Student Trainee (Psychology)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs invites applications for a Student Trainee (Psychology) in the Pathways Internship Program in Cincinnati. The position emphasizes data processing, analysis, research, and communicating findings with actionable recommendations for organizational stakeholders.

Eligibility requires enrollment in a qualifying program, with a selective placement factor of R data analysis. Graduate education or a master's degree can substitute for experience; a combination path is

Qualifications

• Selective Placement Factor requires experience performing statistical data analysis and familiarity with using R software.
• Specialized Experience is one year at GS-07 level with experience applying statistical/analytical methods to data trends and survey data interpretation.
• Education option allows substitution of two graduate academic years or a Master's degree in psychology or related field.
• Combination option permits mix of education and experience beyond 1 year of graduate-level study.

Responsibilities

• Perform organizational data processing and data analysis to support research efforts.
• Summarize and communicate data findings with actionable recommendations for stakeholders.
• Translate data insights into technical and non-technical briefings for leadership.

Skills

Statistical data analysis

R software

Education

Graduate-level education (2 years) or Master’s degree

Job description

The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. The Student Trainee (Psychology) is assigned to the Office of the National Center for Organization Development. The Student Trainee performs a variety of functions centered around organizational data processing, data analysis, research, as well as summarizing and communicating data findings and translating them into recommendations for organizational stakeholders. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/20/2026.

Internship Program

To be eligible, applicants must be accepted for enrollment or currently 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 you are enrolled.

Selective Placement Factor

This position includes a skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to -and essential for- satisfactory performance of the job. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Evidence of the Selective Placement Factor must be reflected in your resume.

The selective placement factor for this position is experience performing statistical data analysis and familiarity with using R software to work with data.

AND

Specialized Experience

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-07, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience applying statistical and analytical (quantitative) methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning trends in data; and experience applying data-processing skills to survey data and interpreting the results.

OR

Education

Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed 2 full academic years of graduate level education or a master’s degree or related equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D. Course studies must be in an appropriate social or biological science or psychology.

OR

Combination

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 year of graduate-level education.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

• Technology Application
• Research
• Data Management

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note

A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Physical Requirements

The work is primarily sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform portions of the work. However, there is periodic walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.