Summer Graduate Physical Science Internship

Summary

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. We accomplish our mission by providing objective and reliable information and analysis to the Congress, to federal agencies, and to the public, and recommending improvements, when appropriate, on a wide variety of issues to make government work better.

This vacancy is for Summer internship positions. The anticipated start dates begin in May / June 2025.

Applications will close either on 4/23/2025 or when the first 50 applications are submitted. 

Duties

As an intern, you will assist with the execution of engagements related to science and technology issues, including data collection and analysis, message conceptualization, and developing and drafting findings, in accordance with professional standards and GAO Quality Assurance Standards.

The work assignments may involve any of the following tasks (described at the highest level):
 

• Supports the execution of science and technology engagements including performance audits, technology assessments, and Comptroller General forums and roundtables, particularly those related to the physical science disciplines, including chemistry, geology, nuclear energy, physics, space sciences, meteorology, and oceanography.
• Conducts background research on the subject matter; prepares and organizes relevant documentation; gathers data and analyses from a variety of sources, develops interview questions and takes thorough interview notes; and evaluates engagement-related documentation to make logical inferences and draw accurate conclusions.
• Prepares written summaries and produces other written products that effectively summarize key information.
• Participates in defined portions of the engagement, including developing the study design; conducting background research on scientific subject matter; preparing and organizing documentation; and data gathering and analysis from a variety of sources.
• Conducts interviews to gather and document appropriate information. Communicates relevant information to agency officials, team members, and internal stakeholders during formal and informal presentations and meetings.
• Conducts structured qualitative and/or quantitative analyses of the engagement research data, responses received from interviewees, and other evidence that has been collected from various sources.
• Prepares written summaries of interviews and analyses and produce reports and other written products that effectively communicate information and findings.
• Assists senior staff to present information in meetings with GAO and agency officials, as part of the team working on the project.
• Presents information in meetings and begins learning project management techniques.
• Uses appropriate tools for assignments. Potential tools could include the document management system, Excel, Outlook, and various tools for qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Selective Service registration if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959. Visit http://www.sss.gov.
• You will be subject to a background investigation/ suitability determination.
• Student must work a minimum of 400 hours, not to exceed a total of 640 hours.
• You must be currently enrolled and good standing in an accredited degree program throughout the duration of the internship.

Qualifications

All qualification requirements must be met by the start of the internship.

To qualify for the GS-7 level you MUST be enrolled in a graduate or equivalent degree seeking program majoring in physical science; AND meet one of the following criteria:

1. You must have completed 1 full academic year of graduate level education (between 18 to 35 semester hours or 27 to 53 quarter hours of graduate level education); OR
2. You must possess a Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (defined below).

Superior Academic Achievement: Superior academic achievement (SAA) recognizes individuals who have achieved superior academic standing. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of: a 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

To qualify for the GS-9 level you MUST be enrolled in a graduate or equivalent degree seeking program majoring in physical science; AND meet one of the following criteria:

1. You must have completed 2 academic years of graduate level education (36 or more semester hours or 54 or more quarter hours of graduate level education); OR
2. You must possess a Master's Degree or equivalent Graduate Degree.

NOTE: You must be a current student enrolled in a graduate program seeking a degree from an accredited educational institution on a full or half-time basis. If at any point during the internship (and for any reason) your status as a student changes to that of a non-student, your internship will be terminated.

Education

General Physical Science Series

Basic Requirements:

1. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

or

1. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

All applicants must submit their academic transcripts in order to be eligible. The transcripts may be unofficial or official and must show your status as a student, as well as support your educational claim.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog
 

Additional information

This position is not in the bargaining unit.

This position does not have promotion potential.

The anticipated start date is May / June 2025. The work schedule will be Full-time, 40 hours per week.

Appointments for student intern positions are non-permanent and generally last from 10 to 16 weeks. Student interns may have an opportunity for a permanent or term position based on a successful intern experience (completion of a minimum of 400 hours of work, not to exceed a total of 640 hours) and successful completion of degree requirements. The ability to convert to a permanent or term appointment with a minimum 400 hours of work experience is contingent upon budgetary conditions and staffing needs at the time of eligibility.

Pay will be set consistent with the hourly rate for the location the position is filled in:

Atlanta, GA - GS-7 $25.31; GS-9 $30.97
Dallas, TX - GS-7 $26.02; GS-9 $31.83
Denver, CO - GS-7 $26.69; GS-9 $32.65
Seattle, WA - GS-7 $26.91; GS-9 $32.91
Washington, DC - GS-7 $27.39; GS-9 $33.50
Boston, MA - GS-7 $27.11; GS-9 $33.16
Oakland, CA - GS-7 $29.93; GS-9 $36.61
Huntsville, AL - GS-7 $24.93; GS-9 $30.49

Applicants who are selected for this position will be required to provide an official transcript on the day of your orientation or within 3 business days after orientation. This transcript must show that you meet the education requirements for the GS-7 or GS-9 grade level, and that you are currently enrolled through at least August 2025. Failure to meet the requirements or provide the transcript will result in termination of your internship.

Based on the staffing needs, additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid for by the GAO.

Selectees will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. If selected, at the time of appointment, selectees will be required to update the OF-306.

GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees (and interns) with disabilities. To request an accommodation, please email ReasonableAccommodations@gao.gov.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job. If you meet all of the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. All applicants will be rated based on their responses to the assessment questions and the essay question. Please make sure that your responses to the assessment questions are supported in your resume. Follow all instructions carefully as incomplete answers, errors, or omissions may affect your rating. Your rating will be invalid if you fail to include a narrative reply to any assessment question(s) that requires further explanation or your reply is "see resume."

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

 

• Oral Communication
• Self-Management
• Teamwork
• Technical Competence

Veterans' preference applies to this vacancy. The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. For more information regarding veterans' preference please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/

To preview vacancy questions, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12721728

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete application package which includes:

RESUME: Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional). Your resume must show the work schedule and hours worked per week as well as dates of employment.

TRANSCRIPTS: You must submit your graduate and/or undergraduate college or university transcripts (official or unofficial) that support the semester/quarters number of hours completed and/or degree conferred.

Graduate Students - If you are completing your first graduate degree and have been accepted into a graduate program to pursue a 2nd graduate degree and do not yet have a transcript, you must submit proof of acceptance/enrollment into your new graduate program, along with the transcripts from your current graduate program.

PROOF OF ENROLLMENT: Current proof of enrollment (i.e., transcript showing coursework through Spring/Summer 2025, copy of registered courses for Spring/Summer 2025 OR a letter from school registrar's office confirming enrollment status for the duration of the internship). Note, a letter of acceptance does not qualify as proof of enrollment..

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.

If you fail to submit any of the documentation listed above your application will be considered incomplete, and will result in loss of consideration.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

- Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email.

Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. Applicants who are determined to be "best-qualified" may be contacted for an interview.

GAO may contact applicants to determine the most appropriate method for conducting the virtual interview. If you do not meet the key requirements, basic qualifications or fail to submit all required application materials, your application will not be considered.

You can check the status of your application at any time through your personal USAJOBS account.