The BIA Office of Trust Services' Pathways Internship Program connects current college students to paid internships throughout the Bureau of Indian Affairs and with Tribal Nations across the United States. With meaningful projects, rotational assignments, and multi-semester opportunities, Pathways prepares interns for an impactful career in public service and offers a direct pipeline to full-time employment with the BIA or Tribal Nations upon graduation.
Summary
The BIA Office of Trust Services' Pathways Internship Program connects current college students to paid internships throughout the Bureau of Indian Affairs and with Tribal Nations across the United States. With meaningful projects, rotational assignments, and multi-semester opportunities, Pathways prepares interns for an impactful career in public service and offers a direct pipeline to full-time employment with the BIA or Tribal Nations upon graduation.
Salary listed is for Rest of United States (RUS); however, salary will be set in accordance with pay scale for selected location.
Pay scale & grade
GS 2 - 4
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Location Negotiable After Selection
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Multiple - NTE Intern Appointment may be extended in increments of up to one year. There is no limit on the number of extensions that may be granted, so long as the Intern NTE maintains eligibility in accordance with the Pathways Internship Agreement.
• 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)
Pathways Interns, also called "Student Trainees", fulfill a wide variety of roles and functions for the offices or programs to which they are assigned. In general, though, Student Trainees can expect to:
Receive formal and on-the-job training to develop the knowledge and skills required for entry-level positions within the BIA.
Be mentored by higher-graded employees and specialists in a specific specialty area.
Learn about the nation-to-nation relationship between the federal government and federally recognized Tribal Nations.
Develop an understanding of how the BIA and Tribal Nations work together to oversee, protect, manage, and utilize Indian Trust Lands and restricted lands.
Receive developmental assignments to broaden their knowledge of BIA activities and expand or deepen their understanding of their chosen specialty areas within BIA.
Requirements for Internship Appointments: GS-2 grade level: Completion of high school or GED diploma. GS-3 grade level: Completion of 1 academic year of post-high school study. GS-4 grade level: Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree.
NOTE: 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 education beyond high school must be accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
PATHWAYS PROGRAM NOTICE - PRIORITY HIRING AREAS: Internship assignments are based on BIA and Tribal hiring needs. The disciplines listed below will be given priority consideration. Other specialty areas will still be considered.
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 Full-time or Accepted for Enrollment Full-time (12 credit hours)
Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
Compliance with the terms and conditions of the Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement
Enrolled in an accredited college or university seeking a bachelor's degree related to the program area (as identified in the 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
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (title 25, USC Section 472).
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
This application will allow you to apply for a general internship position with the BIA. If selected, you will have the opportunity to select which BIA office, program, or Tribal Nation you would like to intern with.
Education
The program is open to individuals pursuing Certifications, Associate's degrees, Bachelor's degrees, Business degrees, Master's degrees, Law degrees, and Doctorates per the requirements section of this announcement. Native American and Alaska Native students are highly encouraged to apply!
Degree program areas include natural resources management, geography, agricultural engineering, agricultural economics, animal husbandry, animal science, horticulture, rangeland management, soil conservation or science, environmental sciences, fisheries and wildlife biology, forestry and other related biological sciences.
For graduate education, one academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
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.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education which shows 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: FOREIGN EDUCATION
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.
If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
Additional information
All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2024 Salary Tables here and select the appropriate pay chart. If no specific
chart is listed for your specific geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart.
NOTE: This vacancy is utilizing the Nationwide Special Salary Table Number 001M along with applicable chart for designated geographic location.
The full performance level of this position is GS-4. 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. Students may be promoted if all eligibility and qualification requirements are met. For promotion, the student must have no performance issues, be in good academic standing, remain in compliance with the Pathways Internship Participant Agreement, and meet the requirements for the grade level as described under the OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Schedule D, Pathways Internship Positions.
NOTE: Internship work periods and schedules vary. Students will be placed on "Leave Without Pay" or LWOP status during periods in which they are not actively interning, such as during the school year. LWOP is a temporary non-pay and non-duty status which is granted based upon a student's educational needs (5 CFR 630.101).
Students will be required to provide a copy of up-to-date transcripts and upcoming class schedule (unofficial may be acceptable) at the end/beginning of each academic semester for verification of enrollment and academic standing as proof of continuing eligibility for participation in the Pathways Program.
TELEWORK: Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of the position are suitable for CORE/Scheduled telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED. ANY RELOCATION EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REPORTING FOR DUTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE.
This position has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program and requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle in order to properly carry out his/her assigned duties but whose principal duties are not operating a motor vehicle and his/her position is not classified as a motor vehicle operator. The incumbent will be required initially and annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license.
CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 80 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp .
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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
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.
DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/application does not support your Assessment Questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.
Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472). Verification Form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. Indian Preference eligibles not currently employed in Federal service may be appointed under the Excepted Service Appointment Authority Schedule A, 213.3112(a)(7). Consideration will be given to Non-Indian applicants in the absence of qualified Indian Preference eligibles. For more information, please visit: https://www.bia.gov/jobs. Qualified Indian preference candidates will be referred to the hiring manager in order of veterans' preference.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The following documents are required for this position:
Resume which details work experience including dates worked (mm/yy-mm/yy); position title; position series and grade (if federal service); work schedule; hours worked per week; relevant duties performed; supervisor with contact information, and 3 professional references and contact information (Do not include current/former supervisors), etc. Important! If your resume does not show complete information for each job entry, your application will be considered incomplete. Specifically:
NOTE: We highly recommend generating a federal resume using the USAJOBS resume builder. Please ensure all fields are complete, including estimated hours worked per week. Please include ALL work experiences, previous internships, volunteer experiences, and research experiences to ensure your complete work history is accurately represented,.
On-line Assessment Questionnaire
Veteran's documentation - (if applicable) VA letter on VA letterhead stating your overall combined rating, SF-15, DD-214 (Member 4 Copy Only) reflecting an honorable discharge and dates of active duty military service.
BIA Form 4432: Verification of Indian Preference for Employment is required if claiming Indian Preference. The Form BIA-4432 must be completed and signed as stated in the Instructions on the Form and must be submitted with your application for Federal employment (if claiming Indian preference).
Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, an official transcript may be requested at a later time. If you are a freshman, new student, or new transfer and don't have an unofficial transcript available, you may substitute the unofficial transcript with another official document serving as proof of enrollment. You must upload and submit at least oneof the following documents (that documents your name, enrollment, and educational institution name):
A copy of your Admissions / Enrollment Letter.
A copy of your upcoming Course Schedule.
A letter from your Academic Advisor, Admissions Office, or other official source confirming your current enrollment in the educational institution, ideally on university letterhead.
If you are unable to apply online, require reasonable accommodation in the application process if you are an applicant with a disability, or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM Eastern TimeON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
If your application package is incomplete in any way, you will not be considered for this position, and requests for extensions will not be granted. Please double check your application package before you submit it.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FROM OR ACCEPTED BY THIS OFFICE.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
1. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
3. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
4. You will be automatically redirected to the next stage of the online application, which will include the Required Online
Assessment Questionnaire. You must complete this stage to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the
required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login ); all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
PLEASE NOTE - NO APPLICATION MATERIAL WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA E-MAIL.
BIA Strategic Recruitment - Trust
301 NW 6th
Room 311
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required for this position:
Resume which details work experience including dates worked (mm/yy-mm/yy); position title; position series and grade (if federal service); work schedule; hours worked per week; relevant duties performed; supervisor with contact information, and 3 professional references and contact information (Do not include current/former supervisors), etc. Important! If your resume does not show complete information for each job entry, your application will be considered incomplete. Specifically:
NOTE: We highly recommend generating a federal resume using the USAJOBS resume builder. Please ensure all fields are complete, including estimated hours worked per week. Please include ALL work experiences, previous internships, volunteer experiences, and research experiences to ensure your complete work history is accurately represented,.
On-line Assessment Questionnaire
Veteran's documentation - (if applicable) VA letter on VA letterhead stating your overall combined rating, SF-15, DD-214 (Member 4 Copy Only) reflecting an honorable discharge and dates of active duty military service.
BIA Form 4432: Verification of Indian Preference for Employment is required if claiming Indian Preference. The Form BIA-4432 must be completed and signed as stated in the Instructions on the Form and must be submitted with your application for Federal employment (if claiming Indian preference).
Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, an official transcript may be requested at a later time. If you are a freshman, new student, or new transfer and don't have an unofficial transcript available, you may substitute the unofficial transcript with another official document serving as proof of enrollment. You must upload and submit at least oneof the following documents (that documents your name, enrollment, and educational institution name):
A copy of your Admissions / Enrollment Letter.
A copy of your upcoming Course Schedule.
A letter from your Academic Advisor, Admissions Office, or other official source confirming your current enrollment in the educational institution, ideally on university letterhead.
If you are unable to apply online, require reasonable accommodation in the application process if you are an applicant with a disability, or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 PM Eastern TimeON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
If your application package is incomplete in any way, you will not be considered for this position, and requests for extensions will not be granted. Please double check your application package before you submit it.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FROM OR ACCEPTED BY THIS OFFICE.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
1. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
3. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
4. You will be automatically redirected to the next stage of the online application, which will include the Required Online
Assessment Questionnaire. You must complete this stage to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the
required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login ); all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
PLEASE NOTE - NO APPLICATION MATERIAL WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA E-MAIL.
BIA Strategic Recruitment - Trust
301 NW 6th
Room 311
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
