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.
Duties
GS Series 0801/0806/0830/0840/0850/0854/0855/0861/0893/0896 Performs (general, material, computer, mechanical, electrical, electronics, aerospace) engineering tasks of limited scope and difficulty which are screened by a higher-grade engineer. Performs general engineering work of limited scope and complexity in support of projects assigned to higher grade engineers. 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. Keep abreast of emerging technologies and professional development to maintain current in the field and for application to work assignments. GS Series 0858 Uses professional knowledge of biomedical engineering to perform difficult, but well-precedented assignments which are normally minor phases of a broader project assigned to a higher-grade engineer. Participates with senior personnel in planning, monitoring, and conducting special studies, projects, and initiatives. uses computer/computer software such as information management programs, computer aided design and drafting (CADD) programs, and tracking programs to assist senior personnel in solving engineering or scientific problems and facilitate the work. Uses engineering manuals, standards publications and technical material to obtain information and pertinent data to be used by higher level engineers, contractors and/or customers.
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENTS for GS-7 and GS-9: Degree: Professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; 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 a 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor's from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) or one of the following: a) Class Standing - upper third of the graduating class based on completed courses in the college, university, or major subdivision; b) 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; c) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society (note: freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this position). (If qualifying based on class standing or honor society membership, provide appropriate documentation). OR 2. You have one full year (18 semester hours or the equivalent) of graduate level study, or possess a master's or higher degree, e.g., LL.B., J.D., LL.M., Ph.D., in a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of this position. Such fields include business administration, industrial management, industrial engineering, industrial psychology, public administration, political science, or government.(Submit copy of transcripts). 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 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: GS series 0801/0806/0830/0840/0850/0854/0855/0861/0893/0896 Performs general 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 general engineering practices, required to directly apply varied rules, procedures and precedents to the assignments. Performs 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. Uses accepted engineering work processes to search for information to bear on a problem and recognizes situations which may require referral to others. Uses engineering manuals, standard publications and technical material to obtain information pertinent data to be used by higher level engineers, contractors and /or customers. 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. GS series 0858 Professional knowledge of biomedical engineering concept, theories, and principles and standard engineering practices, methods, and techniques to perform difficult, but well-precedented assignments which are normally minor phases of a larger project. Knowledge of automated technology and practices used to prepare engineering designs/drawings. Skill in analyzing problems, identifying significant factors, gathering and interpreting pertinent data, and applying established rules and procedures in order to recommend solutions. Skill in gathering and interpreting pertinent data, preparing recommendations, and making calculations by applying standard formulas; preparing graphs, curves, or tables; and recording factual data or information from studies. 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. Ability to learn and apply analytical investigate techniques to accomplish work in the subject-matter field. 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency of the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency if the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
This position has an education requirement. You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html Please submit copies of all Transcripts to include Transferred hours - Official copies are not required at time of application. If selected, you will be required to provide official copies of all Transcripts. *NOTE*Degree Audits are not accepted. If you qualify based on undergraduate education and you have not graduated prior to applying to this position. You may be offered a position contingent upon your final grade point average or class ranking. IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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.
How to apply
To receive further consideration, YOU MUST log in to https://afciviliancareers.com/recentgraduates and select the Palace Acquire (PAQ)/Copper Cap (COP) link at the bottom. Once there, select the "Apply Now" button. You will be directed to Hire Vue to begin your application.
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2027.
To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13050750
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume.
2. A complete Application Questionnaire
3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.
4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
Applicants will be evaluated based on the materials and assessments required for the position. This may include:
Responses to the Hire Vue interview
Hire Vue assessments
Review of transcripts and supporting documents
Resume review
If you are minimally qualified for this job, you will be placed into one of three pre-defined quality categories based on your application. These categories are Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. Your qualifications will be evaluated on competencies including, but not limited to:
Communication
Willingness to learn
Problem Solving
Planning and Prioritization
Cognitive Ability
Conscientiousness
From Air Force Civilian Career Training's public posting, laid out for reading by newgrad.ai with the wording unchanged. Check the original before you apply.
