Student Trainee (Rangeland Management)

Natural Resources Conservation Service • Flagstaff, AZ

7d

About The Position

This Pathways Student Internship provides paid work opportunities to students enrolled in qualifying educational institutions. The position introduces students to the background, philosophy, concepts, and scope of Natural Resources Conservation Service Range Management Programs and provides practical understanding of agency policies. Students receive training in Range Management and Biological Sciences, along with formal and on-the-job instruction in applicable Office of Personnel Management, Department of Agriculture, and Natural Resources Conservation Service policies, rules, regulations, and procedures. Training also covers personal computer use and file and data management. Assignments become more demanding as students gain proficiency and are designed to provide experience across a variety of activities.

The position supports program and conservation planning for rangeland management practices and the collection and assembly of preliminary data used to develop and apply conservation plans. Work may include field notes, preliminary drafting and sketch work, recording land features, assembling maps and aerial photographs, identifying and classifying plants, and related duties. Internship positions may be reassigned or relocated to locations where management determines services are needed; a mobility agreement may be required. Telework eligibility is determined by agency policy. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.

Students must continue to meet Pathways eligibility requirements throughout the appointment, including enrollment and good academic standing. Candidates may be eligible for noncompetitive conversion after completing program requirements, but conversion is not guaranteed. A position upon conversion may have a career ladder up to the GS-09 full performance level.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• If male and born after December 31, 1959, be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Maintain good academic standing as defined by the agency, including a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Complete at least 480 hours of work experience before completing the degree.
• Be enrolled at least half-time at a qualifying educational institution and continue to meet Pathways Program requirements throughout the appointment.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited technical or vocational school, college, university, graduate school, or professional school, taking at least a half-time academic course load leading to a degree or certificate related to the internship.
• Sign a participant agreement for Pathways employment.
• Pass required background investigation and/or fingerprint check, E-Verify employment verification, and applicable suitability requirements.
• Possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the vehicle type operated in the duties.
• 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; transcripts must document course information and be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• For conversion into the GS-0454 Rangeland Management series, meet the stated degree coursework requirements: a range management degree or related discipline with at least 42 semester hours across range management, directly related plant/animal/soil sciences, and related resource management studies.
• Complete mandatory Pathways training, meet performance expectations and suitability requirements, and be recommended for conversion to be eligible for conversion consideration.
• Serve a two-year trial period if applicable to the appointment type, unless previous federal service is creditable.
• Accept possible reassignment or relocation to another geographic location where management determines services are needed; a mobility agreement may be required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with program and conservation planning for rangeland management practices, including terraces, diversions, waterways, and farm drainage systems.
• 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 functional areas of Range Management and Biological Sciences, including applicable policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Use personal computers and manage files and data.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package is available to the employee and family, subject to position type and eligibility.
• 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