Summary 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. Responsibilities Pathways Interns, also called "Student Trainees", fulfill a wide variety of roles and functions for the offices or programs to which they are assigned. In general, though, Student Trainees can expect to: Receive formal and on-the-job training to develop the knowledge and skills required for entry-level positions within the BIA. Be mentored by higher-graded employees and specialists in a specific specialty area. Learn about the nation-to-nation relationship between the federal government and federally recognized Tribal Nations. Develop an understanding of how the BIA and Tribal Nations work together to oversee, protect, manage, and utilize Indian Trust Lands and restricted lands. Receive developmental assignments to broaden their knowledge of BIA activities and expand or deepen their understanding of their chosen specialty areas within BIA. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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. Education The program is open to individuals pursuing Certifications, Associate's degrees, Bachelor's degrees, Business degrees, Master's degrees, Law degrees, and Doctorates per the requirements section of this announcement. Native American and Alaska Native students are highly encouraged to apply! Degree program areas include natural resources management, geography, agricultural engineering, agricultural economics, animal husbandry, animal science, horticulture, rangeland management, soil conservation or science, environmental sciences, fisheries and wildlife biology, forestry and other related biological sciences. For 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. 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. NOTE: IF YOUR SCHOOL'S DEFINITION OF ONE YEAR OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDY IS LESS THAN 30 SEMESTER HOURS (OR 45 QUARTER HOURS) YOU MUST PROVIDE PROOF. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education which shows the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION NOTE DOCUMENTATION OF STUDENT ENROLLMENT STATUS: If you do not have a transcript because you are a first year or a returning student, you must upload and attach a copy of your degree plan/curriculum and any other acceptable proof to verify currently accepted or enrolled. Examples of acceptable proof are enrollment course schedule or plan, registration of current course work, advisor approved degree checklist, or letter of acceptance that is on college or university official letter head. 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. Additional Information All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2024 Salary Tables here and select the appropriate pay chart. If no specific chart is listed for your specific geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart. NOTE: This vacancy is utilizing the Nationwide Special Salary Table Number 001M along with applicable chart for designated geographic location. The full performance level of this position is GS-4. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed. Students may be promoted if all eligibility and qualification requirements are met. For promotion, the student must have no performance issues, be in good academic standing, remain in compliance with the Pathways Internship Participant Agreement, and meet the requirements for the grade level as described under the OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Schedule D, Pathways Internship Positions. NOTE: Internship work periods and schedules vary. Students will be placed on "Leave Without Pay" or LWOP status during periods in which they are not actively interning, such as during the school year. LWOP is a temporary non-pay and non-duty status which is granted based upon a student's educational needs (5 CFR 630.101). Students will be required to provide a copy of up-to-date transcripts and upcoming class schedule (unofficial may be acceptable) at the end/beginning of each academic semester for verification of enrollment and academic standing as proof of continuing eligibility for participation in the Pathways Program. Visit https://www.bia.gov/service/pathways for more information about the Pathways experience. TELEWORK: Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of the position are suitable for CORE/Scheduled telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED. ANY RELOCATION EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REPORTING FOR DUTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE. This position has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program and requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle in order to properly carry out his/her assigned duties but whose principal duties are not operating a motor vehicle and his/her position is not classified as a motor vehicle operator. The incumbent will be required initially and annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license. CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 80 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp . .