Clarification from the agency

? United States Citizens who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment on a full-time basis in an accredited institution ? Indian Preference Eligibles (must submit a BIA Form 4432)

As a Student Trainee (Forestry), GS-0499-2/3/4, your typical work assignments and/or responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

As a student trainee, you will:

• Serve in a developmental role as a forester program performing tasks such as marking and/or thinning timber; take simple measurements such as running compass lines, measure and record distances, heights, diameters and growth of trees. Learn plant terminology and identification, soils classification, and use of aerial photos.
• Become familiar with the proper forestry instruments to perform the work and the proper care of those instruments.
• Receiving orientation pertaining to the organizational structure of the Bureau and its methods of managing trust forest resources.
• Receiving other assignments to broaden knowledge of BIA activities in the related program functions, such as wildlife and recreation.

The full performance level of this position is GS-4. Identification of 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.

TELEWORK: Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.

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
• Full-time enrollment
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Maintain a valid Pathways Program Participant Agreement
• Enrolled in an accredited college or university seeking a bachelor's degree in Forestry

Physical Requirements: Incumbents must possess the physical capabilities required for the position such as; long periods of standing, walking over rough, steep, or rocky surfaces, recurring stooping, reaching, bending, as well as occasional lifting heavy objects; up to 50 pounds. Any condition, which would cause you to be a hazard to yourself or to others, will disqualify you for employment.

Failure to meet any of these requirements will disqualify you for employment.

Travel may be required for summer rotational assignments and other developmental activities.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Indian Preference applies
• Eligibility Documentation Required (DD-214, BIA Form 4432, etc.)
• You may be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period.
• Background security investigation will be required of all new hires.
• Must complete and maintain a Pathways Program Participant Agreement
• Must be enrolled full-time or accepted for enrollment full-time
• Selective Service: Male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986, or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
• A background security investigation will be required. Appointment is subject to successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• This position is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.

Qualifications

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university seeking a bachelor's degree that is directly related to the program field, such as forestry, natural resources management, and biological sciences related to forestry including agricultural engineering, agricultural economics, animal husbandry, animal science, biological sciences, geographic information systems, horticulture, range management, and soil science.

Basic qualification requirements include:
-For the GS-2 grade level: Completion of high school or GED diploma.
-For the GS-3 grade level: Completion of 1 academic year of post-high school study.
-For the GS-4 grade level: Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements for Pathways positions, including general and/ or specialized experience as defined by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or by the BIA. Any positive education requirements and selective placement factors must be obtained prior to applicant consideration. In addition, the applicant must meet any additional conditions of employment following appointment.
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.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

NOTE DOCUMENTATION OF STUDENT ENROLLMENT STATUS: If this is your first year or you do not have a transcript, 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.

Students who have not declared a major or are enrolled in an unrelated degree program, may be selected and hired. However, their continued employment is contingent upon meeting the educational degree program eligibility requirements listed below within a prescribed timeframe. Students enrolled in an unrelated degree program will be required to sign a statement agreeing that they will change their degree program.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your application, including your answers to the assessment questions to ensure that you meet eligibility requirements and minimum qualifications. Please ensure that your resume is detailed sufficiently to provide the selecting official with enough information to make an informed selection.

Your resume will be evaluated after the closing date to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position described above. Qualified candidates will then be further evaluated to assess the quality, depth, and complexity of your accomplishments, experience, and education in relation to the education requirements.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If your responses to the assessment questions cannot be supported by your resume, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your experience.

Qualified Indian preference candidates will be referred to the hiring manager in order of veterans' preference.

You may preview the assessment questions here in the https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10138358.

Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 90 days from the closing date.