Job Description

The United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) is looking for a Student Trainee (IT Management) that is interested in receiving on-the-job training to enhance technical competencies in areas such as: web design, internet principles and operations, IT customer support, communication methods, and techniques, etc. The ideal candidate possesses a base knowledge of Internet operations, programming techniques, computer equipment, and application software. Ideally USASOC is looking for a Student Trainee with strong analytical skills who can work in a fast-paced environment, has a strong work ethic, and understands the high demands of the ever-changing information technology field. This position serves as a civilian supporting the military and does NOT have a military service requirement.

OPEN & CLOSING DATES: Monday, 14 December – Monday, 21 December 2020

VACANCIES: 1

PAY PLAN/SERIES/GRADE: GS-2299-03 target 05

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Internship

WORK SCHEDULE: Full-time

DUTY LOCATION: Fort Bragg, NC

COMPENSATION:

SALARY: $28,889 - $47,171 per annum

Pay setting for current Federal employees will be set in accordance with pay setting regulations. Non-Federal employees are able to request salary negotiations within the specified salary range prior to appointment.

RELOCATION COSTS: Not authorized.

JOIN TEAM USASOC!

This position is located at US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) in Fort Bragg NC.

Are you ready to make a difference? Consider working at the United States Special Operations Command where you have the chance to tackle real world challenges. The Command offers an opportunity to use your knowledge and skills to implement cyber initiatives and transform technology services that directly contribute to and improve communication and information flow for our warfighters.

In addition, you will have a chance to work with other talented subject matter experts, receive competitive pay and benefits (health and retirement), and gain experience through working challenging assignments. Most of all, as a civilian employee YOU can serve your nation and support America’s warfighter. It all comes together here at the USASOC. Make a difference today!

Results from the 2019 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) conducted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) showed that USASOC ranked #1 best place to work out of all Army subcomponents. The ranking is fully based on views from the employees who work in the organization. USASOC leads in supporting diversity, employee innovation, strategic management, and effective leadership.

Co-located west of Fayetteville, NC the area is surrounded by both city and rural populations and offers quaint shopping experiences, entertainment events, and seasonal recreational activities.

For more information about USASOC visit: https//www.soc.mil

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

• This is a Pathways Internship position, which will provide the intern with development and training. As the internship progresses, the responsibilities will help the candidate increase the knowledge and skills through work experience and academic training.

• Serve as an entry level-trainee who will assist senior staff members with Internet management and programming as well as Information Management in general.

• Utilizes basic computer skills in order to assist in evaluating requirements and procedures, as well as to assist with site reviews, provide solutions for functionality issues, and interfacing with customers.

• Performs developmental tasks as assigned by the supervisor to gain experience in the application of principles, procedures, and work techniques in actual operating situations.

• Develop knowledge in some or all of the following areas: Internet operations, web page design principles and methods, developing/testing software requirements, programming languages, voice and data hardware, performance monitoring tools, orientation and familiarization with functions/requirements of customers, and assisting higher graded technical personnel in systems architecture analysis.

• Provides end-user support including informal training so users understand basic functionality. Provides written instructions to users when necessary. Directs users to training material and available resources.

WHO MAY APPLY: Students who are eligible for participation in the Department of the Army Internship Program. Positions are open to current students pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate in an accredited high school, college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution on at least a half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled.) Short-term training programs (e.g., several two-week programs completed) are not considered an academic course of study.

You must be a current students in good standing at an accredited education. You must be able to work full-time when not attending classes (i.e. summers, fall and spring breaks, etc.) and as much as feasible when classes are in session. This intern position is designed to prepare a student trainee for employment after graduation as a Computer Engineer or Computer Scientist. Interns will be assigned tasks designed to increase familiarity with the target occupation in a real world work environment. This opportunity follows a standard promotional path:

• Internship selection will be made at the GS-03, GS-04, or GS-05. These grade levels are what typical college students in their second, third, or fourth year may qualify.

• Within 120 days after completion of Internship requirements, you may be eligible for conversion to the entry-level for the target occupation. Entry level for these positions are typically at the GS-05 level. The actual grade level at the time of conversion depends on academic achievement and other factors.

• The full performance level of this position is GS-05.

• Progression from the entry-level to the full performance level for this occupation will depend on successful completion of all requirements for promotion. Promotions may be considered after a year at each grade level, but are not guaranteed to occur on a specific time schedule.

Interns hired through this announcement may be promoted through the GS-5 level while serving as an intern. Student interns who successfully complete the program requirements will be eligible to convert into positions that may have a full performance level of up to GS-11.

See requirements for conversion to permanent or term position in the "Additional Information" section below.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To qualify for a Pathways Internship as a GS-03, students must have completed one full academic year of post-high school study. To qualify for a Pathways Internship as a GS-04, students must have completed two full academic years of post-high school study or have an associate's degree. To qualify for a Pathways Internship as a GS-05, students must have completed 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree. NOTE: Students that are graduating and are not subsequently enrolled in another program might not meet the work-hour requirements prior to graduation and will be at risk for not being able to convert to a career or career-conditional appointment!

For qualification purposes, an academic year is computed as follows:

• At the undergraduate level, successfully completed education that has not led to possession of a degree is credited based on its relationship to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. For example, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. Four years of progressive study or 120 semester hours meets the degree requirements. Additional credit cannot be given for duplicate course work.

• For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school.

• An academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 academic year of full-time study. This determination is made based on normal course loads for a full year of study in the graduate program. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

• When academic credit is expressed in contract months, units, or other terms that differ from conventional semester or quarter hours, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide an interpretation of such credits from the appropriate institution in order to equate them to the semester or quarter hours specified in the standard.

NOTE: If your college, vocational, trade, technical or high schools' definition of "academic year" differs from above, you must submit proof of this difference (e.g., copy of course catalog that defines an academic year). Absent this documentation, you will screened for academic qualifications based on the academic hours as defined in the bullets above.

EDUCATION:

For this internship, you must be a current student majoring in an Information Technology Management, Computer Science, or related Information Technology program.

This occupation has specific educational requirements for entry and applicants must show evidence that their planned academic program will meet those requirements (i.e. transcript reflecting enrollment in applicable programs). Students who graduate without meeting those requirements may not be converted to the target position and could be separated from federal service. Educational requirements for this position are:

GS-03 General Experience: Six months of general experience. General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled, such as, answer phones, maintain files, understand workflow of the organization, and retrieve information. OR Education: One year of education above the high school level obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 6. Then divide your semester hours of education by 30. Add the two percentages. GS-04 General Experience: One year of general experience. General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled, such as, assist with preparation of special reports, collect/analyze data, and revise/manipulate data in databases/web portals/Sharepoint. OR Education: Two years of education above the high school level obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of by 60. Add the two percentages.

GS-05 Specialized Experience: 1 year of which was equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level, which includes assisting with internet operations and/or web page design, participating in a variety of projects utilizing basic computer skills, and providing end-user support. This definition of general experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04). OR Education: Four year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 36. Then divide your total number of completed undergraduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 120. Add the two percentages. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html This is a student internship opportunity. YOUR TRANSCRIPTS ARE A REQUIRED PART OF YOUR APPLICATION.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Eligibility requirements for conversion to a permanent or term position. Interns must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen at the time of conversion;

• Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program PRIOR TO OR CONCURRENT WITH completion of academic requirements;

• Complete their educational requirements (as specified in the announcement);

• Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualification standard, including any applicable positive education requirement and/or selective placement factors and any other special qualifications requirements and conditions of employment (e.g. medical standards) appropriate for the specific competitive service position to which the intern will be converted;

• Successfully complete all the requirements of the Internship Program as defined in the agency-participant agreement; AND

• Perform their job successfully as documented through performance evaluations and/or completion of an Individual Development Plan (IDP).

• Eligibility for conversion does not guarantee an offer of conversion.

OTHER EMPLOYMENT ADVANTAGES:

BENEFITS: A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. To learn more about Federal benefits visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/.

WORK/LIFE BALANCE: USASOC values family and aims to provide a balance between the workplace and family. Some work/life balance efforts include:

• ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULES

  • Compressed Work Schedule – a fixed work schedule with no flexibility. The employee has established start and stop times.

  • Flexible Work Schedule – a basic work requirement of 80 hours bi-weekly while adhering to any limits set within the Command, such as core hours.

• TELEWORK FLEXIBILITIES (Telework flexibilities require a completed telework packet, training, and approval.)

  • Regular and recurring telework – designated day(s) to telework on a pre-determined basis.

  • Ad hoc telework – irregular telework that may be task and/or need oriented; overall telework approval granted, but requires supervisor approval of dates before conducting telework.

AWARDS: Eligible to receive time-off, honorary, and/or monetary awards.

HOW TO APPLY: For full consideration, applicants must apply by submitting a resume, which includes three professional references with contact information, and answering the screening questions via ZipRecruiter. An account does not need to be created to apply.

APPLICANT HELP DESK: Email: USASOC_G1_Careers@socom.mil with "USASOC0009" in the subject of the email.

USASOC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Company Description

Our Army Special Operations Forces Mission is to prepare for any conflict and arm the joint force with the world’s premier Army Special Operations Forces. Army Special Operations Forces are vital to the Nation through our unique capabilities— advancing partnerships, influencing adversarial behavior, executing special operations, and responding to crisis.