USAJOBS Is Hiring A Student Trainee (Foreign Affairs)

Duties

As a Student Trainee (DRL/NEA) Foreign Affairs: GS-0199-04:

Intern for DRL/NEA. This position is located in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), Office of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA). The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) is tasked with designing and implementing policies that promote and support democracy, human rights, and labor rights throughout the world. DRL/NEA supports the DRL Front Office and the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights (J).

Intern will contribute directly to the work of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) to advance human rights in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This will include conducting research and analysis on internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights and human rights practices by governments and non-state actors in the MENA region. Participants will analyze and compile information, working directly with Department of State policy officers to draft and edit documents including policy and background papers, briefing materials for principals, Human Rights Reports, databases, and/or analysis of human rights-related developments in MENA countries.

Strong candidates should have an understanding of Middle East history/politics and be self-driven and able to conduct research independently. A general understanding of human rights concerns, including the rule of law and freedoms of speech, expression, and assembly, is also useful. Applicants must demonstrate sound judgement and will be relied upon to determine the credibility of information and the trustworthiness of sources. Familiarity with the work of international and local human rights NGOs would also be beneficial. Candidates should be proficient with Microsoft Word and/or Google Docs. Arabic, French, Farsi, or Hebrew language skills can be helpful as information is often found in non-English sources.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Eligibility Requirements

• A U.S. Citizen;
• 16 years or older by the closing date of this announcement;
• Enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment as a full-time or half-time student into an accredited college or university in a degree-seeking program, or enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment in a certificate program;
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 at time of application and must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA throughout the entire Pathways Internship appointment; and
• Degree does not have to be related to the position/series; however to be eligible, candidate must meet the agency-developed or OPM qualification standards for the position to which the Intern may be converted.

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see U.S. Department of Education . 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.

Qualifications

GS-04: Completion of 2 full academic years (60 credits) of post-high school study or associate's degree. AND be currently accepted to/enrolled in a qualifying degree or certificate program.

Education

An individual who needs to complete less than the equivalent of half an academic/vocational or technical course-load immediately prior to graduating is still considered a student for the purposes of this Program.

The Pathways Internship Program targets students accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled in a qualifying educational program in an accredited institution, on a full or half-time basis with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school.

Applicants must meet the definition of "student" in order to be considered for this opportunity.

At the successful conclusion of the program, interns may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a Federal career or career-conditional position in the competitive service.

Conversions to the competitive service are not guaranteed.

Pathways candidates must meet the DOS qualification standards applicable to the position being filled. All applicants must meet the qualifications by the closing date of this announcement.

Cumulative GPA of 2.0 at time of application and must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA throughout the entire Pathways Internship appointment;

Degree does not have to be related to the position/series; however to be eligible, candidate must meet the OPM qualification standards for the position to which the Intern may be converted.

Certificate Requirements

Undergraduate certificates must contain a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours.

Graduate certificates must contain a minimum of 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours.

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.

The Department of State no longer accepts certificates that are credited with Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

Student means an individual accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled), including awardees of the Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship Program under Public Law 93-842. Students need not be in actual physical attendance, so long as all other requirements are met. An individual who needs to complete less than the equivalent of half an academic/vocational or technical course-load immediately prior to graduating is still considered a student for purposes of this Program.

Additional Information

Pathways Internship Experience Program (IEP) appointments are made on a non-temporary basis.

Further information on Conversion to the Competitive Service can be found by clicking here .

The U.S. Department of State is not obligated to make an offer of employment, nor is the student obligated to accept an offer of employment.

SELECTIVE SERVICE - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify prior to appointment that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION - This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or OAA@state.gov . The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. You are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application package. Your application may not get full consideration if you do not follow the instructions as outlined.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER - Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) - U.S. law requires organizations to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee's information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.

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