Student Trainee (Biological Sciences)

The Pathways Internship Program connects current college students to paid internships, throughout the Department of the Interior. The program offers structured training, professional development, and meaningful hands-on experience, preparing interns for an impactful career in public service and offers a direct pipeline to full-time employment upon graduation. Interns may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to permanent employment.

GS-07: $50,460-$65,599 GS-09: $61,722-$80,243 First time hires to the Federal government normally start at step 1 rate. Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Participates in the planning and execution of studies and assessments concerning biological, chemical, and physical processes that affect ecosystems. Coordinates, collects and processes field specimens for analysis according to established procedures, methods and techniques. Performs preliminary analysis of quantitative and qualitative data using established methods and software in ways that support project needs. Maintains computer databases; conducts geospatial analysis; and gathers, analyzes, tabulates and summarizes scientific, programmatic, and/or budgetary data. Participate in partnerships/collaborative groups and meet with partners, stakeholders and general public to communicate mission. Utilizes established data visualization methods and techniques to accurately and effectively communicate data and data analysis findings to various audiences. Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. This is an indefinite, Excepted Service appointment that may continue if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements under the Pathways Internship program and funding is available. Physical Demands: The work may involve a varied amount of field work. When engaged in field activities, the work is at times strenuous, requiring exertion such as walking over wet, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities. The work requires average agility and dexterity. Travel to remote study sites may be required via boats, small aircraft, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and/or on foot. Extended periods of camping in tents or cabins in remote field camps may occur. Incumbent must be able to cope with the pressure of short time deadlines, responsibilities of logistics to remote areas, cultural conflicts, and adverse weather conditions. The incumbent may be required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Work Environment: The work requires both office and outdoor work. The office is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. The work requires both office and outdoor work. The office is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. Frequent travel by various means of surface and air transportation is required to attend meetings and to conduct field work. A variety of temperature and weather extremes may be encountered while in the field. The incumbent may be subject to large numbers of biting insects and may be required to work in close proximity to large animals such as deer, elk, bear and moose. In addition, the incumbent may be exposed to work situations involving hazardous substances, and must comply with FWS health and safety policies, including use of appropriate safety clothing and equipment. Following proper safety training and in limited instances, he/she may need to carry a firearm for personal protection from wildlife. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, or property. The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or Foreign National who meets both Immigration and Annual Appropriations Laws. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. You will be required to sign a Pathways Internship Participant Agreement. You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You are required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. Housing may be available for this position. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, the duration of the Pathways Internship in the excepted service is counted as a trial period. During this time, your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, academic standing, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification