Multiple Locations, US

Position Title: Pathways Student Trainee – Rangeland Management Specialist

Organization: Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

Location: Multiple Locations, US

Organization Overview: NRCS and Conservation Partners work together to conserve, maintain and improve natural resources while meeting customers’ needs. The Service focuses on the diversity of the conservation environment in which they work in getting conservation applied to the land. NRCS provides technical resources and references using science-based technology to aid conservation planning and benefit soil, water, air, plants, and animals for productive lands and healthy ecosystems.

Duties:

• This position is designed to provide a career-oriented introduction to the background, philosophy, concepts, and scope of the NRCS Range Management Programs and a practical understanding of the policies of the employing organization.
• Assists in program and conservation planning for a variety of rangeland management practices such as terraces, diversions, waterways, farm drainage systems, and others.
• Assists in gathering and assembling preliminary data for use in developing and applying conservation plans.
• Assists with or performs a wide variety of rangeland management duties such as maintaining accurate field notes, preliminary drafting and sketch work.
• Supports the responsibility of recording of land features, assembling maps and aerial photographs, identifying and classifying plants, and other related work.
• Receives training in the principles, concepts, work processes, and regulations of one or more functional areas of Range Management and Biological Sciences.
• As training advances and proficiency is demonstrated, work assignments are increasingly more demanding, and are designed to provide experience in a variety of activities.
• Receives formal and on-the-job training in OPM, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resource Conservation Service policies, rules, regulations, and procedures
• Is instructed on the use of personal computers, and file and data management.

Position Qualifications:

• Applicants must be in good academic standing (GPA of 2.5 or equivalent) to qualify for the intern program and to stay throughout the duration of their intern in, or related to, the internship opportunity being advertised.
• Examples of relevant educational fields for this position include but are not limited to: Rangeland Management, Range Ecology, Wildland Restoration, Animal Science, Wildlife Management, Environment Science, Natural Resources, or other natural resource-related disciplines that will allow applicants to qualify for the conversion requirements listed below.
• This internship is intended to last for more than one year in order for the selected applicants to gain the required experience and meet all the requirements of the pathways program.
• GS-02: Completion of high school or possession of a GED diploma.
• GS-03: Completion of 1 full academic year of post-high school study.
• GS-04: Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate’s degree.

Employment Qualifications: 

• Enrolled at least half-time at a qualifying educational institution
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National or be lawfully permitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident or otherwise authorized to be employed. Must be a U.S. citizen at the time of conversion to the competitive service.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
• Must be in good academic standing as defined by USDA as a cumulative GPS of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Complete at least 640 hrs of work experience prior to completion of degree
• A signed participant agreement is required for employment under Pathways
• Satisfactory Background investigation and/or fingerprint check
• Successful completion of two-year trial period
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution
• 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/
• The incumbents of Internship positions may be reassigned/relocated to any geographical location where the employee’s services are needed as determined by management. Mobility agreement may be required.
• This position requires the incumbent to possess a valid state driver’s license.
• The candidate’s academic and career goals must be related to the position that they are appointed to.

Application Deadline: October 26

Salary: $33,241 – 43,801

How to Apply: Please use the online application for more information as well as how to apply.