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Home : Home : Warfare Centers : NSWC Dahlgren : XX_Career Opportunities_old : Student Opportunities : Science and Engineering Internship Opportunities

STEM Student Employment Program (SSEP)
Provides direct hire authority for undergraduate and graduate degree seeking students enrolled in scientific, technical, engineering, or mathematics majors. The program was established to provide interns with exposure to public service, enhance educational experience, and possibly provide financial aid to support educational goals. Additionally, this program will provide a streamlined and accelerated hiring process to compete successfully with private industry for high-quality scientific, technical, engineering, or mathematics students for filling scientific and engineering positions.

Qualifying Requirements:

  • Must be a US citizen
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Must be in  a degree-seeking student pursuing a Bachelor’s or Graduate level degree
  • For all engineering majors, must be enrolled at a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Must be taking at least a half-time academic course load as defined by the school in which you attend
  • Must be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

Program Requirements:

  • Must be able to meet the 640 hours (16 weeks) work requirement prior to graduation
  • Must remain in a STEM course of study at an institution of higher education for the duration of the program
  • Students seeking an associate’s degree, academic criteria must be transferable to a four-year college or university, and student must intend upon completion of the associate’s degree to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree

Program Highlights:

  • Paid Internship
  • Provides an opportunity to gain work experience directly related to an academic field of study
  • Eligible for tuition assistance (50% Tuition only and $400 book allowance per semester)
  • Travel between duty station and school may be authorized according to NSWCDD policy and the availability of funds
  • Eligible for all benefits (Annual Leave and Sick Leave, 401k, Life and Health)
  • Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service

Initial Pay Setting:  Students will be appointment at the grade/band level consistent with their academic progress

 

DEMO PP/GR

Salary equivalent

Level of Education

ND-01

GS-02 step 10

Completion of high school or GED diploma (29 credit hrs. completed or less)

ND-01

GS-03 step 10

Completion of 1 full academic year of post-high school study (30-59 credit hrs. completed)

ND-01

GS-04 step 10

Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school student or an associate's degree (60+ credit hrs. completed)

ND-02

GS-05 step 10

Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's or equivalent degree (120 credit hrs. completed)

ND-02

Default starting salary of the applicable ND-02 series for a new hire

Completion of a bachelor's degree, with acceptance to or currently enrolled in a Master's program

ND-03

Default starting salary of the applicable ND-03 series for a new hire

Completion of a master's degree, with acceptance to or currently enrolled in a PhD program

 

Salary Increases:  Students may receive pay adjustments or be promoted based on academic progress at management discretion.

Work Schedules:

  • Students are required to be in a work status during each summer break from school until graduation, unless pre-approved
  • Students are not required to, but have the option to, work during all official breaks from school and scheduled work rotations outside of summers
  • Each work experience must be consistent with the student’s academic studies or career goals and designed to meet the minimum work requirement of 16 weeks (640 hours) of study-related work experience required for conversion
  • It is NSWCDD policy that work schedules will not interfere with academic coursework
  • Work schedules may be full or part-time at the discretion of the supervisor

Continued Service Agreement:

  • Students accepting tuition assistance must sign the Division’s Continued Service Agreement and agree to continue in service for a period equal to the length of the training for which tuition was received
  • The service obligation does not begin until after support is received and after successful completion of the degree program
  • Failure to fulfill the continued service obligation will result in having to reimburse NSWCDD for the amount of the tuition that reflects the unfulfilled portion of the service agreement.
  • In the event NSWCDD is unable to convert the student due to administrative reasons (budget constraints, lack of work), the student will not be held liable for the financial assistance received and will voluntarily resign or be terminated

Work Requirement Waiver: Students may be evaluated, and be considered for a grant for up to one half (320 hours) of the work requirement if the student is unable to met the minimum work requirement for the program.  Waiver requirement based on, if the student:

  • had a previous formal internship directly related to the mission of the Division; 
  • has superior academic achievement (i.e. a 3.5 cumulative GPA or better); 
  • has military experience directly related to the mission of the Division, etc.

Relocation Incentive:
Students may be entitled to reimbursement of personal travel expenses and for shipment of household goods through First Duty Travel at time of conversion to a permanent position. 

 

How to Apply:

Applications are accepted year-round. Interested applicants should submit their resume and transcripts here: https://navsea.recsolu.com/external/events/CY0eZOjCVr4WEkP180FZLw In your profile please indicate which location(s) you are interested in - Dahlgren, VA or CDSA, Virginia Beach, VA. *Please note this is not an actual event.