Student Trainee Intern NTE (Mission Support Specialist) - GS-0399-02-05
NOTE: Must apply through USAJOBS.gov - https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/575365100
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date.
Open: August 06, 2020 – August 12, 2020 – Full-time
Organizational Location: This Pathways Student Intern NTE position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, Houston Field Office, Houston, TX
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Responsibilities
As a Student Trainee (Mission Support) in the Pathways Program, you will perform a variety of administrative and technical assignments intended to develop the knowledge and skills required for providing mission support to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. These entry-level candidates will perform mission support duties and provide greatly needed resources to the agency's field offices. Typical work assignments include assisting higher level Specialists in: ·
- Collecting and compiling information for such areas as budget, procurement, human resources, etc.; ·
- Updating information on spreadsheets and other office documents;
- Processes incoming and outgoing mail, FedEx and UPS packages;
- Maintaining office records, files and supplies; and
- Responding to routine questions concerning administrative procedures and requirements
Travel Required: Not required; Supervisory status: No; Promotion Potential; 5
Conditions of Employment
o You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
o You must successfully pass a background investigation and drug screen
o Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
o Requirements by Closing Date: You must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
o If selected, you will be required to sign and comply with a Pathways Program Participant Agreement.
o One-year probationary period may be required.
o Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.
Qualifications
BASIC ELIGIBILITY: In order to be eligible as a Student Intern under the ICE Pathways Program, you must be enrolled in a qualifying educational institution (on at least a half-time basis) pursuing a degree, diploma, or certificate. A qualifying educational institution is a public high school whose curriculum has been approved by a state or local governing body; a private school that provides secondary education as determined under state law; a homeschool that is allowed to operate in a state; and educational institutions or curricula accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. This includes technical or vocational schools; 2- and 4-year colleges or universities; graduate and professional schools (e.g. law school or medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum that is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.Candidates must also:
o Must remain in good academic standing as defined by the school, generally at least a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) for undergraduate programs (cumulative) and a 3.0 GPA for advanced degree programs.
o Cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be maintained throughout the entire internship appointment.
o Degree does not have to be related to the position/series; however to be eligible, candidate must meet the ICE Qualification Standards for the position to which the Intern may be converted.
o Meet the ICE developed qualifications standards prior to appointment and any physical, suitability, security requirements and if applicable medical clearance.
o If selected, you will be required to sign a Pathways Program Participant Agreement.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
GS-2: Completion of high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.
Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation for s a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
Veterans' Preference: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) or an official statement from your command if currently on active duty that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and the required supporting documents listed on that form. For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION:
Interns may be converted to a permanent position (or, in some limited circumstances, to a term position lasting 1-4 years) within 120 calendar days of successful completion of the internship program and academic requirements. Students who successfully complete the internship program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent appointment or a term (1 to 4 years in duration) appointment without further competition.
To be eligible for conversion, Interns must:
- Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program.
- Complete degree or certificate requirements.
- Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Intern will be converted.
- Must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA throughout the entire internship appointment.
- Perform their job successfully.
- Agencies may waive up to 320 of the required 640 hours of work for Interns who demonstrate high potential as evidenced by outstanding academic achievement and exceptional job performance.
- In addition, students working in agencies through third-party intern providers may count up to 320 of the hours they work toward the 640 hour requirement.
- Time spent under previous Internship Program appointments may count towards required work experience hours.
Education
Additional information
Promotion Potential: Pathways Interns may advance to higher-graded positions based on completion of educational and/or work experience requirements. Advancement is not guaranteed nor implied. Promotions are dependent upon performance, administrative approval, and subject to requirements of the Pathways Program.
Non-Competitive Conversion Eligibility: Candidate(s) selected from this announcement may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent position in the competitive service provided that all terms of the Internship Program and academic requirements are met, and there is an available position. However, conversion is not guaranteed. Additional information on the ICE Pathways Program can be found at: http://www.ice.gov/careers/pathways
E-Verify: DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
Suitability: If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions (testing designated positions) are subject to random drug testing. Moreover, other drug testing of employees (e.g., reasonable suspicion drug test) may be conducted in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. All applicants tentatively selected for employment at ICE are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.
Note: One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
o Accountability
o Attention to Detail
o Customer Service
o Flexibility
o Integrity/Honesty
o Interpersonal Skills
o Learning
o Self-Management
o Stress Tolerance
o Teamwork
In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories:
1. Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis
3. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10880316
The Category Rating Process does not add veteran's preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). Veteran preference eligibles will receive selection consideration before non-preference eligibles within each quality category.
Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance: Not Required; Drug test required: Yes; Position sensitivity and risk: Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk; Trust determination process
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Resume showing relevant experience, education and training. Work experience should include: job title, duties, employer's name, employer's telephone number, employer's address, starting and ending dates (MM/YY), hours worked per week, and indicate whether or not we may contact your current supervisor.
2. Transcripts: You must submit a copy of your college transcript from an accredited educational institution (unofficial is acceptable) or a list of coursework with hours completed. Prior to appointment, an official college transcript will be required. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
3. Enrollment: Official documentation from your school that verifies current or projected enrollment must be provided prior to appointment to the position. (Documents that show school enrollment in a previous semester do not provide evidence of current enrollment and therefore are not acceptable for this purpose).
4. Other supporting documents (only submit if applicable to you):
5. If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here. https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire
6. Are you claiming veterans' preference? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or notice form. Those applying for 10-Point preference must fill out the SF-15 and provide an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions.
7. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
i. Position title;
ii. Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
iii. Agency; and
iv. Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
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.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10880316 and submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below.
The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/12/2020.
PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail, email, or fax. If you need further assistance, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.
Interview Requirement: Interviews may be required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.
Agency Contact Information: Tamara Shelton (Tamara.Shelton@ice.dhs.gov) – 214-905-5594; Address: DRO Field OFC Houston, 126 Northpoint Drive, Houston, TX 77060
Next steps
Your application material will be assessed for your experience and training, the best qualified applicants will be identified, and referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. Your status will be emailed and updated on your USAJOBS account throughout the process. A selection is anticipated within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement. If selected, you will be subject to a suitability/security background investigation.
Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.