GAO Graduate Student Trainee (Interdisciplinary)
IMPORTANT NOTICE: In order for your application to be considered you must apply through USAjobs.gov. Also, while the announcement's closing date is listed as May, 5, it will close once 150 applications are received.
Duties
As a GAO intern, you will learn how to conduct federal audits and program evaluations and how to apply that knowledge as part of a team. You will assist GAO analysts and specialists in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical (including Computer Science) work in developing innovative analytical techniques in carrying out audits and evaluations, in planning and conducting in-depth reviews of federal programs, in collecting and analyzing appropriate data, and in presenting information (including developmental prototypes) both orally and in writing to diverse audiences. These internships are located in the Innovation Lab of the GAO that aim to meet Congress's growing need to understand the science and technology of the future.
Specific duties include:
- Completes assignments spanning functional areas designed to provide a broad experience in mathematics, data science, computer science, or statistics. Coordinates with higher-level professional staff, and receives on-the- job instruction/training.
- Participates in well-defined portions of the lifecycle of a data science prototype or analysis. Begins learning project management techniques.
- Conducts well-structured evaluations of methods to support valid and appropriate use in the creation of prototypes or analyses.
- Recommends modifications to approaches to better meet requirements.
- Assists senior staff to present information and prototypes in meetings with GAO and agency officials, as part of the team working on the project.
- Learn and use appropriate tools for assignments. Potential tools could include R, python, SQL, SAS, or STATA.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
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.
Students can work part-time or full-time
You must be currently enrolled and good standing in an accredited graduate 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: Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science or field directly related to the position; AND meet one of the following criteria:
- You have completed between 18 to 35 semester hours or 27 to 53 quarter hours of graduate level education; OR
- You 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: Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science or field directly related to the position; AND meet one of the following criteria:
- You have completed 36 or more semester hours or 54 or more quarter hours of graduate level education; OR
- You 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.