Summary The PALACE Acquire Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving. The program offers a 3-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases. Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval. Responsibilities GG-07 1. Performs mechanical engineering tasks of limited scope and difficulty which are screened by a higher-grade engineer. Some knowledge of work processes, and the capability to apply standard mechanical engineering practices, are required to directly apply varied rules, procedures and precedents to the assignments. 2.Performs mechanical engineering work of limited scope and complexity in support of projects assigned to higher grade engineers. Plans work procedures and selects standard practices and data to be applied to work projects and identified problems. 3. Uses engineering manuals, standard publications and technical material to obtain information and pertinent data to be used by higher level engineers, contractors and/or customers. 4. Keeps abreast of emerging technologies and professional developments to maintain current in the field and for application to work assignments uses computers/computer software such as analysis tools and project tracking programs to solve engineering problems and facilitate work. GG-09 1. Performs a variety of developmental duties designed to develop knowledge and skill in applying general engineering principles, methods and techniques. Performs general engineering tasks of limited scope and difficulty which are screened by a higher-grade engineer. 2. Performs regular and recurring assignments. Independently performs work assignments which gradually increase in difficulty and complexity. 3. Uses engineering manuals, standard publications and technical material to obtain information and pertinent data to be used by higher level engineers, contractors and/or customers. 4. Carries out special projects and assignments for higher-level general engineers, contractors and/or customers. Researches and utilizes a wide range of manuals, standard publications and technical material to obtain information, analyze data, and prepare reports. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:1. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2)include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. You may qualify if you meet one of the following: 1. GS-7: You must have completed or will complete a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in the following: a) Grade Point Average 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. 2. GS-9: You must have completed 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree: a) Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded, i.e. pass/fail, CLEP, CCAF, DANTES, military credit, etc. you cannot qualify based on GPA. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Professional knowledge of mechanical engineering policies, theories, principles and concepts, and familiarity with other engineering disciplines. 2. Knowledge of analysis, evaluation, fact-finding, and investigative techniques in order to gather data, identify significant factors, and recommend a solution from a number of possible alternatives. 3. Knowledge of the substantive nature of agency programs and activate to perform studies and prepare reports, briefings, documentation, and correspondence to communicate factual and procedural information clearly. 4. Skill in analyzing and applying the principles, concepts and practices of the occupation sufficient to perform difficult, but common assignments. 5. Ability to analyze, interpret and apply general engineering rules and procedures in a variety of situations and recommend effective solutions to senior engineers. 6. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers and management. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. 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 conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Additional Information Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.
