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Student Trainee (Soil Scientist)

Employer
USDA
Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills
  • 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.

Conditions of Employment

  • 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
  • Enrolled at least half-time at a qualifying educational institution
  • 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.
  • The candidate's academic and career goals must be related to the position to which appointed.

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.

Job Field:
Water and Soil Resources
Job Type:
Seasonal, Temporary, Internship
Location Detail:
Many vacancies in the following locations:

Flagstaff, AZ
Globe, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hanford, CA
Sonora, CA
Templeton, CA
Waverly, IA
Salina, KS
Meridian, MS
Tupelo, MS
Lincoln, NE
North Platte, NE
Hamilton Square, NJ
Juneau, WI
Onalaska, WI
Morgantown, WV
Salary:
$34,803 - $45,982 per year
Job Benefits:

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Learn more about federal benefits.

Application Deadline:
Link to Full Job Posting:

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