on courses completed during your final 2 years OR Possess at least one full year of graduate level education; OR Possess a combination of post high school education and experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position. To qualify at the GS-9 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 Level in the federal service performing program support and administrative analysis activities. Examples of relevant experience include: participating in a variety of projects, evaluating administrative operations, collecting data and conducting analyses, and developing reports and recommendations for management review. OR Possess A master's or equivalent graduate degree. OR Possess two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR Possess a combination of post high school education and experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position. Experience refers to paid/unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) & other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, & skills & can provide valuable training/experience that translates directly to paid work. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Education may be substituted for experience as described in "Qualifications." All applicants must supply transcripts or alternate document to verify proof of enrollment, and GPA eligibility. If qualifying based on education, you must submit TRANSCRIPTS (unofficial copies are acceptable) or a DIPLOMA that verifies that the educational requirement is met. All education must be accredited by an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants may verify accreditation at the following website: Accreditation. PLEASE NOTE: Certificate program is defined as post-secondary education in a qualifying educational institution equal to at least one academic year of full-time study that's part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum. Additional Information Relocation Expenses will not be paid. Students may be hired for Internship positions at any time during the year and may work full-time or part-time based on office needs. The Internship Program allows students an opportunity to be converted non-competitively to a career-conditional or term position once the student completes all requirements of the Internship Program. Noncompetitive conversion to a permanent or term position is NOT guaranteed. The Intern's eligibility for conversion does not guarantee that the agency will opt for conversion. This position is in the bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 3403. It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to & including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment & referral to the Office of Inspector General. Foreign Talent Definitions Veteran's Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. For 5-point veterans' preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the VA letter or other required documentation as specified on the SF-15. NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary. This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the National Science Foundation.