General Information This is a temporary appointment not to exceed 3-months that may be extended as long as the individual continues to meet the eligibility requirement of the Pathways Intern Program and the employing office has continuing need. This position is located in Reston, VA and will be for the SUMMER. Salary: $19.33 to Per Hour (Step 01) to $25.13 Per Hour (Step 10); NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.

Duties

The USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center is seeking associate, undergraduate, and graduate level students working towards a degree in Physical Science to gain practical experience in having attention to detail, creative thinking, data interpretation, data management, and information management. As a Student Trainee (Physical Science) you will serve in a trainee capacity, performing routine and recurring development assignments to acquire knowledge and understanding of functions, principles, practices, and methods used in the area of Physical Science. Duties include: Performs a variety of aid and technical assignments. Assists with research projects, including the oversight of field data collection and the preparation of graphs and charts using project data. Provides support for the production and publication of databases and data collections. Performs data entry and analysis within GIS programs and associated analytical toolsets. Operates various types of laboratory equipment and computer software. Assists in providing administrative support duties, including locating and compiling research data, organizing, and maintaining files and records, and preparing correspondence reports and brief materials. Assists project chief analytical staff and other staff, as necessary. These internships could include work in the following areas: Spectroscopic analysis of minerals (sphalerite and graphite), including being trained on sample preparation, quality standards, spectroscopy, and data reduction. Compiling maps and documents related to mineral resources, especially critical mineral resources, using research methods including artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate and accelerate the work of compiling and extracting information from maps and documents. Processes that control the movement and biodegradation of contaminants from energy development activities by utilizing primarily laboratory methods, literature reviews, and possibly field sampling trips. How Mn-reducing microorganisms contribute to the microbial degradation of hydrocarbons at crude oil spill sites, specifically by cultivating Mn-reducing microorganisms through anaerobic cultivation, geochemistry, and molecular biology. Work to construct a geological model that can be used for analyzing the injection and production of different well patterns, leveraging a background in production data analysis and geological modeling. May also include samples (archiving, storage, login, preparation), records digitization, building image databases, displaying data in maps and reports, assisting with field work, and performing bibliographic research.

Requirements

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. *NOTE: To learn more about the conditions under which a portion of the work experience hours may be waived, visit https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/students-and-recent-graduates. Qualification Requirements This internship is geared toward students majoring in one of the following areas of study: Phsyical Science, Enginerring, or any branch of mathmatics except financial and commerical mathmatics. Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-4 level: Six months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-3 level in the Federal service that is in or related to the duties of this position. NOTE: Excess specialized experience beyond the required 6 months may be substituted for general experience; i.e., one year of creditable specialized experience will meet the requirements for 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience. General experience is work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position to be filled, OR experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Qualifying specialized experience for GS-4 and above may include work in the fields of astronomy, physics, geophysics, chemistry, hydrology, health physics, engineering, electronics, geology, oceanography, and metallurgy. Experience as a laboratory mechanic or in a trade or draft may be credited as general or specialized experience when the work was performed in close association with physical scientists or technical personnel and provided intensive knowledge of appropriate scientific principles, methods, techniques, and precedents. Examples of GS-3 level work assignments include: 1) Performing simple analysis of water samples for specific conductance, PH, color, turbidity, chloride, and biochemical oxygen demand; 2) Recording analytical data for laboratory staff; 3) Assisting laboratory staff in the preparation of samples for more complex analysis; 4) Assisting in quality assurance operations including preparation of reference samples, standard solutions, reagents; 5) Receiving, inventory, packaging and shipping of laboratory and field sampling supplies to field offices and maintaining records of items and quantities to be shipped; 6) Cleaning laboratory equipment and glassware. **OR successful completion of 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of courses such as physical science, engineering, or any branch of mathematics, except financial and commercial mathematics. **OR a combination of successfully completed post-high school education and specialized and/or general experience may be used to meet the qualification requirements for the GS-04 level. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE) You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

• 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.
• 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: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .

Contacts

• Address GEOLOGY, ENERGY AND MINERALS SC 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Mail Stop 600 Reston, VA 20192 US
• Name: Samantha Albino
• Phone: 703-648-7468
• Email: [email protected]