The APHIS Career Experience (ACE) program is a year-round internship and cohort program that allows students to develop themselves into collaborative and skilled professionals. Career opportunities await within the organization for qualified individuals who complete the program requirements. Become the next generation of diverse and talented leaders for APHIS! This internship will prepare you for a career in the biological sciences (plant protection) field.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Participating in developmental and training activities as part of the ACE Student Cohort Program Engaging in shadowing and mentoring opportunities with agency leadership and staff Being assigned day-to-day responsibilities related to biological sciences Supporting national plant health protection programs through working directly with infected or vulnerable plants Additional duties and responsibilities may be dependent on program or duty station requirements

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Must be in good academic standing as defined by their academic institution.
• Complete at least 640 hrs of work experience prior to completion of degree.
• Enrolled at least half-time at a qualifying educational institution; must be continuing enrollment for Fall 2024 in a qualifying degree/certificate program.
• 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/
• Must be available to work a regular schedule in Blaine, WA when classes are in session as well as during scheduled breaks; schedules are flexible between full and part time (at least 16 hours per week).
• Selectees must be able to start work on either May 19 or June 2, 2024.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. ELIGIBILITY: Students who are currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment on at least a half-time basis at a qualifying educational institution in a certificate, degree, or diploma program. Students should be in their junior year at time of application. Applicants can qualify by meeting the EDUCATION requirements specified below by entry-on-duty date. EDUCATION: GS-4: Completion of 2 full academic years (60 semester or 90 quarter hours) of post-high school study or an associate's degree. Students must have completed at least 48 credits by the time the announcement closes on January 17, 2024; and will be required to show proof of 60 completed credits prior to entry-on-duty. An academic year of undergraduate education is defined as a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours at an accredited college or university unless determined otherwise by the educational institution. IF SPRING 2024 IS YOUR FINAL SEMESTER of completing your degree/certificate requirements, you must show proof of acceptance to a continuing degree/certificate program. This may be documented by an acceptance letter for future enrollment in a degree/certificate program. If you do not provide proof of continuing education, you will be disqualified from further consideration. Students graduating prior to spring 2025 are not eligible for this position due to the one-year developmental program that accompanies this internship.

Education

This position requires certain educational requirements for conversion to a term or permanent position in the 0401 Biological Science job series after graduation. For this position, those requirements include:

• Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

Contacts

• Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]