Summary RECRUITMENT & RELOCATION INCENTIVES MAY BE OFFERED Locations will be Negotiable: Applicants interested in locations not specifically listed on the announcement are encouraged to communicate/negotiate location availability during the interview stage. Positions filled utilizing Pathways Student Internship Authority, providing students enrolled in a variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with paid work opportunities in federal agencies while in school. Responsibilities Performs developmental assignments of limited complexity that involve field examinations of soils by soil boring with an auger. Works with a higher graded employee to make a determination of soil type and determine the amount of topsoil remaining. The trainee examines soil borings, then compares soil samples with descriptions and legends to tentatively classify soil type. Assists the MLRA Soil Survey Leader or designated employee in tabulating soil survey data. Assists in the maintenance of soil survey progress maps which indicate, by county, the location of areas mapped and the progress of soil surveys completed. Performs developmental assignments to enable the employee to identify farm boundaries on aerial photographs, lay out photo coverage for mapping, and place match lines on photos. Attends soil survey office meetings. Maintains accurate daily records of time distribution and work accomplishments and summarizes this information each pay period. Prepares and maintains various records and reports as required. Performs duties in a manner supportive of civil rights policy without regard to political affiliation, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, age, handicap, or national origin. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Program Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must meet the definition of a student that is, enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited technical or vocational school, two-year or four-year college or university, graduate or professional school. You must be taking at least a half-time academic course load leading to a degree or certificate. A certificate program is defined as a post-secondary education, in a qualifying educational institution, equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum. 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: Examples of relevant educational fields for this position include but are not limited to: Soil Science, Soil Genesis, Pedology, Soil Chemistry, Soil Physics, Soil fertility or biological, physical, or earth science or other soils-related disciplines that will allow applicants to qualify for the conversion requirements listed within the vacancy announcement upon graduation. Position Qualifications: Applicants must meet position qualifications requirements as shown below at the time of appointment. The agency must be able to verify that the education was completed successfully before the applicant can be appointed. Below is the education requirement to be qualified for this position: Completion of high school or possession of a GED diploma. Completion of 1 full academic year of post-high school study. Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree. One full academic year of undergraduate education is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours or the equivalent as defined by the accredited college or university. One full academic year of graduate education is defined as 18 semester hours or the equivalent as defined by the accredited college or university. 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. Conversion Information: Candidates selected from this announcement may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a permanent position in the competitive service, provided that all terms of the Internship Program are met and there is an available position. Conversion is not mandatory or guaranteed and is at agency discretion. Pathways Interns may convert to a permanent position in the same occupational series (e.g., GS-0470) as outlined in the intern's Pathways agreement. Upon conversion to the competitive service, this position will have a career ladder up to the GS-11 full performance level. To be eligible for conversion, you must satisfactorily complete all Pathways Program requirements: Complete at least 640 hours of work experience prior to graduation; Complete all mandatory training requirements; Meet performance expectations and be recommended for conversion; Meet suitability requirements; and Meet the position's Qualification Requirements of the associated occupational series as outlined in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, General Schedule Qualifications Standards. See the link below: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=0400-ndx GS-0470 Basic Requirement: Degree: soil science or a closely related discipline that included 30 semester hours or equivalent in biological, physical, or earth science, with a minimum of 15 semester hours in such subjects as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility. If selected you must report no later than June 2025 to begin the internship. Student Trainees will perform the following duties under direct supervision. Assignments will be developmental in nature and will assist the employee in gaining the competencies necessary for a career. This paid internship may offer additional Recruitment and Relocation incentives. This internship may allow for Student Load Repayment Program opportunities. Please see additional information in the announcement below. Education College 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 enrollment/acceptance, and/or current 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 Locality Pay: The salary for each location may vary depending on locality. Locality tables my be found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/. Applicants will be limited to 3 locations. Promotion Potential: 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. Physical Demands: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion related to conservation work requiring walking on rough terrain, jumping ditches and furrows, or climbing steep banks and similar activities. Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to operating agricultural equipment including tractors, caterpillars and a wide variety of attached implements such as cultivators, discs, plows, etc. There may be exposure to snow and ice conditions, and herbicide and chemical spray operations requiring safety precautions. Protective gear and clothing such as hard hat, boots, and gloves may be necessary. PLEASE NOTE: In the interest of filling these positions as efficiently as possible, we are requiring the following: If called for an interview, applicants must be available to interview within 3 business days of being contacted. If a tentative job offer is extended, selectee will have 2 business days in which to accept or decline. This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the position and other flexible work arrangements. Other flexibilities are possible dependent upon availability and/or the position and its associated duties. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor. Additional Selections: Selecting Officials may consider applicants in locations not listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA). Applicants should apply to the locations in each state(s) that is listed in this announcement, location will be discussed during interviews to assess interest in other area's within the state(s) of interest. Recruitment and Relocation Incentives may be offered. Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) may be authorized upon meeting Pathway Conversion eligibility requirements, if SLRP policy requirements are met and as Agency funding allows. 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 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale) each semester or grading period throughout the internship program. Failure to do so will result in termination of the appointment.