Pathways Student Trainee - Loan Assistant/Specialist (Realty) null

About the United States Department of Agriculture

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a federal executive department responsible for developing and executing policy on farming, agriculture, forestry, and food. Its mission includes promoting agricultural trade, ensuring food safety, conserving natural resources, and supporting rural communities through various programs and initiatives.

Your role

About the position:

This position in USDA Rural Development serves in a developmental trainee capacity. The incumbent receives extensive on-the-job training in a variety of routine tasks that will provide experience and technical competence in the methods, procedures, principles, theories, and techniques utilized in the performance of various loan and/or grant program functions.

Duties:

• Serves as a trainee observing, learning, and assisting others in performing a variety of routine tasks.
• Gain experience and technical competence in the methods, procedures, principles, theories, and techniques utilized in administering Rural Development loans and/or grant programs.
• Providing information to the public.
• Initiating and preparing correspondence.
• Maintaining records, reports and files, and assisting in application processing and servicing for various loan and/or grant programs within Rural Development.

Training & development

As an intern, gain hands-on experience in Rural Development loan and grant programs by observing and assisting in routine tasks, and develop skills in public communication, correspondence, and record-keeping. Throughout the internship, assist in application processing and servicing, enhancing your technical competence in administering these programs.

Salary & benefits

The salary for the role ranges from $35,499 - $45,982 per year.

If you join as a full-time employee, you will get the following benefits:

• Competitive annual salaries with cost of living increases
• Promotional opportunities
• Vacation and sick leave
• Health and life insurance
• Retirement plan
• 401K equivalent, with up to a 5% matching government contribution
• 10 paid federal holidays
• Family Friendly Leave
• Flexible hours and alternate work schedules
• Telework arrangements may be available
• Possible student loan repayment
• Recruitment and Relocation Bonuses may be offered for difficult-to-fill positions

Career progression

Interns may be non-competitively converted to a term, career-conditional or career appointment within 120 days following successful completion of all their educational and work requirements by 5 CFR 362.204. Upon successful completion of the Pathways Internship Program requirements by 5 CFR 362.204 (work experience hours, satisfactory performance, educational requirements, mandatory training completion, etc.) you may be non-competitively converted to a term, career­ conditional or career appointment within 120 days to a:

• Loan Assistant/Specialist (Realty) GS-1165-05/07/09 career ladder position.
• The full performance level (FPL) of the position to which converted may be up to the GS-09 level.

Work-life balance

Interns at the USDA typically enjoy a supportive work environment that encourages a healthy work-life balance, enabling them to excel in their role while also maintaining personal well-being and interests outside of work.

Culture & vibe

At the USDA, interns often find themselves immersed in a collaborative and inclusive culture, where teamwork, diversity, and innovation are celebrated, fostering a dynamic and enriching learning experience.

About you

Conditions of employment:

• You must be a US Citizen at the time of Non-Competitive conversion to a career-conditional appointment.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Must be in good academic standing as defined by the educational institution.
• Complete at least 640 hrs of work experience before completion of degree.
• Enrolled at least half-time at a qualifying educational institution.
• A signed participant agreement is required for employment under Pathways.
• Satisfactory Background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of a two-year trial period.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.

Qualification:

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

• For the GS-03 grade level: Applicants must have completed 1 full academic year of post-high school study.
• For the GS-04 grade level: Applicants must have completed 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree.

At the undergraduate level, completed education that has not led to possession of a degree is credited based on its relationship to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. For example, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education.

Additional information: 

Student Interns must continue to meet the Pathways Program requirements throughout the appointment. Incumbents will be required to provide proof of continued enrollment and good standing (as defined by the educational institution), each semester or grading period throughout the internship program. Failure to do so will result in termination of the appointment.

The Internship Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a variety of qualifying educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore career paths related to their academic fields of study or career interest.

Sources

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• intern.usajobs.gov
• youtube.com/@USDARD
• help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/benefits