Come make the most of your internship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)! The Student Trainee (Public Affairs Specialist) position in the NIH Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL) is a great way to gain federal experience while pursuing an education. This is an opportunity to work with top professionals who exemplify and promote creative discoveries, innovative strategies, and collaborative exchange of information. Be a part of the mission - apply now!

Duties

As a Student Trainee (Public Affairs Specialist), your typical work assignments may include: Prepare a variety of standardized documents from rough draft and/or oral instructions. Develop documents using a variety of office automation applications. Perform special projects. Shadow public affairs specialists in various work functions, such as media relations, social media strategy, content development, video production, special events management, or NIH event coverage. As a Pathways Student Trainee at the NIH, you will be engaged in projects/tasks related to your position and program area. The NIH Institute will share further information on the structure and content of the program with you during the interview process.

Requirements

• This announcement is open to U.S. citizens, non-citizens, national or legal permanent residents.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Must be at least 16 years old by the closing date of this announcement.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Applicants who graduate college at the conclusion of the Spring 2024 semester may only be considered if they are accepted for enrollment in a new program for the Summer 2024 or Fall 2024 semester.
• Must be a U.S. citizen prior to conversion to a career-conditional appointment.
• Applicants under 18 years of age will require a work permit prior to appointment.

Qualifications

To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program or accepted for enrollment on at least a half-time basis in an accredited educational institution for Spring 2024. These institutions include (but are not limited to): High School College (including 4-year colleges/universities, community college, and junior college) Professional, Technical, Vocational, and Trade School Advanced Degree Program Certificate Program Other qualifying educational institutions A note about certificate programs: Certificate programs are defined as post-secondary education in a qualifying educational institute and must be equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study. The certificate program must also be a part of an accredited college-level, technical, vocational, trade, or business school curriculum. Students graduating in Spring 2024 who are not accepted or enrolled for a new degree-seeking program after graduation will be rated ineligible for this position due to the requirement to have 640 work hours prior to conversion to the competitive service. To qualify for the GS-4 grade level: You must have completed at least 2 full years of post high school education or completed the requirements for an associate's degree OR have one (1) year of general work experience equivalent to a GS-3 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: performing clerical tasks related to creating filing systems, using computer software, and organizing and maintaining manual and reference guides. To qualify for the GS-5 grade level: You must have completed 4 academic years of post high school education leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree OR have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: performing clerical tasks related to processing paperwork related to administrative duties, utilizing automated systems and software applications, inputting information into databases, assisting with providing logistical support for program staff, preparing travel documents, providing general office support to staff. To qualify for the GS-6 grade level: You must demonstrate in your resume, at least 1 year of qualifying experience equivalent to a GS-5 in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector. Examples of qualifying experience include: drafting news advisories, releases, talking points, questions and answers, and speeches for review; assisting in developing written communication materials concerning a range of subjects related to the organization's programs; and using the internet and/or web pages to communicate information to internally within an organization. To qualify for the GS-7 grade level: You have completed one (1) full academic year of graduate-level education OR demonstrate eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and completion of a bachelor's degree OR 1 year of qualifying experience at the GS-6 in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following types of tasks: drafting news advisories, releases, talking points, questions and answers, and speeches; developing written communication materials concerning a range of subjects related to the organization's programs; and using the internet and/or web pages to communicate information to the public and media. Superior Academic Achievement: If you are claiming SAA you must provide evidence such as a copy of your official transcript at the time of application. To be eligible under Superior Academic Achievement at the GS-07 level you must meet one of the following requirements: a) graduating within the upper-third of the graduating class in a college, university, or major subdivision such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; b) obtain a GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; c) being elected for membership in a national scholastic honor society. Special Provisions/or Interns with Previous Related Education or Experience: Previous education and/or experience may be evaluated to determine the highest grade level for which the individual is qualified. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12280257

Education

You must submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

• All unofficial transcripts must include the following: enrollment status showing Spring 2024 courses, current overall GPA, major, and the number of credits for each course.
• Additional proof of enrollment for the upcoming Summer 2024 or Fall 2024 semester will be required before a final job offer can be extended.

You must be currently enrolled on at least a half-time basis for Spring 2024.

If you are recently enrolled for Spring 2024 semester and do not have a transcript, please provide enrollment verification including number of credits with your application (e.g. I graduated in Fall 2023 with a bachelor's degree and am now enrolled in a master's degree program on at least a half-time basis for Spring 2024).

If you have been accepted for Fall 2024 semester and do not have a transcript or enrollment verification, please provide a copy of an acceptance letter with your application (e.g. I am a high school senior graduating in May/June 2024 and have been accepted for Fall 2024 enrollment in a bachelor's program).

If you are unable to provide transcripts with the required information, please provide other proof of enrollment (e.g., enrollment verification letter) for Spring 2024 on at least a half-time basis and to include cumulative GPA.

Applicants who have completed their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization and must provide a copy of the evaluation prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

If you do not submit a transcript indicating your possession of the required education, you will not be considered for this position.

Conversion Into the Competitive Service

While conversion is not guaranteed, NIH Student Trainees, with U.S. citizenship, may be converted to a career-conditional appointment within 120 days of successful completion of all program requirements as specified by the Pathways Participant Agreement.

Non-competitive conversion may be made to either a one-grade or two-grade interval position, depending on the agency's policy. An individual participating in the Internship Program who otherwise meets the Program requirements for conversion (i.e., work hours, satisfactory performance, educational requirements, training completed, etc.) may be converted to a position that has an established career ladder. Upon conversion, positions may have promotion potential up to the GS-13 grade level. Promotion potential is determined based on the position being filled within an Institute/Center. For a description of the positions listed above, please visit: http://www.jobs.nih.gov/globalrecruitment/.

Student Trainees must work 640 hours prior to graduation in order to be eligible for conversion.

The duration of a Pathways appointment under Schedule D is a trial period.

A one-year probationary period will be required upon conversion into the competitive service.

Contacts

• Address National Institutes of Health 6701 Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20892 US
• Name: Ivette Lopez
• Phone: 301-594-2792
• Email: [email protected]