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, you will: Serve in a developmental role to gain experience by working with higher graded employees/specialists in support of the mission of the BIA.
• Will receive both formal and on-the-job training to develop the required knowledge and skill to successfully perform the duties of the position pertaining to the functions and operations of the organization and the specialty area.
• Emphasis on the oversight, protection, management and utilization of federal Indian trust or restricted lands.
• Assembling data, consolidating and preparing reports, gathering and analyzing requested information for a variety of projects.
• Providing information to others and following up to assure completion.
• Receive other developmental assignments to broaden the student's knowledge of the BIA activities in related program areas and assist them in acquiring the competencies of a target position.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Indian Preference applies
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Eligibility Documentation Required (DD-214, BIA Form 4432, etc.)
• You may be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
• Must be suitable for Federal employment and pass a Security investigation
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
• Must complete and maintain a Pathways Program Participant Agreement
• Must be enrolled full-time or accepted for enrollment full-time or part-time basis as identified by your academic institution
• Seeking a degree in a career field directly related to the program area you are hired for

Qualifications

PATHWAYS PROGRAM NOTICE! Internship work assignment opportunities are based on BIA needs. Under this announcement, real estate services, land titles and records, minerals and energy, and forestry management programs will be given priority consideration. However, selections may be made for other program areas, including for the following targeted positions.

1. Environmental
2. Archeology
3. Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences
4. Cartographic
5. Rangeland or Agriculture Management
6. Soil Conservation
7. Forestry
8. Accounting
9. Civil Engineering
10. Petroleum Engineering
11. Legal Instruments Examining
12. Realty
13. Irrigation System Operation
14. Hydrology

Applicants must either be enrolled in an accredited college or university and seeking a bachelor's degree or higher that is directly related to the program area (see education section below) OR students who have not declared yet or is seeking a degree that is unrelated to the program area, may be hired under the Pathways Internship Program. However, their continued participation and employment is contingent upon them obtaining the educational eligibility requirements for the program they were hired under within a prescribed timeframe.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This internship opportunity will start winter break of 2022 and/or summer break of 2023.

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 or Accepted for Enrollment on a Full-time or Part-time basis as identified by your academic institution.

• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

• Compliance with the terms and conditions of the Pathways Internship Program 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
-Accept job placement offer and relocate if necessary.

Eligible students may be offered the use of incentives such as Recruitment / Relocation and /or Student Loan Repayment assistance as appropriate. However, offers are contingent upon Agency approval, determination of hard to fill positions in area, and other factors such as funding availability, superior qualifications, and successful completion of program.

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

How you will be evaluated

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

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 be evaluated for this internship job based on how well you meet the qualifications above, including in the online Assessment Questionnaire. For applicants to be considered, all of the Required Documents must be included (uploaded) in their application packets: resume, transcript and/or proof of enrollment, and BIA Form 4432.
Qualified Indian preference candidates will be referred to the hiring manager in order of veterans' preference.
Competencies measured include:

• Clerical

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.

Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and awards during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. If referred, all relevant documents including performance appraisals and awards submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the hiring official for review.

You may preview the assessment questions here in the https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11624139.

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