Summary These positions are part of the Interior Business Center (IBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD). As a student trainee in AQD's internship program, ASPIRE, you will receive experimental immersion and hands-on training in key foundational acquisition concepts from dedicated, acquisition professionals. Please refer to the Duties and Additional Information section for more information on the ASPIRE internship program. Responsibilities Gain experience in the different stages of the acquisition-life cycle via experimental immersion training and hands-on practicum. Acquire training and knowledge in key business acumen areas related to the acquisition career field, such as customer service and project management. Learn about the various regulations, policies, and statutes that govern the different phases in the acquisition-life cycle. Gain exposure to acquisition, business, and financial systems that support. Perform other duties as assigned. ASPIRE Program Information: The Interior Business Center is looking for current college students interested in learning about federal government acquisitions to participate in a paid, hands-on, immersive student intern program called ASPIRE. As an ASPIRE intern, you will join a cohort of other interns, gaining exposure to a community of acquisition professionals, who share a passion for serving the federal government and teaching others key acquisition concepts. The ASPIRE program will provide interns a solid foundation to serve as future acquisition professionals. The ASPIRE program is comprised of three phases: Cornerstone, Keystone, and Capstone. The requirements and specifics for each phase are as follows: 1. Cornerstone a. Upon completion of the academic year, interns will report to the Winter Park, FL vicinity. b. Interns will work full-time, on site on a set schedule. c. Paid housing available during this phase. 2. Keystone a. After completing the Cornerstone phase, interns will return to school. During this phase, interns have the option to work a flexible, part-time work (up to 20 hours per week) while in school in a remote capacity. 3. Capstone a. Upon completion of the academic year, interns return again to Winter Park, FL vicinity to finish the final phase of the ASPIRE program. b. Interns will work full-time, on site on a set schedule. c. Paid housing available during this phase. Upon completion of the Capstone phase, interns may be converted to a full-time, permanent position to work from the Winter Park, FL vicinity. NOTE: Upon completion of the Capstone phase, paid housing will no longer be available. Requirements Conditions of Employment Suitable for Federal employment, determined by background investigation. Direct Deposit of pay is required. Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt. Qualifications Applicants must carefully review the information in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for important information and instructions pertaining to the multi-hurdle assessment process for this position. GS-04: To qualify, you must have completed 2 full academic years of post-high school study OR an associate degree (1 full academic year is equivalent to 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours). Only education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. Eligibility Requirements: In order to be eligible for the Pathways Career Internship Program, the following qualifications must be met: Be a U.S. citizen; Be at least 16 years of age; Be a student enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree or certificate seeking student taking at least a half-time academic, technical, or vocational course load in an accredited technical, vocational, 2 or 4 year college or university, graduate or professional school. The Certificate Program requirement includes 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. Possess and maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA or equivalent on a 4.0 scale. Only education from institutions which are accredited or preaccredited/candidate for accreditation may be used to meet education requirements. Student must meet eligibility requirements throughout the duration of your appointment under the Pathways Internship Program. *If you are currently enrolled, but in your last semester/quarter of completing your degree/certificate requirements and expect to graduate Spring of 2024, you must show proof of continued education such as an acceptance letter or you will be disqualified. Program Completion and Conversion Requirement: At the successful conclusion of the Pathways Program, interns may be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment. Conversion is not guaranteed. To be considered for conversion the following requirements must be met: -Must be a U.S. citizen -Completed 640 hours of work experience acquired through the internship program -Successful completion of degree or certificate requirements from a qualifying institution -Meet qualification requirements for the position to which you will be converted - Contracting Series, 1102, Contracting Series, 1102 (opm.gov) -Performed successfully in position and documented through performance evaluations Depending on the intern's eligibility, if converted to a permanent appointment the anticipated targeted position will be either as a Contract Specialist, GS-1102-05 (FPL 13) or a Contract Specialist, GS-1102-07 (FPL 13). The target position and FPL may change based on the need of the organization at the time of conversion. Interns must meet the qualification standards for the series of the position being converted to. Education You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. All documentation needs to be legible. If selected, you will need to provide official transcripts. Only education from institutions which are accredited or preaccredited/candidate for accreditation may be used to meet education requirements. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Additional Information These positions are located in the Winter Park, Florida vicinity. In order to be eligible to receive consideration for this position, you must be able to report to the duty station location listed in this vacancy announcement if selected and be available to work the schedule listed. As a Student Trainee (Contracting) you will serve in a trainee capacity, performing routine and recurring developmental assignments to acquire knowledge and an understanding of functions, principles, practices, and methods used in the area of acquisitions. Recruitment Incentive: If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a $7,500 recruitment incentive with a 2-year service agreement. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. Telework Suitability: The duties of this position are suitable for occasional telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval and if they meet the eligibility criterion in the 2010 Telework Act. Stipulations of Employment: Appointees must sign a Participant Agreement that sets forth the expectations for the Pathways Program. The duration of an excepted service appointment in the Pathways Program is a trial period. Must maintain half-time enrollment status and 2.0 cumulative GPA. Work Schedule: Below are the work schedule requirements for each phase of the ASPIRE program: Cornerstone (Summer 2024) a. On site, full-time work, in Winter Park, FL vicinity b. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8AM - 4:30PM ET (excluding Federal Holidays) Keystone (Academic 2024-2025 Year) a. Optional, part-time work (up to 20 hours per week), in a remote capacity b. Must have an approved remote agreement on file to work remotely Capstone (Summer 2025) a. On site, full-time work, in Winter Park, FL vicinity b. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8AM - 4:30PM ET (excluding Federal Holidays) Miscellaneous: This position has been designated as hard to fill. If you were referred by an IBC employee, the employee may be eligible to receive a bonus for referring you under the IBC Referral Program. A qualified referring employee must submit the Candidate Referral Form to the HROD point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement prior to the issuance of a competitive selection certificate. DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify. Promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days. Applicants who applied under vacancy announcement # IBC-24-PW-12256447HD NO NOT need to reapply under this announcement.