Student Trainee (Biological Science - Agriculturist)

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• 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 through Spring 2026 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/
• Be available to work a regular schedule at the assigned duty station throughout the internship, even when classes are in session. Schedules are full time in the summer and at least 16 hours a week during the school year.
• Selectees must be able to start work on either May 18 or June 1, 2025.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.
• Attend the in-person cohort session from June 23-27, 2025 in Riverdale, Maryland (cost covered by the agency).
• Summer/school year housing and travel expenses for travel to and from the duty station for the internship will not be paid.
  
  

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. Applicants need to be on an academic track that would lead to a degree mentioned in the education section below at time of potential conversion

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 October 16, 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 OR FALL 2025 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 without further enrollment prior to spring 2026 are not eligible for this position due to the one-year developmental program that accompanies this internship.

Education

401 Job Series

This position requires certain educational requirements for conversion to a term or permanent position after graduation. For this position, those requirements include:

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

OR

Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Additional information

The APHIS Career Experience (ACE) program is a unique and exciting internship experience, designed to foster and develop interns for permanent positions within the agency after graduation. The program is designed to provide a cohort experience with peers across academic and career tracks and throughout APHIS programs. In addition to technical, on-the-job training and job duties, ACE participants will be part of a formal, one year development program to enhance leadership and professional skills and competencies. The ACE Program follows the regulations and requirements of the Pathways Internship program as determined by the Office of Personnel Management and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Promotion Potential: As an ACE intern, you may be eligible for non-competitive promotion to the GS-5 while still in your internship if you complete eligibility requirements and if recommended by management. If converted to a permanent position after graduation, you may be placed under a career development plan for further non-competitive promotion opportunities.

The required hours are at least 16 hours per week during the school year and 40 hours per week during the summer.

There will be a one week in-person engagement and development opportunity for selectees from June 23-27 in Riverdale, Maryland. ACE interns with an official duty station outside the local commuting area will have lodging and travel expenses for this trip fully covered.

This Internship confers eligibility for a noncompetitive conversion to a permanent or term position in the competitive service contingent upon meeting all applicable Internship Program requirements and the needs of the agency. You will be considered for conversion to a permanent or term position upon the successful completion of your Internship. However, please note that eligibility for conversion does not guarantee the agency will opt for conversion. The target position for this internship is a position in the Biological Sciences job family with a full performance level of at least a GS-9.

If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entrance on duty. Proof of enrollment or acceptance for the upcoming academic term or semester will also be required.

A Pathways Participant Agreement will be required if you are selected for a position. The agreement must be signed by all applicable parties prior to entrance on duty.

Student Interns must continue to meet the Pathways Program requirements throughout the duration of the appointment. Incumbents will be required to provide proof of continued enrollment and good standing each semester or grading period throughout the internship program. Failure to do so will result in termination of the appointment.

Worksite Information: This is a 100% remote position that must be located within the 50 United States, its territories, or possessions. The duty station for a remote designation is the selectee's home and must be established within the defined geographic options prior to start date. The selectee is not required to regularly work from a government facility however, the option may be available.

The worksite for the internship may not be the worksite for the position offered post-graduation.

This position may be represented by a collective bargaining unit if post-graduation conversion is offered.

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• Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.