Job Title: Student Trainee (Soil Conservation/Range Management/Forestry/Engineering)

The trainee positions advertised are developmental positions designed to provide intensive and specialized training in the field of work related to the student's major field of study.  Work will become increasingly more complex as the student masters skills and assignments and progresses through the program.  The training provides qualifying experience for a professional position upon graduation from college.

Soil conservation work includes:

--Accompanying soil conservationists to observe methods used in meeting resource conservation needs.

--Gathering and assembling data for use in basic conservation plans.

--Performing surveys used for design and preliminary layout work, participating in inspection of construction and making field notes.

Engineer work includes:

--Operating transit and level in obtaining survey information.

--Performing field survey work including topographic, cross section, profile or other surveys for use in the development of engineering plans by the professional engineer.

--Assisting with standard designs of simple drainage, erosion control or other engineering practices.

Range management work includes:

--Accompanying resource specialists to observe methods used in providing technical assistance in range conservation and management practices.

--Performing range site and condition surveys, prepares statements of management practices, and drafts material for conservation plans.

Forestry work includes:

--Assisting specialists in forested soils data collection.

--Accompanying specialists to observe methods used in providing technical assistance in forestry related resource management planning activities.

To be eligible for this program, applicants must be

--A college student enrolled or accepted for enrollment for at least a half-time course load at an accredited college or university.  Major field of study MUST be in a curriculum that leads to a position as a soil conservationist, ag/civil engineer, rangeland management specialist,  or a forester position.  Students must be pursuing a course of study related to the position they are applying for, i.e., soil conservation, natural resources/or other agriculture disciplines, such as agronomy, forestry, biological sciences, range management or civil/agricultural engineering.

--A student in good standing and having a record as a student that is in all respects predictive of graduation.  Students must maintain at least a 2.0 overall grade point average on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent, and maintain a 'C' or better at all times in the major field of study. 

--Graduating from college no earlier than the Fall of 2011;

--Available to work at least 2 summers and complete a minimum of 640 hours of work experience prior to graduation;

--Mobile to all locations throughout Idaho upon initial place and subsequent summers, as well as upon graduation;

--Interested in long-term permanent employment with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Idaho; and

--Able to meet all security, medical, and Federal eligibility requirements.

AND, in addition to the above program requirements:

--Applicants at the GS-2 level must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

--Applicants at the GS-3 level must have completed 1 academic year of post high school study (1 academic year equals 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours).

--Applicants at the GS-4 level must have completed 2 academic years of post high school study or have completed their Associates degree.

To qualify based on education, you must submit a photocopy of your high school diploma or latest college transcripts, or a list of courses with credit hours per class, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Application materials will not be returned.

Student trainee positions may be made permanent upon graduation if the student meets all qualification, eligibility, and educational requirements and is recommended for conversion.  To help you determine whether your degree will be qualifying for conversion, we are listing the educational requirements that must be met by graduation (see http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/index.asp for more information).

Soil Conservationist, GS-457: A Bachelor's degree in soil conservation or a closely related agricultural or natural resource field, such as soil science, agronomy, forestry, agricultural education, and agricultural engineering.  Upon graduation, transcripts must show at least 30 semester hours in a natural resource or agricultural field, including at least 12 semester hours in a combination of soils and crops or plant science.  Of the 12 semester hours, a minimum of 3 semester hours must be in soils and 3 semester hours in crop or plant science.

Rangeland Management Specialist, GS-454:  A Bachelor's degree in range management or a related discipline which included at least 42 semester hours in a combination of plant, animal, and soil sciences, and natural resources management including at least 18 semester hours in range management, 15 semester hours in directly related plant, animal, and soil sciences, and 9 semester hours of course work in related resource management subjects.

Forester, GS-460:  A Bachelor's degree in forestry or a related subject-matter field that included a total of at least 30 semester hours in any combination of biological, physical, or mathematical sciences or engineering, of which at least 24 semester hours were in forestry. Curriculum must include courses in each of the following areas: management of renewable resources, forest biology, and forest resources measurements and inventory.

Engineer, GS-800:  A Bachelor's degree in professional engineering, specifically civil engineering or agricultural engineering.

You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.

You must have and maintain a valid state driver's license.

A background security investigation will be required for all new appointments.

If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or you have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal Job.

You may need to work outdoors, often under adverse weather conditions.

You must sign a mobility agreement to accept relocation to other geographic locations.

You will be evaluated based upon a review of your entire application package, including the responses you provided on the job-specific questionnaire, that is required as part of the application process for these positions.  Your opportunity for consideration may depend on how thoroughly you have prepared your application.  If materials are not received, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible.

Please read this entire announcement carefully and be sure to include all required information.  

SCEP QUESTIONNAIRE

Please mark the block(s) which most accurately reflect your current situation, sign, date, and return this questionnaire with your other application materials:

I am currently:

__  Enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an institute of higher learning.

         Name of school/college: ______________________________________

__  Not enrolled/accepted for enrollment at an institute of higher learning.

__  Other:  _________________________________________________

I am currently a:

__   High School Student

__   College Freshman

__   College Sophomore

__   College Junior

__   College Senior

__   Graduate Student

I am currently seeking my:

__  High School Diploma or General Equivalent Diploma (GED)

__  Vocational/Technical Certificate

__  Associate's Degree

__  Bachelor's Degree

__  Master's Degree

__  Doctorate Degree

What is the highest degree you plan on seeking (with no break in enrollment)?

__  High School Diploma

__  Vocational/Technical Certificate

__  Associate's Degree

__  Bachelor's Degree

__  Master's Degree

__  Doctorate Degree

My current/expected major is:  ____________________________________________________

My current/expected minor is:  ____________________________________________________

The estimated graduation date (month/year) for my current degree is:  __________________

What SCEP position(s) will you qualify for, or would you like to be considered?

Soil Conservationist,  Rangeland Management Specialist, Forester, Engineer

1. Explain your ability to work both as a team member and independently, including any leadership activities on a team.

2. What are your long range career goals and interests?

3. What knowledge or experience do you have in Agricultural and Natural Resources?

4.  Why do you believe you would be a good candidate for the SCEP program?

5.  How did you hear about the SCEP program and/or NRCS?

6. Comments/other information you would like us to know:

_____________________________________         

PRINTED NAME                                                                

_____________________________________          _______

SIGNATURE                                                                        DATE

The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) provides work experience that is directly related to the student's academic program and career goals.  This allows NRCS to discover first hand the abilities of a potential employee and gives managers the ability to evaluate the student's performance in real work situations.  The benefit to the student is exposure to public service while enhancing their educational goals and shaping their career choices.  Typically students work full-time during the summer and then are placed in a non-pay status to return to school during the fall.  Students under the SCEP may be non-competitively converted to career conditional appointments following completion of their academic and work experience requirements.

Students appointed under the SCEP are eligible for both health and life insurance coverage as long as they are expected to be employed under this appointment authority for at least one year and are expected to be in a pay status for at least one third of the total period of time from the date of their initial appointment to the date of the completion of the program.  Cost of the premiums are split between the employee and the agency.

Students are also eligible for federal retirement benefits, Thrift Savings Plan, paid leave, flexible work schedules and other federal benefits.  Housing subsidies and/or transportation costs may be offered on a case-by-case basis.

These jobs are being filled by an alternative hiring process and are not in the competitive service.

When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

The materials you send with your application will not be returned.

Send only those materials needed to evaluate your application.  Please do not place your application in a notebook or binder.

You must submit your application so that it will be received by the closing date of the announcement.  However, due to the volume of applications expected, applications received by the first cut-off date of January 4, 2010 will receive first consideration. Applications received after January 4, 2010 will be considered only if sufficient selections are not made from applicants in the first cut-off group.

This announcement will remain open until all positions are filled, or until March 31, 2010, whichever is earlier.

You must submit your application by mail or fax. Emailed applications will not be accepted.  Applications will not be returned. Please keep a copy of all materials needed for future announcements.

You must submit the Student Questionnaire with your application package.

Submit your application package to:

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

Attn: Human Resources

9173 W. Barnes Drive, Ste. C

Boise, ID 83709

OR fax to (208)685-6918

Applicants MUST submit the following:

1. OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment OR a resume. If using  a resume, it must include the following information:

• Announcement Number, title and grade applying for;
  
  
• Your full name, mailing address and phone numbers;
  
  
• Social Security Number;
  
  
• Country of Citizenship. U.S. Citizenship is required.
  
  
• Work experience (both paid and unpaid experience). List job titles, duties, employer's name and address; starting and ending dates; hours worked per week. Indicated  if we can contact your current supervisor.
  
  
• Education. List your high school, college, or university attended, majors, type and year of degrees received or total credits earned (specify semester or quarter hours).

2. Copy of your current college transcript that includes hours and grades. Unofficial is acceptable.

3. Proof of enrollment or acceptance for enrollment at an accredited institution of higher learning. Include major, classes, and semester/quarter hours.

4. SCEP Questionnaire stated in this announcement.

5. Veteran's Preference. If you served on active duty in the United States Military and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for Veteran's Preference. You must clearly identify and submit ALL proof of your claim for Veteran's Preference with your application in order to receive appropriate adjudication of your claim. See the VetGuide located at the OPM web site (http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp for all details and documentation requirements.

Forms may be accessed through the Office of Personnel Management web site at  www.opm.gov/forms/html.of.htm or by calling (208)378-5712.

Maria Wallior Phone: (208) 378-5712 Fax: (208) 685-6918 Email: maria.wallior@id.usda.gov

Or write: Natural Resources Conservation Service Attn: Human Resources 9173 W. Barnes Drive, Ste. C Boise, ID 83709 US Fax: (208) 685-6918

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications.  Selections will be made no later than April 30, 2010.  You will be notified of the outcome.

We want you to be successful in applying to this announcement.  If you need clarification on any of the requirement or more information, please contact us for assistance.