Student Trainee (Rangeland Management)

Natural Resources Conservation Service • Dickinson, ND

7d

About The Position

This Pathways Student Internship offers paid, career-oriented work in the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Range Management Programs for students enrolled at least half-time in a qualifying educational institution. The trainee receives an introduction to range-management programs, policies, concepts, and work practices, along with formal and on-the-job training in agency policies and procedures, functional areas of Range Management and Biological Sciences, and computer and file/data management.

The position provides practical experience assisting with program and conservation planning, gathering preliminary data, documenting land features, preparing maps and aerial photographs, identifying and classifying plants, and completing field notes and preliminary drafting. Assignments become more demanding as the trainee’s training and proficiency advance. Applicants may select up to three desired locations. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized. Selected students may be eligible for conversion to a permanent position after meeting Pathways requirements, but conversion is not guaranteed.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• If male and born after 12/31/1959, be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Maintain good academic standing, defined as a minimum GPA of 2.5.
• Be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited qualifying educational institution, or accepted for enrollment, and pursue a degree or certificate related to the internship.
• Complete at least 480 hours of work experience before completing the degree.
• Sign a Pathways participant agreement.
• Pass required background adjudication and/or fingerprint checks 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 for the grade: 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.
• If qualifying based on education, submit transcripts and meet the relevant education requirements; foreign education must include the required equivalency verification and English translation.
• Continue to meet Pathways requirements throughout the appointment, including providing proof of enrollment and maintaining a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Nice To Haves

• Relevant fields of study include Rangeland Management, Range Ecology, Wildland Restoration, Animal Science, Wildlife Management, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or other natural resource-related disciplines.
• A degree in range management or a related discipline meeting the GS-0454 coursework requirements may support eligibility for conversion to a permanent position.

Responsibilities

• Assist with program and conservation planning for rangeland management practices.
• Gather and assemble preliminary data for developing and applying conservation plans.
• Maintain accurate field notes and perform preliminary drafting and sketch work.
• Record land features and assemble maps and aerial photographs.
• Identify and classify plants and perform related range-management work.
• Receive training in Range Management and Biological Sciences principles, concepts, work processes, and regulations.
• Complete formal and on-the-job training in OPM, Department of Agriculture, and Natural Resources Conservation Service policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Learn to use personal computers and manage files and data.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend 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