Student Trainee (Forestry)

Natural Resources Conservation Service • Eureka, CA

3d

About The Position

This Pathways Student Internship provides paid work opportunities for students enrolled in qualifying educational institutions. The intern receives intensive, specialized training in forestry and related natural resource conservation programs, gaining a career-oriented introduction to the NRCS Forestry Management Programs, the employing organization’s policies, and the principles and practices of forestry and biological sciences. Training includes formal instruction and on-the-job assignments in one or more functional areas, as well as instruction in computer use and file and data management. The position is in Eureka or Petaluma, California, with the specific location to be determined. Interns may be reassigned or relocated to other locations where management determines their services are needed; a mobility agreement may be required. Telework eligibility is subject to agency policy.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or be exempt.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an accredited qualifying educational institution, taking at least a half-time course load leading to a degree or certificate, and pursuing a field related to the internship.
• Maintain good academic standing, defined by the agency as a GPA of at least 2.5, throughout the internship.
• Complete at least 480 hours of work experience before graduation.
• Sign a Pathways Participant Agreement.
• Pass the required background investigation and/or fingerprint check, and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Serve a two-year trial period, depending on appointment type, unless previous federal service is creditable.
• Have federal payments made by direct deposit.
• Possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator’s license for the type of vehicle operated in performing the duties.
• Meet the applicable education qualification at appointment: GS-2 requires high school completion or a 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.
• Submit transcripts when qualifying based on education; foreign education must include the required accreditation/equivalency verification and English translation.

Nice To Haves

• Relevant study in forestry or a related natural-resource discipline.
• For potential conversion to the GS-0460 Forestry series, a qualifying forestry or related degree with at least 30 semester hours in biological, physical, or mathematical sciences or engineering, including at least 24 semester hours in forestry and coursework in renewable resource management, forest biology, and forest resource measurements and inventory.

Responsibilities

• Assist with program and conservation planning for forestry practices, including woodland, windbreak, visual resource management, and recreation activities.
• Gather and assemble preliminary data for developing and applying conservation plans.
• Complete scheduled assignments in various forestry and biological sciences functions in accordance with the Pathways Participant Agreement.
• Receive formal and on-the-job training in forestry and natural resource conservation programs, applicable policies and procedures, and computer, file, and data management.

Benefits

• A federal employee benefits package is available; eligibility depends on position type and other applicable factors.
• 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