As a Student Trainee (Pathways), 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 and 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, with an emphasis on the oversight, protection, management and utilization of federal Indian trust or restricted lands, such as 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 the student in acquiring the competencies of a target position.

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

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: Bureau of Indian Affairs has determined that the duties of the position are NOT suitable for telework under any circumstances.

LWOP (LEAVE WITHOUT PAY/NONDUTY STATUS): Students will be placed on LWOP while attending school or completing academic requirements. The LWOP is a temporary nonpay and nonduty status (or absence from a prescheduled tour duty), which is granted based upon a student’s educational needs (5 CFR 630.101).

Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment full-time 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.

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.

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: The full performance level of this position is GS-4. A student may be promoted as long as all eligiblity 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.

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.

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

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

• 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).

Program Extensions: An Intern 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, so long as the Intern NTE maintains eligibility in accordance with the Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement:

• 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;

• Receiving a positive recommendation and/or evaluation to justify the extension from her or his supervisor; and

• Completing at least a half-time course load each term as determined by her or his educational institution.

Physical Requirements: Depending on the position being converted to, the employee may be required to 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.

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 about Indian preference or to obtain BIA Form 4432 application instructions, please see https://www.bia.gov/jobs. Interns will be appointed under Excepted Service Schedule D as provided for in 5 CFR 362.203(d).

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.