Summary This position is part of DFAS's Pathways Program, for current students/individuals accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational program in an accredited institution, full or half-time basis. This is a PAID summer internship, running May - August. Applicants who indicate they meet the minimum qualifications will receive an email from assessments@USAHire.opm.gov to complete online assessments. Check your "Spam"/"Junk" folders. See below for more information! Responsibilities As an Information and Technology Student Trainee, you will do some or all of the following: Perform a variety of assignments involving the practical application of information technology (IT) (APPSW) basic concepts, principles, procedures, processes and regulations. Specialization to include software development life-cycle principles and agile software development concepts. Assists senior staff members in the collection and analysis of data. Participates in a variety of projects utilizing basic computer skills to provide assistance in evaluating requirements and procedures, assisting with the preparation of technical reports and interacting with senior program officials. Assist in the preparation of recurring and special reports. All other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications This announcement will be used to fill positions at multiple locations. The following are preferred degree categories: Software Engineering Software Development Computer Engineering Computer Science Cyber Security Informatics Information Assurance Information Science Information Security Management Information Systems Management Information Technology NOTE: The degree does not have to be related to the position/series to participate in the internship. However, to be eligible for a conversion, candidate must meet the agency-developed or OPM qualification standards for the position to which the Intern MAY be converted. In addition to meeting the above requirement, applicants must meet one of the following minimum qualifications: A. Two years of successfully completed education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation, or the equivalent, is a prerequisite may be substituted to meet the general experience required. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.NOTE: If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You MUST submit a copy of your transcript if you want to substitute your education for experience. If you claim qualifications based on education, and do not submit a transcript, your education will not be used in making a qualification determination and you may be found "not qualified". OR B. One year of generalized experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. General experience is defined as: 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. 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION ELIGIBILITY: Upon successful completion of their academic program and the internship program, interns may be converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service consistent with agency needs, academic achievement, and demonstrated potential. Conversion potential for this opportunity is up to the {GS-11} full performance level. However, future budgetary events, hiring restrictions, conversion caps, or other events may preclude the conversion or conversion to a position with the full potential performance level. Individuals converted to a position in the competitive service may be subjected to participation in an agency formal development program. Education Requirements: Enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment as a full-time or half-time (Half-time basis is defined by the academic institution that the student is enrolled or accepted into) student into an accredited college or university in a qualifying degree-seeking program, or enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment in a qualifying certificate program; Qualifying education must be conferred or awarded by the closing date of this announcement. Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) at time of application and must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA throughout the entire Pathways Student Trainee Internship appointment to remain in the Program; Applicants MUST submit a transcript or proof of enrollment with the online application (see Required Documents for additional details). Please note that if you are graduating from your current academic program prior to September 2026, you will not be eligible for this student appointment unless you are accepted for enrollment at a qualifying educational institution seeking an ADDITIONAL qualifying degree, diploma, certificate, etc., OR an advanced degree. You MUST submit proof of acceptance along with your current transcripts for consideration. If selected, must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement; be able to furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and be able to provide verification of academic status (official transcript) at the end of each academic term. Undergraduate Credit Information: 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is equal to 1 academic year above high school. 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. You MUST submit a copy of your transcript if you want to substitute your education for experience. If you claim qualifications based on education, and do not submit a transcript, your education will not be used in making a qualification determination and you may be found "not qualified". You may need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence at the time of application. Late submissions of proof of accreditation will not be accepted. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials. Additional Information Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment. Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need. This internship opportunity will not start until May 2026 or later. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here. Individuals selected from this vacancy announcement will work a full-time work schedule for at least eight weeks between the months of May through September. Upon completion of the summer internship period individuals will be placed on leave without pay (LWOP) until completion of their academic program or until they are returned to duty for another period of internship. Based upon organizational need, availability of funding, student availability, and the student's academic schedule, individuals may be returned to duty for short durations during breaks in school (i.e. Fall, Winter, or Spring Break) or part-time employment throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, so long as their work schedule does not interfere with their academic requirements and schedule. Individuals selected from this vacancy announcement may be offered the opportunity to work a part-time or full-time work schedule prior to May, if funding is available. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date. A trial period may be required This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. This position is covered by a bargaining unit. Applications will be accepted for the open period as stated above. Multiple cut-off dates may be used. Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications early. Management reserves the right to close this job announcement early based upon volume of applications received or changes in organizational needs. PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION ELIGIBILITY: Upon successful completion of their academic program and the internship program, interns may be converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service consistent with agency needs, academic achievement, and demonstrated potential. Conversion potential for this opportunity is up to the GS-11 full performance level. However, future budgetary events, hiring restrictions, or other events may preclude the conversion. Individuals converted may be subject to participation in an additional year of training as part of an agency formal development program.
