Student Trainee (Pathways)

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Pathways Internship Positions, GS-0399). https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0300/administration-and-office-support-student-trainee-series-0399/ Requirements for Internship Appointments: GS-2 grade level: Completion of high school or GED diploma. GS-3 grade level: Completion of 1 academic year of post-high school study. GS-4 grade level: Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate’s degree. NOTE: One full academic year of undergraduate, graduate, vocational, trades, technical, or high school education is the number of credit hours determined by the college, university or school to represent 1 year of full-time study. The high school curriculum must be approved by a State or local governing body. All education beyond high school must be accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. NOTE: Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Schedule D, Pathways Internship Positions – One full academic year of undergraduate, graduate, vocational, trades, technical, or high school education is the number of credit hours determined by the college, university or school to represent 1 year of full-time study. The high school curriculum must be approved by a State or local governing body. PATHWAYS PROGRAM NOTICE – PRIORITY HIRING AREAS: Internship assignments are based on BIA and Tribal hiring needs. The disciplines listed below will be given priority consideration. Other specialty areas will still be considered. Forestry Natural Resources Management Soil Conservation, Soil Sciences Real Estate Agriculture and Rangeland Management Wildland Fire Management Environmental Science Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Civil Engineering Petroleum Engineering Irrigation, Hydrology Climate Bison Management, Animal Sciences Visit https://www.bia.gov/service/pathways for more information about these priority fields. PATHWAYS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: The following eligibility requirements must be maintained throughout the duration of the Internship appointment: Be at least 18 years of age Currently Enrolled Full-time or Accepted for Enrollment Full-time (12 credit hours) Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher Compliance with the terms and conditions of the Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement Enrolled in an accredited college or university seeking a bachelor’s degree related to the program area (as identified in the Participant Agreement). PROMOTION POTENTIAL: The full performance level of this position is GS-4. A student may be promoted as long as all eligibility and qualification requirements for the position to which they are being promoted are met. For promotion potential, the student must have received a fully successful or higher performance evaluation, be in good academic standing, in compliance with the Pathways Internship Participant Agreement and meet the education requirement for the grade level as described under the OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Schedule D, Pathways Internship Positions. This provision does not confer entitlement to promotion. PROGRAM EXTENSIONS: An Intern Not To Exceed (NTE) appointment may be extended in increments of up to one year. There is no limit on the number of extensions that may be granted, as long as the Intern NTE maintains eligibility for her or his appointment by: -Continuing to demonstrate progress toward the successful completion of her or his academic program within the timeframe indicated in the Participant Agreement; -Remaining a student in good academic standing; and -Receiving a positive recommendation and/or evaluation to justify the extension from the Pathways Program manager. -Completing at least a half-time course load each term as determined by her or his educational institution. CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS: The incumbent of this position may be noncompetitively converted to a term or career conditional position with a full performance level (FPL) of GS-5 through GS-11 upon successful completion of all qualifications and eligibility requirements identified in the Pathways Participant Agreement. The FPL will be determined at the time of conversion and is a management decision on a case-by-case basis. Successful program completion requirements include: -Complete at least 640 hours of work experience in accordance with 5 CFR 362; -Completed the academic degree requirements with at least a 2.0 overall GPA; -Meet OPM’s qualification standards for the position to which the student will be converted. See qualification requirements at: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs0400/0499.htm -Received a favorable recommendation from host supervisor for non-competitive conversion “appointment”; -Received a “Fully Successful” or above performance evaluation; -Be converted timely within conversion period from when the degree is conferred (120 days); and All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (title 25, USC Section 472). All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. This application will allow you to apply for a general internship position with the BIA. If selected, you will have the opportunity to select which BIA office, program, or Tribal Nation you would like to intern with.
The BIA Office of Trust Services Pathways Internship Program connects current college students to paid internships throughout the Bureau of Indian Affairs and with Tribal Nations across the United States. With meaningful projects, rotational assignments, and multi-semester opportunities, Pathways prepares interns for an impactful career in public service and offers a direct pipeline to full-time employment with the BIA or Tribal Nations upon graduation.