Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Student Trainee (General)

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
St. Louis District; Operations, Readiness and Regulatory Division - Rend Lake Project Office
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: Position(s) will be filled under the Department of the Army Pathways Intern Program. Click here for more information on Pathways program participation.

Pathways Internship positions provide for development and training. Assignments become more responsible as incumbent increases knowledge and skills through work experience and academic training.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/12/2024 to 01/15/2025
Salary
$34,803 to - $41,985 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 2
Location
4 vacancies in the following location:
Benton, IL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel occasionally for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Internships
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CERG245640039210PI
Control number
823625500

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualifications" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

Videos

Duties

Help
  • Pathways Internship positions provide for development and training. Assignments become more responsible as incumbent increases knowledge and skills through work experience and academic training. At the full-performance level, you will be expected to:
  • Performs duties incident to the public utilization of the grounds and facilities within a reservoir area.
  • Serves as a guide to visitors and provides information relative to the project and its facilities.
  • Explains the recreation program, laws, policies and regulations and local application as needed.
  • Explains fee policies and collects fees as required.
  • May patrol an assigned area for detection of unauthorized use, vandalism, fire, theft, safety, lettering, etc., reports to supervisor for action as required.
  • At the full-performance level, such as the GS-09 or GS-11, you will be expected to:
  • Prescribe and implement resource management actions that promote biodiversity and native species re-establishment.
  • Advise visitors concerning safety, fire prevention, and proper use of recreations facilities.
  • Develop and conduct interpretive talks and guided tour programs.
  • Participate in the development of various planning documents, including Master Plans and Operational Management Plans (OMP), for management of the project's man-made and natural resources.
  • Assist with the coordination of short-range planning and execution of all activities related to recreation and park administration.
  • Participate in conservation, preservation, restoration and use of project natural and cultural resources.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • Two year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • The incumbent of this position is required to be a current student in good standing and maintain a cumulative and term grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or equivalent for the duration of the Pathways Program.
  • The incumbent of this position is required to travel back and forth daily to the duty station at Rend Lake in Benton, IL.
  • The incumbent of this position is required to submit to Drug Testing.
  • May be required to perform firefighting duties and/or rescue people endangered by fire on Project lands.
  • May be required to assist in the operation of flood control gates to control water levels on waterways.
  • May be required to obtain boat operator license to operate vessels under 26 feet in length.
  • Must possess or obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.
  • Must possess a valid State motor vehicle operator's license for the class of vehicle being operated based on site specific, job-related requirements and must maintain this license.
  • May be required to obtain non-heavy equipment operator license(s) for items such Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV) and trailers to haul supplies and materials to job sites.
  • This position requires incumbent to wear and maintain prescribed uniform.
  • This position requires operation of hand and power tools.
  • This position requires work in all types of weather (e.g., heat, cold, rain, wind, etc.).
  • Position may require more than one type of shift during the same work week to include days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Work hours may be reduced or eliminated during periods of school attendance.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Students who are eligible for participation in the Department of the Army Internship Program
Positions are open to current students pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate in an accredited high school, college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution on at least a half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled). Short-term training programs (e.g., several two-week programs completed) are not considered an academic course of study.

Internship for current students in good standing at an accredited education.

For this internship, you must be able to work full-time during the Summer Semester with the option to work during school year as well with management approval.

This intern position is designed to prepare a student trainee for employment after graduation as a Park Ranger or Natural Resource Specialist. Interns will be assigned tasks designed to increase familiarity with the target occupation in a real world work environment.

This opportunity follows a standard promotional path:

  1. Internship selection will be made at the GS-02. A student qualifies for this level if they've received a high school diploma or completed a General Education Diploma (GED) program on or by May 31, 2025.
  2. Within 120 days after completion of Internship requirements, you may be eligible for conversion to the entry-level for the target occupation. Entry level for these positions are typically at the GS-05 or GS-07 level. The actual grade level at the time of conversion depends on academic achievement and other factors.
  3. The full performance level of this position is GS-09 or GS-11
  4. Progression from the entry-level to the full performance level for this occupation will depend on successful completion of all requirements for promotion. Promotions may be considered after a year at each grade level, but are not guaranteed to occur on a specific time schedule.
See requirements for conversion to permanent or term position in the "Additional Information" section below.

To qualify for a Pathways Internship as a GS-02, students must have completed high school or a GED diploma.

For qualification purposes, an academic year is computed as follows:
  • At the undergraduate level, successfully completed education that has not led to possession of a degree is credited based on its relationship to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. For example, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. Four years of progressive study or 120 semester hours meets the degree requirements. Additional credit cannot be given for duplicate course work.
  • For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school.
  • An academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 academic year of full-time study. This determination is made based on normal course loads for a full year of study in the graduate program. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.
  • When academic credit is expressed in contract months, units, or other terms that differ from conventional semester or quarter hours, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide an interpretation of such credits from the appropriate institution in order to equate them to the semester or quarter hours specified in the standard.

NOTE: If your college, vocational, trade, technical or high schools' definition of "academic year" differs from above, you must submit proof of this difference (e.g., copy of course catalog that defines an academic year). Absent this documentation, you will screened for academic qualifications based on the academic hours as defined in the bullets above.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Grade Point Average
  • Learning
  • Oral Communication
  • Teamwork

Education

To qualify for a Pathways Internship as a GS-02, students must have completed high school or a GED diploma by May 31, 2025. Note: You must submit transcripts or proof of continuing enrollment/acceptance for eligibility.

This occupation has specific educational requirements for entry and applicants must show evidence that their planned academic program will meet those requirements (i.e. transcript reflecting enrollment in applicable programs). Students who graduate without meeting those requirements may not be converted to the target position and could be separated from federal service. Educational requirements for conversion to the target position are:
Park Ranger Series
Natural Resources Specialist Series

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

This is a student internship opportunity. Your transcripts are a required part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Additional information

Rend Lake was built as a joint project by the Illinois Department of Conservation, the Rend Lake Conservancy District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Today Rend Lake serves as a destination spot for more 1.5 million of recreating visitors each year. The lake also provides downstream flood damage reduction, provides water to over 60 communities and provides fish and wildlife conservation areas. With marinas, boating, water skiing, camp sites, nature trails, golf, picnicking, swimming, fishing, and hunting, Rend Lake is one of the premier vacation spots in Southern Illinois.

  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship, as applicable.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • This is a Career Field (CF) 18 - Engineers and Scientist position.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • You may claim military spouse preference.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
Eligibility requirements for conversion to a permanent or term position. Interns must:
  • Be a U.S. Citizen at the time of conversion;
  • Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program prior to or concurrent with completion of academic requirements;
  • Complete their educational requirements (as specified in the announcement);
  • Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualification standard, including any applicable positive education requirement and/or selective placement factors and any other special qualifications requirements and conditions of employment (e.g. medical standards) appropriate for the specific competitive service position to which the intern will be converted;
  • Successfully complete all the requirements of the Internship Program as defined in the agency-participant agreement; and
  • Perform their job successfully as documented through performance evaluations and/or completion of an Individual Development Plan (IDP).

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of two quality categories: Ideal Candidate and Eligible Candidate. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

  • Ideal: This category will be used for those candidates pursuing a career in Natural Resources, Biological Sciences, Outdoor Recreation, Law Enforcement, Communications, Agriculture, or related fields and have the highest grade point average; have documented paid or volunteer work experience in the related field.
  • Eligible: This category will be used for those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications of the position.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.