The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has worked in the Middle East and Africa since the early 1950s. The Corps’ Transatlantic Programs Center, a 350-member team, accomplishes a critical role in meeting our nation’s engineering needs abroad.

Headquartered in Winchester, Virginia, the Center has several field offices throughout the Arabian Gulf region. The organization designs and builds facilities for deployed U.S. forces, other U.S. government agencies, and friendly foreign defense agencies in the Middle East, Africa, and other areas as needed. The work runs the gamut from design and construction of air, land, and sea bases, to providing technical assistance for small projects that meet basic humanitarian needs.

Transatlantic Programs Center personnel also work closely with Corps of Engineers offices in Iraq and Afghanistan. These missions provide facilities for our troops as well as aid the Iraq and Afghan populations in their reconstruction efforts.

The Transatlantic Programs Center has a diverse workforce made up of 10 nationalities of highly skilled engineers, other professionals, and support staff. Employees participate in teams, for activities ranging from managing a multi-million program to carrying out a one-time, specific action. Many of our team members have received recognition for the excellence of their work.

Entry-level or developmental programs are available for those new to the federal government.

An internship is a full-time, entry-level, permanent position that generally lasts for two years and includes on-the-job training and specific training courses. Each intern position specifies the qualifications required, including education and experience. Internships may be in the fields of engineering, architecture, contracting, information technology, auditing, accounting, and other areas. Engineering and architecture interns usually spend three months at one of our overseas locations. At the conclusion of the internship, the intern is placed in a permanent position within the Transatlantic Programs Center or the Department of Army, commensurate with his or her training and experience.

The Center also has developmental positions that have formal training plans and duty assignments to meet progressive responsibilities. Available jobs may include legal assistants, engineering technicians, program analysts, and management analysts.

Periodically, the Transatlantic Programs Center restructures positions to create upward mobility opportunities. These positions are restructured to the entry or intermediate grade level with a final target grade. In addition, the Center periodically has positions open for students.

The Student Education Employment Program is a flexible program that serves as a critical tool to assist agencies in attracting and recruiting students to meet employment needs. The program consists of two components: Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP).  These programs are available to students pursuing any of the following educational programs:

• High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
• Vocational/Technical Certificate
• Associate Degree
• Baccalaureate Degree
• Graduate Degree
• Professional Degree

Students participating in the Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship Program under the provision of Public Law 93-842 are eligible for appointments under the Student Career Experience Program. The Programs are year-round programs and appointments may be made at any time during the year, including summer. Students may work full-time or part-time schedules. There are no limitations on the number of hours a student can work per week, but it should not interfere with the academic schedule.

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
This component offers students valuable work experience directly related to their academic field of study. It provides formal periods of work and study while they are attending school. It requires a commitment by the student, their school, and the employing Federal agency.  Students in SCEP may be noncompetitively converted in any Federal agency to permanent employment under this component after successfully completing their education and meeting 640 hours of work experience.
Students may continue on the appointment for 120 days beyond the date of completing their work and academic requirements. At the end of the 120-days, if the graduate has not been converted to a permanent position in the competitive service, he/she must be separated.

Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)

Job opportunities under this component offer students temporary employment. Employment can range from summer jobs to positions that can last for as long as you are a student. These employment opportunities need not necessarily be related to your academic field of study. Students may not be retained beyond graduation (May or December). Necessary steps must be taken to make a NEW appointment, if the student is to be retained. Students may be converted to the Student Career Experience Program when requirements of that program are met and an appropriate position is available.
Once a student appointed to the Student Temporary Employment Program has completed the requirements for his/her degree/diploma/certificate (as appropriate), he/she is no longer a student, and must be separated, even if the NTE date on their current appointment has not been reached. The reason for the separation is that they are no longer “students” and therefore no longer meet the basic eligibility for the program. Executive Order 12015 does not apply to these graduates. If enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an additional educational program, they may be given a new appointment.

Eligibility requirements

• They are pursuing any of the following educational programs:

        (1)  High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
        (2)  Vocational/Technical Certificate
        (3)  Associate Degree
        (4)  Baccalaureate Degree
        (5)  Graduate Degree; and
        (6)  Professional Degree

• Are participating in the Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship Program under the provision of Public Law 93-842 are eligible for appointments under the Student Career Experience Program.
• A student enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student (diploma, certificate, etc.)
• At least the minimum age required by Federal, state or local laws and standards governing the employment of minors
• Taking at least half-time academic or vocational and technical course load in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school,
• And a U.S. citizen or a national (resident of American Samoa or Swains Island).
• Non-citizens may be eligible for employment if: permitted by a Federal agency’s appropriation act, and eligible to work under U.S. immigration laws. U.S. citizenship is required for conversion to permanent employment under the Student Career Experience Component.

Types of Appointments

• Students placed as a SCEP are appointed to indefinite Excepted Service.
• Students placed as a STEP are appointed to 1 year temporary appointment that may be extended.

Benefits