Positions are being filled under the Pathways Student Internship Authority which is designed to provide students enrolled in a variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with paid work opportunities in agencies to explore federal careers while in school. Locations will be Negotiable: Applicants interested in locations not specifically listed on the announcement are encouraged to communicate/negotiate location availability during the interview stage.

Duties

This position is designed to provide a career-oriented introduction to the background, philosophy, concepts, and scope of the NRCS Agronomy Management Programs and a practical understanding of the policies of the employing organization. Assists in making site and condition surveys. Assists in providing technical guidance to landowners and operators in the application of conservation practices such as cropping systems, nutrient, pest, tillage and irrigation management. Assists with planning or conducting meetings for the purpose of assisting customers in getting a better understanding of their conservation problems Assignments are developmental in nature and, in conjunction with formal education, the Intern will gain the necessary competencies leading to conversion to a permanent professional position in Agronomy Work assignments are selected to ensure that the Intern receives on-the-job training and exposure to one or more program functions. Receives training in the principles, concepts, work processes, and regulations of one or more functional areas of Agronomy and Biological Sciences. As training advances and proficiency is demonstrated, work assignment are increasingly more demanding, and are designed to provide experience in a variety of activities On a scheduled basis, following the Pathways Participant Agreement, receives assignments in various Agronomy and Biological Sciences functions. Receives formal and on-the-job training in OPM, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resource Conservation Service policies, rules, regulations, and procedures Is instructed on the use of personal computers, and file and data management.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National or be lawfully permitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident or otherwise authorized to be employed. Must be a U.S. citizen at the time of conversion to the competitive service.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
• Must be in good academic standing as defined by USDA as a cumulative GPS of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Complete at least 640 hrs of work experience prior to completion of degree
• Enrolled at least half-time at a qualifying educational institution
• A signed participant agreement is required for employment under Pathways
• Satisfactory Background investigation and/or fingerprint check
• Successful completion of two-year trial period
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/
• This position requires the incumbent to possess a valid state driver's license.
• The incumbents of Internship positions may be reassigned/relocated to any geographical location where the employee's services are needed as determined by management. Mobility agreement may be required.
• The candidate's academic and career goals must be related to the position that they are appointed to.

Qualifications

Program Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must meet the definition of a student that is, be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited technical or vocational school, two-year or four-year college or university, graduate or professional school. You must be taking at least a half-time academic course load leading to a degree or certificate. A certificate program is defined as a post-secondary education, in a qualifying educational institution, equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum. Applicants must be in good academic standing (GPA of 2.5 or equivalent) to qualify for the intern program and to stay throughout the duration of their intern in, or related to, the internship opportunity being advertised. Examples of relevant educational fields for this position include but are not limited to: agronomy; or related discipline of science that includes agronomic subjects, such as those dealing with plant breeding, crop production, and soil and crop management or other natural resource-related disciplines that will allow applicants to qualify for the conversion requirements listed below. Position Qualifications: Applicants must meet position qualifications requirements as shown below at the time of appointment. The agency must be able to verify that the education was completed successfully before the applicant can be appointed. Below is the education requirement to be qualified for this position: GS-02: Completion of high school or possession of a GED diploma. GS-03: Completion of 1 full academic year of post-high school study. GS-04: Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree. One full academic year of undergraduate education is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours or the equivalent as defined by the accredited college or university. One full academic year of graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours or the equivalent as defined by the accredited college or university. Conversion Information: Candidates selected from this announcement may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a permanent position in the competitive service, provided that all terms of the Internship Program are met and there is an available position. Conversion is not mandatory or guaranteed and is at agency discretion. Pathways Interns may convert to a permanent position for which they qualify for (e.g., GS-0471) as outlined in the intern's Pathways agreement. Upon conversion to the competitive service, this position will have a career ladder up to the GS-11 full performance level. To be eligible for conversion, you must satisfactorily complete all Pathways Program requirements: Complete at least 640 hours of work experience prior to graduation; Complete all mandatory training requirements; Meet performance expectations and be recommended for conversion; Meet suitability requirements; and Meet the position's Qualification Requirements of the associated occupational series as outlined in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, General Schedule Qualifications Standards. See the link below: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=0400-ndx GS-0471 Basic Requirement: Degree: agronomy; or related discipline of science that included at least 30 semester hours of course work in the basic plant sciences, including at least 15 semester hours in agronomic subjects, such as those dealing with plant breeding, crop production, and soil and crop management. If selected you must report no later than June 2024 to begin the internship. Student Trainees will perform the following duties under direct supervision. Assignments will be developmental in nature and will assist the employee in gaining the competencies necessary for a career. This paid internship may offer additional Recruitment and Relocation incentives. This internship may allow for Student Load Repayment Program opportunities. Please see additional information in the announcement below.

Education

College Transcripts: You must submit a copy of your college transcript or high school diploma/GED certificate as proof that you meet the educational requirements for the grade to which you are applying. You may submit unofficial copies of transcripts at the initial phase of the application process; however, if selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entrance-on-duty. See "Required Documents" section for more details.

MUST PROVIDE all transcripts/proof of enrollment/acceptance, and/or current class schedule.

All academic degrees or course work must be completed in an educational institution that has obtained accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov/

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Barry Culbreath
• Phone: 816-926-1482
• Email: [email protected]