Student Trainee (Engineering)

Natural Resources Conservation Service•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

This Pathways Student Internship provides paid work opportunities to students enrolled at least half-time in an accredited educational institution. The student trainee supports engineering and conservation work by conducting surveys, operating engineering instruments, processing and analyzing data, assisting with cost and quantity estimates, and helping with construction inspection and project feasibility evaluations. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized. The position is eligible for telework as determined by agency policy, and interns may be reassigned or relocated to locations where management determines their services are needed. Conversion to a permanent position may be possible after successful completion of the program requirements, but is not guaranteed. The position has a potential career ladder up to GS-09 after conversion, subject to applicable requirements and management decisions.

Requirements

Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service or be 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 in a qualifying educational institution and pursue a certificate or degree related to the internship.
Sign a Pathways participant agreement.
Pass the required background investigation and/or fingerprint check and E-Verify employment verification.
Have a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle operated for the duties.
Meet the applicable education requirement at appointment: GS-2 requires high school completion or GED; GS-3 requires one full academic year of post-high-school study; GS-4 requires two full academic years of post-high-school study.
Provide transcripts if qualifying based on education; education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Continue to meet Pathways requirements, including enrollment and maintaining a GPA of at least 2.5, throughout the appointment.
If selected for conversion, meet the applicable engineering occupational-series qualification requirements and complete program requirements, including mandatory training, satisfactory performance, and suitability requirements.
Serve a two-year trial period if applicable to the appointment type, unless previous federal service is creditable.
Use direct deposit for federal payments.

Responsibilities

Perform survey work to develop topographic, cross-section, profile, and other data for use by a professional engineer.
Operate and receive training in 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 check adherence to plans and specifications.
Assist technicians in evaluating the needs and feasibility of proposed conservation projects.