Student Intern - Engineering

Natural Resources Conservation Service • Des Moines, IA

12h

About The Position

This is a paid Pathways Student Internship for students enrolled at least half-time in an accredited educational institution and pursuing a certificate or degree related to the internship. The intern performs survey work and supports engineering and conservation projects under the direction of professional engineers and technicians. Duties include developing topographic, cross-section, and profile surveys; operating engineering instruments; processing and organizing data; preparing design reports; estimating costs; calculating material quantities; performing basic hydrology and hydraulic calculations; assisting with construction inspection and layout; and helping evaluate proposed conservation projects. The position may be eligible for telework under agency policy, and interns may be reassigned or relocated to locations where their services are needed. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized. Successful interns may be considered for noncompetitive conversion to a permanent position, but conversion is not guaranteed.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service or exempt.
• Maintain good academic standing, defined as a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher, throughout the internship.
• Complete at least 480 hours of work experience before completing the degree.
• Be enrolled at least half-time at a qualifying educational institution and pursuing a related certificate or degree.
• Sign a participant agreement for employment under the Pathways program.
• Pass required background investigation and/or fingerprint checks, E-Verify employment verification, and suitability requirements.
• Possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the vehicle type(s) operated in the position.
• Meet the applicable education qualification at appointment: GS-02 requires high school completion or GED; GS-03 requires one full academic year of post-high-school study; GS-04 requires two full academic years of post-high-school study.
• Provide transcripts when qualifying based on education; education must be from an accredited institution.
• Continue to meet Pathways requirements, including enrollment and minimum GPA requirements, throughout the appointment.
• If selected, serve a two-year trial period depending on appointment type, unless prior federal service is creditable.
• Be willing to be reassigned or relocated to any geographic location where management determines services are needed; a mobility agreement may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Relevant fields of study include Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or another engineering-related discipline.
• A degree meeting the GS-0810/0890 engineering basic requirement, including an ABET-accredited engineering program or specified coursework in engineering science or physics, may support eligibility for conversion to an engineering position.

Responsibilities

• Perform survey work to develop topographic, cross-section, profile, and other survey information for use by a professional engineer.
• Operate and receive training on engineering instruments, including an engineer's level, hand level, laser level, total station, data collector, and GPS.
• Use a personal computer to process and organize data, type design reports, estimate costs, calculate material quantities, and perform simple hydrology and hydraulic calculations.
• Assist with construction inspection and layout for conservation structures to ensure adherence to plans and specifications.
• Assist technicians in evaluating the needs and feasibility of proposed conservation projects.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED