Positions are being filled under the Pathways Student Internship Authority a paid internship for students who will have finished their junior or senior year of high school by the start of the program and are interested in careers in administrative and business management. IMPORTANT APPLICATION DEADLINE: The first referral of candidates will be made from applications received by 11:59 PM EST, June 21, 2024; subsequent cut off dates and referrals will be made as vacancies occur.

Duties

The incumbent of this position assists professional and technical staff by performing a variety of clearly defined tasks. These tasks are designed to increase knowledge and understanding of USDA's mission and the activities of the organization within assigned area of specialty and/or interest. Assignments will vary by Agency, Office, and Division. The major duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Provides administrative and clerical assistance to higher level staff. Prepares a variety of documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and correspondence. Proofreads documents for proper grammar and compliance with organizational procedures and standards. Receives and files correspondence, records, reports, and other materials. Schedules appointments and makes meeting arrangements. Enters or tracks data in systems or databases. Greets and receives visitors. Receives formal and on-the-job training in the functions and operations of the organization and the specialty area with which the office is concerned.

Requirements

• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• All applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Permanent Residents and Foreign Nationals who meet both Immigration and Annual Appropriations Law requirements may also apply.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you may be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report inquiry.
• Must be in good academic standing as defined by USDA as a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. *See additional information regarding GPA requirement in the Qualifications section below.
• Enrolled at least half-time at a qualifying educational institution.
• Meet education requirements. (see Qualifications section)
• A signed participant agreement is required for employment under Pathways.
• 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/
• Complete at least 480 hrs of work experience prior to completion of degree.
• Successful completion of two-year trial period.
• The internship will expire 180 days after completion of the designated academic course of study, unless the participant is selected for non-competitive conversion under 5 CFR 362.204. Conversion is not guaranteed.

Qualifications

Pathways Intern Program Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must meet Pathways Intern Program Eligibility Requirements as shown below: *Spring 2024 graduates will be required to provide proof of continued enrollment in the form of transcripts, acceptance letter or other appropriate documentation at the time of application, for Summer 2024 or Fall 2024 graduates will be required to provide proof at the time of tentative selection. If no proof of continued enrollment is provided at that time, you will no longer be eligible for this internship. Applicants must be currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment from a qualifying educational institution on a full or half-time basis. Applicants must be seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) and be in good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 or equivalent) to qualify for the intern program and to stay throughout the duration of their intern program. *If your school uses an alternate grading system, you must submit proof and explanation of the grading system with your application or you will not be considered for this position. The duties of the position must be related to the student's academic field of study or career interests Position Qualifications: Applicants must meet position qualifications requirements as shown below at the time of appointment. Entrance on duty dates for appointment may be made as early as July 2024. The agency must be able to verify that the education was completed successfully before the applicant can be appointed. GS-01: Current enrollment in a high school or General Education Diploma Program and will be in Junior or Senior year in Fall 2024. GS-02: Completion of high school or possession of a GED diploma NOTE: Grades recruited for are the GS-01 and GS-02; however, not every office will select for all or any grades. Selections will be made according to agency needs.

Education

High School 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 current AND future enrollment/acceptance, and/or current AND future 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 Departmental Administration 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Gayle Veney
• Email: [email protected]