IT Intern

Virginia Spaceport Authority Internship Program gives students the chance to apply their education to real-world challenges through meaningful, hands-on projects.  Top candidates are well-rounded students from a variety of backgrounds who demonstrate inquisitiveness, team-orientation, excellence, and resilience. At the time you apply for this announcement, you must be a degree seeking student who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited educational institution on at least a half-time basis.

SUMMARY

General Description: The IT Intern will provide support for operations of the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (Virginia Spaceport Authority). The IT Intern, working with Virginia Spaceport IT staff will provide assistance to staff with access, tools and information needed to support operational processes and associated decision-making utilizing the systems and services administered by Information Services at VSA.

Responsibilities and Duties:  

1. For identified projects – participate in associated phases based upon associated timing including the evaluation, design, selection, implementation, installation, configuration, testing and/or on-going support of hardware, applications, and the latest Microsoft and Linux operating systems.
2. Assist with the resolution and documentation of support tickets logged to the Service Desk including end user configuration, desktop and/or network communications related issues.
3. Assists with the development of support and end user documentation to be utilized in operational support and training.
4. Utilize desktop and mobile device management tools to assist with the management of end user devices.
5. Assist with the support and maintenance of user and computer account information in Active Directory, including rights, security, and group membership.
6. Monitor system performance of both on-prem and hosted resources for problem resolution.
7. Other duties as applicable.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

General Education 

College: Current enrollment in an associate or bachelor’s degree program from an accredited college or university
Major: IT-related field

Job-Related Experience: N/A

Certifications: N/A

Licenses, etc.: Valid driver's license is necessary while operating a vehicle while on agency business. Must be able to transport themselves to MARS and its facilities (located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore near Wallops Island, VA). 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Knowledge: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret standard technical journals, technical reports, and legal documents.  Ability to effectively present information to team members and management. 

Ability to apply logical and technical principles in a wide range of intellectual and practical problems including log and configuration analysis.  Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

Skills: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies: 

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures. Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information to get others' attention. 
• Design - Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail. 
• Problem-Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem-solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics. 
• Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities. 
• Technical Skills - Assesses strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to build knowledge and skills continuously; Shares expertise with others. 
• Client Focus - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Response to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments. 
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things. 
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings. 
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information. 
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed. Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values. 
• Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust; mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates. 
• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results. 
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others. 
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. 
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values.  
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions. 
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals. 
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans. 
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments. 
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality. 
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly. 
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events. 
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time. 
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed. 
• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information to get others' attention.

Abilities:  Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing; work effectively with other agency staff and vendors; manage multiple tasks; consistently meet deadlines; participate in short and long-range planning for the agency in Information Technology – Networking and Security.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.   

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically in an office setting though may be required to support tasks in the field where they could be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The employee is frequently exposed to the risk of radiation and vibration.   

The noise level in the work environment is usually that of an office setting though when in the field may be loud.

Must be able to obtain and maintain eligibility for issuance of a NASA credential.

Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check and drug test.