Student Trainee (Engineering)

Natural Resources Conservation Service•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

This is a paid Pathways student internship providing work opportunities in a federal agency while the student is enrolled in an educational institution. The position involves assisting with engineering and conservation project work, including conducting surveys, processing data, supporting construction inspection and layout, and evaluating proposed projects. Work is typically performed in an office, with frequent trips to field sites. The position is eligible for telework as determined by agency policy. Students must remain enrolled at least half-time and in good academic standing throughout the appointment, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, and complete at least 480 hours of work experience before graduation. Candidates may be eligible for conversion to a permanent position after completing program and qualification requirements, 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 a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher and be in good academic standing as defined by the agency.
Complete at least 480 hours of work experience before completing the degree.
Be enrolled at least half-time at a qualifying educational institution, or accepted for enrollment, in a course load leading to a degree or certificate.
Pursue a certificate or degree in a field related to the internship; examples include civil, agricultural, or environmental engineering and other engineering-related disciplines.
Sign a Pathways participant agreement.
Pass the required background investigation and/or fingerprint check, E-Verify employment verification, and any applicable suitability requirements.
Possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle operated for the position.
Meet the applicable education requirement at appointment: GS-02 requires high school completion or a 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 successfully completed at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
For potential conversion to GS-0810/0890 engineering positions, meet the applicable engineering degree and qualification requirements, including an ABET-accredited engineering bachelor's program or the specified engineering coursework.
Continue to meet Pathways Program requirements throughout the appointment, including continued enrollment, good academic standing, and mandatory training and performance requirements for conversion.

Responsibilities

Perform survey work to develop topographic, cross-section, profile, and other 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, prepare design reports, estimate costs, calculate material quantities, and perform simple hydrology and hydraulic calculations.
Assist with construction inspection and layout for conservation structures to assess adherence to plans and specifications.
Assist technicians in evaluating the needs and feasibility of proposed conservation projects.