The Recent Graduates (RG) Program is a dynamic, one-year developmental program that promotes careers in the Federal Government to recent graduates. Participants in the Program receive training and professional development, complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP), and are assigned a mentor. RG's who successfully complete Program requirements may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent position in the civil service.

Duties

The following are the duties of this position at the GS-12. Since you are being selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties and will receive training to help you grow in this position. As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will:

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Foreign National who meets both Immigration and Annual Appropriations Laws.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• A Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement is required.
• Recent Graduates serve a trial period for the entire duration of their excepted service appointment.
• Applicant must provide proof that they have obtained an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, professional, doctorate, vocational, technical degree, or a certificate from a qualifying educational institution with the previous 2 years.; OR
• Applicant must provide proof that they have completed a qualifying career or technical education program within the previous 2 years.
• Veterans precluded by a military service obligation have up to 6 years after completion of degree or certificate to apply.

Qualifications

You must meet the eligibility and qualifications by the closing date of this announcement. To be eligible for the Pathways Recent Graduate program you must be a: Recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, technical degree, or certificate from a qualifying educational institution or completed a qualifying career or technical education program that awards a recognized postsecondary credential (such as a Registered Apprenticeship Program or Job Corps). -OR- Preference eligible veterans who have been precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their two-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion. You MUST submit a copy of the DD214 showing the duration and dates of service that precluded you from applying due to the military service obligation. For the GS-09: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position at the GS-9 includes: Assist with writing news or informational articles, OR Assist in the development of communication products such as brochures, presentations, or news releases. OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-9 BASED ON EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position. (Examples: MBA, MPA etc) OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position. (Examples: MBA, MPA etc) OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-9 BASED ON COMBINATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the specialized experience requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the educational requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education in excess of the first 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education. For the GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of the 3 of the following: Draft a variety of products, (i.e., fact sheets, informational brochures and papers, PowerPoint briefings, articles, press releases) to convey programs and accomplishments to outside audiences; Assist senior Specialists in reviewing communication documents; Plan information sessions such as professional or public events or meetings. OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-11 BASED ON EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related. OR YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE GS-11 BASED ON COMBINATION:You may qualify on a combination of education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the specialized experience requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the educational requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education in excess of 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours), may be used to combine education and experience. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to OPM Instructions.

What constitutes a valid certificate program: The Pathways Programs regulation (see 5 CFR 362.102) defines certificate program as post-secondary education at either:

• A qualifying educational institution (trade or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, or graduate or professional school) 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.; OR
• A qualifying career or technical education program of at least one year that awards a recognized postsecondary credential.

What types of programs would meet the eligibility criteria for a qualifying career or technical education program?

Three types of programs meet these criteria:

• Federally administered educational programs that provide rigorous academic content, technical skill proficiency, and a recognized postsecondary credential to prepare the individual for further education and/or a career in a current or emerging profession.;
• Registered Apprenticeship Programs; and
• Federally administered local, state, national, or international volunteer service programs.

What is a Federally administered career or technical education program?

A Federally administered career or technical education program is subject to programmatic oversight by a federal agency that includes:

• The nature and scope of work to be performed by participants,
• The type(s) and scope of training to be provided to participants,
• The types of skills participants will acquire or develop during the program (e.g., teaching, environmental, business, scientific, public health/health care, languages),
• The level and extent of mentoring participants will receive, and
• The metrics for successful completion of the program.

Programmatic oversight may be reflected in partnership or cooperative agreements.

Contacts

• Address Office of Environmental Management - Carlsbad Field Office Department of Energy Human Capital Shared Service Center 1000 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20585 US
• Name: Applicant Inquiries Pathways
• Email: [email protected]