Agricultural Scientist (Student Trainee / Graduate Student)

Department of Agriculture

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Environmental Systems Division

Summary
This job is open to
Duties
Requirements
How you will be evaluated
Required documents
How to apply

Summary

Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and career-ready skills. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited trade school, technical/vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.

With this project, you'll support a program through research and data analytics.

Summary

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Posted this week · Apply by 06/30/26

Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 30, 2026

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)

Work site options

Telework eligible: Not applicable, this is a remote position.

Remote job: Yes

Relocation expenses reimbursed: No

Salary: $0 - $0 without compensation

Pay scale & grade

GS 00

Promotion potential: None

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule: Part-time - Flexible Schedule: Monday-Friday - 10 Hours Per Week

Travel Required: Not required

Appointment type: Internships

Occupations and job series

0401 General Natural Resources Management And Biological Sciences

Supervisory status: No

Federal service type: This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union: No

Drug test: No

Security clearance: Not Required

Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

Credentialing

Financial disclosure required: No; Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number: SOS-12985910-26-KMF

Control number: 873389200

This job is open to

Help

Students

Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.

Clarification from the agency

Students who are enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.

Duties

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Prepare a detailed report that involves research/data analyses using online sources on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) (cyanotoxin producers) in freshwater bodies/systems (lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, canals etc.).
Analyze data to identify science and research gaps and compile data for report.
Interview Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB ) researchers in the nation (organized by the Supervisor).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

To participate in this Program, you must:

Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S National studying in the U.S. or abroad. International students on valid visas may participate if they meet applicable immigration, visa, and agency authorities.
Be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.
Be in good academic standing as defined by your institution.
Commit to volunteering 8 - 20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.
Complete all required onboarding documentation assigned by the Federal agency and your academic institution.
Agree to volunteer. This position is unpaid. No compensation, stipends, or hiring preference will be granted from this work. You may use this volunteer experience to qualify for future jobs you choose to apply for.
Agree to understanding volunteers are not Federal employees.

Qualifications

Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs. Specifically, applicants should have:
- Strong interest in Natural or Agricultural Sciences (Project requirements and scope will depend on and also challenge the experience and educational level of the student).

Education

To qualify, you must be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution. You also must be in good academic standing as defined by your institution. Attach a copy of your transcripts to your application package for verification.

Additional information

Student volunteers must complete all required safety training, background checks, and comply with agency security protocols.

Participation must be with the permission of the institution at which the volunteer intern is enrolled.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applicants are encouraged to address their education, experience, and motivation for applying for this opportunity with the Department of Agriculture on their resume.

Experience is defined as paid, unpaid, volunteer or other experiences as it demonstrates the knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs in this announcement.

Help

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

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.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
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.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete 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://www.usajobs.gov/), all 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://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.

Agency contact information

Kilinda Franklin

Phone: 301-837-8766
Email: Kilinda.Franklin@usda.gov

Address: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20250
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.

Required Documents

Help

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume (two or fewer pages) showing:

Your work experience to include start and end dates.
Education information, such as the name of your school and dates of attendance.
Any knowledge, skills or abilities you've gained through education that relate to the project.

2. Proof of current enrollment not less than half-time in a trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

How to Apply

Help

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.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
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.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.