Vets 2 Feds Career Development Program (Contract Trainee)
Open Period Extended! Apply by July 20, 2011
- Are you searching for a career?
- Do you want more than just a job?
- Are you using your VA or other educational benefits?
- Do you want to continue to serve your country?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we may have a career for you!
The Vets to Feds (V2F) Career Development Program for Student Trainee (Contracting) is sponsored by the Interagency Council on Veterans Employment. This new program is designed to recruit and support the development of our Nation's Student Veterans for careers with the Federal Government. The program will offer you the opportunity to pursue valuable experience related to the contracting career field while pursuing your education. Trainees who complete the program will transition into Federal Contract Specialist positions โ one of the Government's most mission critical positions.
This rigorous paid program includes:
- Formal and informal training
- Challenging work assignments
- Potential for accelerated promotions
If you are selected for this opportunity you:
- Can earn a full-time starting salary of $21,840 or $24,518
- Have the potential of earning up to $65,000, depending on location
- Are entitled to a benefits package including paid vacation, sick leave, health and life insurance, a retirement plan, a 401k equivalent plan, and paid federal holidays
A PRODUCT OF THE PRESIDENT'S VETERANS EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE
Equal Opportunity Employer
To review the Job Opportunity announcement and how to apply, Qualified individuals follow this link.
Program Application and Overview
Overview
The Vets to Feds (V2F) Career Development Program in Contracting will allow student veterans to continue to perform valuable service to the American people while jump-starting their civilian Federal careers, and get full salary and benefits as well as challenging assignments, formal professional/technical training and certifications.
Contracts are the principal method for obtaining supplies and services from the private sector. Student Trainees will support the purchasing, renting, leasing, or otherwise obtaining supplies or services to support the mission of the respective Federal agency.
Series & Grade: GS-1199-03/04 ($21,840.00 - $24,518.00 /year)
Duty Locations: The positions are located in various locations across the United States. This announcement is designed to establish a list of candidates to fill the positions available with this internship program. Candidates may select up to 5 locations from which to be considered. See Job Announcement for specific locations.
Open Period: July 6, 2011 to July 20, 2011
Key Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree student (See Qualifications Requirements)
- Relocation expenses will not be paid
- Ability to pass and maintain a background investigation
Major Duties:
Trainees in contracting will assist in collaborating with program and technical managers trusted with key projects. Trainees will also work with other agencies and private sector contractors and will perform duties preparing them for the GS-1102 Contract Specialist series such as:
- Working with customers to identify their needs
- Learning to write basic requests for proposals for services and supplies
- Assisting in the evaluation of bids or proposals
- Assisting in the purchase of services, supplies, equipment or other items
- Monitoring contracts
Qualifications:
In order to qualify candidates must meet the program requirements and educational requirements listed below.
Program Requirements:
- Be enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment as a full-time or part-time student into an accredited college or university* in a degree seeking program in a related field (See Education Requirements).
- Must be in good academic standing.
- If selected, must sign student career experience program agreement; furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and provide verification of academic status (transcript) at the end of each academic term.
- Must be able to complete required occupation related work experience (640 hours) prior to or concurrently with the completion of course requirements for the degree.
* Institutions located within the United States that have attained accreditation are listed on the U.S. Department of Education web site at http://www.ed.gov. A complete listing of all institutions, including those located outside of U.S. territories, may be found in Accredited Institutions of Post-Secondary Education, a handbook published annually by the American Council on Education (ACE).
Education Requirements:
In addition to the program requirements listed above candidates must meet the minimum education requirements to qualify for the 1199 series either at the GS-03 or GS-04 level (The required education MUST LEAD TO A TWO or FOUR YEAR DEGREE with specialization in or directly related to accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management):
GS-03: Completion of 1 academic year of post-high school study (MUST SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS โ an official transcript or a copy).
GS-04: Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree (MUST SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS โ an official transcript or a copy).
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. For further information, click on foreign education.
All qualification requirements must be met by midnight (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
Program Criteria:
Candidates selected for the V2F Career Development Program in Contracting will be hired under the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP).
The SCEP provides work experience which is directly related to the trainee's academic program and career goals.
Trainees may be noncompetitively converted to permanent, career or career-conditional appointments following completion of their academic and work experience requirements.
Program Duration:
The timeframe allotted to complete the program will vary by the trainee and agency. The total program length will be coordinated and agreed to by the trainee, the college/university, and his/her supervisor with input from a mentor and the agency's program manager/point of contact.
How You Will Be Evaluated
See Job Announcement
Benefits
Federal government employees enjoy some of the best employment benefits. As a V2F Career Development Program participant, you will be eligible for the same benefits as other Federal employees. These include annual leave and sick leave, a variety of health insurance options, life insurance, Thrift Savings Plan (government version of a 401(k)), flexible spending accounts, and more. Some agencies also provide additional benefits like transit subsidies, tele-work, flexible work schedules and more.
To find out more about Federal benefits, visit these sites:
Other Information
Veterans' Preference: For more information on veterans' preference, click on: Veterans' Preference Information
Selective Service: The Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that all male applicants born after 12/31/59 who are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, be registered or they are not eligible for appointment to this position. For further information concerning Selective Service requirements, please visit http://www.sss.gov/.
How To Apply:
To review the Job Opportunity Announcement and how to apply, Qualified individuals follow this link.
EEO Policy Statement: http://www.usajobs.gov/eeo
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement: http://www.usajobs.gov/raps
Once On-Board
Program Orientation:
Trainees will attend an orientation program conducted by OPM in the Washington, DC metro area. This orientation will provide detailed information about program preparations, requirements and guidelines. During orientation, trainees will attend and participate in several specialized briefings and workshops facilitated by agency acquisition leaders and other industry professionals which are specifically designed to smooth the transition into the internship program and Federal service.
Training & Development:
Each trainee will be required to complete entry-level academic courses, training and development requirements for entry into the GS-1102, Contract Specialist career field. Training requirements consist of academic, technical, and professional training.
Trainees will be provided with an Individual Development Plan (IDP) and complete any applicable academic curriculum requirements (this will vary based on employment agency). The IDP will serve as a roadmap providing a planning process that identifies both professional development needs and career objectives. This IDP will also serve as a communication tool between trainees, their supervisors, trainers and mentors throughout the entire training and developmental phase. As part of the developmental stage, trainees will be required to complete several short-term career-broadening acquisition-related, on-the-job training or shadowing assignments. If feasible, inter-agency rotational assignments will be allowed on a case-by-case basis. These assignments will give the trainees hands-on experience as they progress through the program. Completion of requirements will vary based upon the qualifications prior to entry into the program.
Upon completion of SCEP requirements, the trainee may be converted to a GS-1102, Contracting Specialist (GS-05/07) level position*. Prior to conversion, trainees are required to complete 24 semester hours in business courses. Trainee will then be required to complete the specified Federal Acquisition Certificate in Contracting (FAC-C) Level I & II or the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements for training and certification for the contracting career field.
* DoD requires a four year Baccalaureate degree (Any Field of Study) AND have completed at least 24 semester credit hours in any of the following disciplines: accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management in order to convert from the 1199 series to the 1102 series.
Promotions:
While part of the V2Fs Career Development Program in Contracting, you may become eligible for promotion. Eligibility for promotion will be determined by the policies and criteria adopted by your employing agency for the V2F Career Development Program in Contracting, which may differ from the policies and criteria that apply to other positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are students eligible for benefits?
A. Students in the Student Career Experience Program are eligible for both health and life insurance coverage as long as they are expected to be employed under this appointment authority for at least one year and are expected to be in a pay status for at least one-third of the total period of time from the date of their initial appointment to the date of the completion of the program. Cost of premiums is split between the employee and the agency, as for all permanent employees. Students also earn annual and sick leave.
Students with less than 5 years of prior civilian service are generally covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System.
Q. What type of military experience is creditable towards the 640 hours required for conversion?
A. Agencies may credit up to 320 hours for any type of active duty military service (including active duty for training) performed by a SCEP student as long as the active duty service is related to the SCEP position, as determined by the agency.
Q. I lost my DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, how can I obtain a copy?
A. A copy of the DD-214 and other military service records can be obtained from the National Archives. Visit http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html for additional information.
Q. Will the rotational assignments be at the same location?
A. Rotational assignments will vary depending from agency to agency.
Q. What type of degree seeking programs are required for the V2F in Contracting?
A. A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in any field; or 24 semester hours in any combination of the following fields: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management (24 Semester hours are mandatory for Department of Defense Positions)
Q. How many days does it take to complete the program phases?
A. Completion of the program phases will vary from employee to employee, depending upon completion of college courses and on-the-job training.
Q. How long do I have to complete my degree or the 24 business credits?
A. It will vary depending upon your course workload and work schedule.
Q. What is the minimum requirement to stay in the program?
A. You must stay enrolled as degree seeking student, be in good academic standing and cannot be on academic probation.
Q. What happens after I complete the entire academic and program requirements?
A. Upon completion you may be converted to a position that has an established career ladder. For instance, a SCEP GS-1199-04 Business Student Trainee may be non-competitively converted to a GS-1102 -05/07/09/11 Contract Specialist career ladder position. See 5 CFR ยง 213.3202(b)(11).