Summary

Positions are being filled under the Pathways Student Internship Authority a paid internship for students who will have finished their junior or senior year of high school by the start of the program and are interested in careers in administrative and business management.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION DEADLINE: The first referral of candidates will be made from applications received by 11:59 PM EST, June 27, 2024; subsequent cut off dates and referrals will be made as vacancies occur.

This job is open to

• Students
  
  Current students enrolled in accredited educational institutions from high school to graduate level. Includes internships, pathways and other student programs.

Clarification from the agency

Open to all qualified students who are U.S. citizens and meet the eligibility requirements for the Pathways Internship Program as described below.

Duties

• The incumbent of this position assists professional and technical staff by performing a variety of clearly defined tasks.
• These tasks are designed to increase knowledge and understanding of USDA's mission and the activities of the organization within assigned area of specialty and/or interest. Assignments will vary by Agency, Office, and Division.
• The major duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Provides administrative and clerical assistance to higher level staff.
• Prepares a variety of documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and correspondence.
• Proofreads documents for proper grammar and compliance with organizational procedures and standards.
• Receives and files correspondence, records, reports, and other materials.
• Schedules appointments and makes meeting arrangements.
• Enters or tracks data in systems or databases.
• Greets and receives visitors.
• Receives formal and on-the-job training in the functions and operations of the organization and the specialty area with which the office is concerned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• All applicants must be at least 16 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Permanent Residents and Foreign Nationals who meet both Immigration and Annual Appropriations Law requirements may also apply.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you may be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report inquiry.
• Must be in good academic standing as defined by USDA as a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. *See additional information regarding GPA requirement in the Qualifications section below.
• Enrolled at least half-time at a qualifying educational institution.
• Meet education requirements. (see Qualifications section)
• A signed participant agreement is required for employment under Pathways.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Complete at least 480 hours of work experience prior to completion of degree.
• Successful completion of two-year trial period.
• The internship will expire 180 days after completion of the designated academic course of study, unless the participant is selected for non-competitive conversion under 5 CFR 362.204. Conversion is not guaranteed.

Qualifications

Pathways Intern Program Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must meet Pathways Intern Program Eligibility Requirements as shown below: *Spring 2024 graduates will be required to provide proof of continued enrollment in the form of transcripts, acceptance letter or other appropriate documentation at the time of application, for Summer 2024 or Fall 2024 graduates will be required to provide proof at the time of tentative selection. If no proof of continued enrollment is provided at that time, you will no longer be eligible for this internship.

• Applicants must be currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment from a qualifying educational institution on a full or half-time basis.
• Applicants must be seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) and be in good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 or equivalent) to qualify for the intern program and to stay throughout the duration of their intern program. *If your school uses an alternate grading system, you must submit proof and explanation of the grading system with your application or you will not be considered for this position.
• The duties of the position must be related to the student's academic field of study or career interests

Position Qualifications:

Applicants must meet position qualifications requirements as shown below at the time of appointment. Entrance on duty dates for appointment may be made as early as July 2024.

The agency must be able to verify that the education was completed successfully before the applicant can be appointed.

• GS-01: Current enrollment in a high school or General Education Diploma Program and will be in Junior or Senior year in Fall 2024.
• GS-02: Completion of high school or possession of a GED diploma

NOTE: Grades recruited for are the GS-01 and GS-02; however, not every office will select for all or any grades. Selections will be made according to agency needs.

Education

High School Transcripts: You must submit a copy of your college transcript or high school diploma/GED certificate as proof that you meet the educational requirements for the grade to which you are applying. You may submit unofficial copies of transcripts at the initial phase of the application process; however, if selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entrance-on-duty. See "Required Documents" section for more details.

MUST PROVIDE all transcripts/proof of current AND future enrollment/acceptance, and/or current AND future class schedule.

All academic degrees or course work must be completed in an educational institution that has obtained accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov/

Additional information

This is an Excepted Service appointment. This announcement will be used to fill full-time or part-time temporary summer student internship positions.

Multiple Schedules-Summer Internship available. Students may also return during school breaks.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Initial appointments will be made at grade levels GS-1 or GS-02 and may have promotion potential to GS-07.

Student Interns must continue to meet the Pathways Program requirements throughout the duration of the appointment. Incumbents will be required to provide proof of continued enrollment and good standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale) each semester or grading period throughout the internship program. Failure to do so may result in termination of the appointment.

Pathways Interns may be converted to a term, career-conditional or career appointment within 180 days of the completion of degree requirements provided all other requirements for conversion have been met; however, conversion is not guaranteed. The full performance level (FPL) of the position to which converted may be up to the GS-07 level or below. For more information on the Pathways Intern Program, please click HERE.

To be eligible for conversion, Interns must:

• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Have completed at least 480 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program;
• Have completed educational requirements from a qualifying institution;
• Meet the qualification requirements for the position to which the Intern will be converted;
• Meet agency-specific requirements as specified in the Participant's Agreement and;
• Have received a favorable recommendation by an official of the agency.

USDA may provide the following benefits to their student hires:

• Commuter Transit Subsidy (pending the availability of budgeted funds/allocations)
• Telework and/or Flexible work schedule (upon supervisor approval)
• Student interns with a NTE date may be eligible to enroll in the Federal Employee's Health Benefits (FEHB) Program if they meet the criteria as described in the Federal Register Vol. 79, No. 201, October 17, 2014. See http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-10-17/html/2014-24652.htm

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time or part-time. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the Position Qualifications and Pathways Intern Program Eligibility Requirements listed in the "Qualifications" section above. Applicants who meet these requirements will be placed on the certificate of eligibles per the grade qualified and forwarded to the selecting official for further review and consideration. Selections will be made from the certificate of eligibles. Interviews may be conducted but are not guaranteed.

Veteran's preference applies in the arrangement of qualified applicants for all USDA Pathways Programs positions (5 CFR 302.101(a). Qualified applicants eligible for veteran's preference will be referred and considered ahead of non-veterans.

Before you submit an application for any of our vacancies, you should completely review the announcement and requirements. You should only apply for positions you meet the required minimum qualifications AND program requirements described in the announcement. Do not apply to a duty location if you are not willing to accept or travel to that location.

NOTE: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you provided false documentation, you will be removed from consideration.

When we complete our selections, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with additional USDA agencies. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application materials, and assessment results shared with additional USDA agencies to be considered for employment. There is no guarantee of further consideration.

• Benefits
  
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  The following documents are required for your application to be complete.
  
  • Resume must include: 1) personal information; 2) education; 3) work experience including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; and title, series and grade if applicable; 4) supervisor's phone number, e-mail address for each work period listed, and whether or not we may contact them for reference checks.
  • Please provide one of these three documents:
  • A. A copy of your current class Schedule OR
  • B. A copy of your current school report card OR
  • C. Unofficial transcripts downloaded from your school website are acceptable OR
  • Proof of enrollment or acceptance of enrollment AND good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale):
    
    You must submit a copy of your most recent college transcripts. Transcripts must show your school name, student's name, current GPA, past and current course work, degree program, and field of study/major/concentration. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information stated in the previous sentence; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
  
  * Alternate methods to show proof of enrollment may be in the form of letters, records, or statements issued from a high school, vocational institution, college or university. The documentation provided must be issued from an authorized source (example: university registrar's office). However, a transcript (official or unofficial) must still be submitted in order to show current GPA, past and current course work, degree program, and field of study/major/concentration.
  
  Enrollment Verification: If your transcripts reflect current/in-progress enrollment and future enrollment, separate enrollment verification is not required. If your transcripts do not reflect current/in-progress enrollment and future enrollment, you must provide proof of enrollment or acceptance in the form of letters, records, or statements issued from an authorized source (i.e. University Registrar's Office).
  
  You must submit the documents below if you claim the following:
  
  • Veterans, If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
    
    If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS.
  
  NOTE: If you are adding a document, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded resumes must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX).
  
  Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in mail service, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an
  
  ineligible rating.
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  You must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of this announcement.
  
  • To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire, which can be previewed here:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12448153 .
  • Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  • To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
  
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Gayle Veney
  
  Email
  
  Gayle.Veney@usda.gov
  
  Address
  
  Departmental Administration
  
  1400 Independence Ave SW
  
  Washington, DC 20250
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
  
  You will be notified of your application status at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You may check your application status by accessing the USAJOBS website and clicking "Application Status".
  
  The amount of notices that each applicant receives may vary. The four points of notification are:
  
  • Application Received or Application Incomplete
  • Minimum Qualification Requirement Met/Not Met
  • Eligible (Application Referred) or Eligible (Application Not referred)
  • Selected or Not Selected
  
  
  Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to OHRM-FCAComplaint@USDA.GOV, subject line: Fair Chance Act.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your application to be complete.

• Resume must include: 1) personal information; 2) education; 3) work experience including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; and title, series and grade if applicable; 4) supervisor's phone number, e-mail address for each work period listed, and whether or not we may contact them for reference checks.
• Please provide one of these three documents:
• A. A copy of your current class Schedule OR
• B. A copy of your current school report card OR
• C. Unofficial transcripts downloaded from your school website are acceptable OR
• Proof of enrollment or acceptance of enrollment AND good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale):
  
  You must submit a copy of your most recent college transcripts. Transcripts must show your school name, student's name, current GPA, past and current course work, degree program, and field of study/major/concentration. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information stated in the previous sentence; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

* Alternate methods to show proof of enrollment may be in the form of letters, records, or statements issued from a high school, vocational institution, college or university. The documentation provided must be issued from an authorized source (example: university registrar's office). However, a transcript (official or unofficial) must still be submitted in order to show current GPA, past and current course work, degree program, and field of study/major/concentration.

Enrollment Verification: If your transcripts reflect current/in-progress enrollment and future enrollment, separate enrollment verification is not required. If your transcripts do not reflect current/in-progress enrollment and future enrollment, you must provide proof of enrollment or acceptance in the form of letters, records, or statements issued from an authorized source (i.e. University Registrar's Office).

You must submit the documents below if you claim the following:

• Veterans, If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
  
  If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS.

NOTE: If you are adding a document, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded resumes must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX).

Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in mail service, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an

ineligible rating.


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

You must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of this announcement.

• To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire, which can be previewed here:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12448153 .
• Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
• It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
• To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Gayle Veney

Email

Gayle.Veney@usda.gov

Address

Departmental Administration

1400 Independence Ave SW

Washington, DC 20250

US

Next steps

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.

You will be notified of your application status at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You may check your application status by accessing the USAJOBS website and clicking "Application Status".

The amount of notices that each applicant receives may vary. The four points of notification are:

• Application Received or Application Incomplete
• Minimum Qualification Requirement Met/Not Met
• Eligible (Application Referred) or Eligible (Application Not referred)
• Selected or Not Selected

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to OHRM-FCAComplaint@USDA.GOV, subject line: Fair Chance Act.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request