Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Logo
Position Title
Student Trainee (Pathways)
Agency
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Announcement Number
STIMP-23-12135159-CBXH-KP Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 to Monday, October 30, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
3. Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you never held the full performance level of this position?

-OR-

Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have you never held the full performance level of this position?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:

• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
 
(limit characters)
4. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:

• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service, member 4) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
 
(limit characters)
5. This position is subject to the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (25 U.S.C. 472), which affords employment preference to qualified Native American candidates.  Proof of eligibility, in the form of a completed Verification of Indian Preference, BIA - 4432 Form, must be provided with your application by the closing date to be granted such preference.  

Are you claiming Indian Preference, and submitting your BIA-4432 Form?
 
(limit characters)
6. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
 
(limit characters)
7. Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:
• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and,
• performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; and,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) and performance appraisal that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
(limit characters)
8. Do you wish to be considered as a Military Spouse?

To be eligible for appointment under this authority, you must be the spouse of one of the following:

Active Duty Spouse

  • Includes all spouses of members of the armed forces on active duty
  • Spouses do not have to relocate with active duty spouse

Based on 100% Disability - As a military spouse, you may be eligible to be considered under this authority if:

  • The military member was retired under Chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code with a 100% disability rating from the military; or
  • Was released from active duty and has a disability rating of 100% from the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the military department.

Note: There is no geographic limitation under this category. You will be required to provide documentation of your spouse's disability.

Based on Service Member's Death - As the military spouse, you may be eligible if the military member was killed while on active duty (it does not have to be combat related), and you have not remarried.

Note: There is no geographic limitation in this category. You will be required to provide documentation on the death of the spouse and your marital status at the time of death.


In order to receive consideration, you must submit documentation showing proof of eligibility. For more information regarding Military Spouse, see here.

(limit characters)
9. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?

-OR-

Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or have you obtained career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you held the same grade as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect: 
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
 
(limit characters)
10. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
(limit characters)
11. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:

• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,

• are entitled to veterans' preference?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
 
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472). Verification of Form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. Indian Preference eligibles that are not currently employed with the Federal service will be appointed under the Excepted Service Appointment Authority Schedule A, 213.3112(A)(7). (limit characters)
1. Are you submitting Form BIA-4432, Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to claim Indian Preference? Note: You must include your Form BIA-4432. As outlined in the vacancy announcement, this is the ONLY Indian Preference Verification Form that will be accepted.
(limit characters)
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 annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license. (limit characters)
2. Do you possess a valid Driver's License?
(limit characters)
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 the following targeted positions. (limit characters)
3. Please select from the following list of potential career paths YOU WILL NOT BE interested in? (limit characters)
Please note that your answers may be verified against the information you provide in your resume/application and information your references provide. Be sure you describe your background as it relates to the duties of this position since your application or resume must support the response you select. In addition, to verify qualifications based on education, you must submit a complete, legible copy of your college or university transcript(s) to document academic achievements and receive credit. For new students, you must submit a degree plan/curriculum or other acceptable proof to verify current enrollment with your application. (limit characters)
4. Carefully read the following descriptions of education. Please select the response that best describes your education for the GS-2 grade level. Make sure your resume supports your response that you select. (NOTE: You must submit a complete, legible copy of your high school or GED diploma and other acceptable proof to verify current acceptance or enrollment.) Examples of acceptable proof: enrollment course schedule or plan, registration of current course work, advisor approved degree checklist, or letter of acceptance on college or university official letter head.
(limit characters)
5. Carefully read the following descriptions of education. Please select the response that best describes your education for the GS-3 grade level. Make sure your resume supports your response that you select. (NOTE: You must submit a complete, legible copy of your transcript(s) and degree plan/curriculum or other acceptable proof to verify current enrollment with your application to document academic achievements and receive credit).
(limit characters)
6. Carefully read the following descriptions of education. Please select the response that best describes your education for the GS-4 grade level. Make sure your resume supports your response that you select. (NOTE: You must submit a complete, legible copy of your transcript(s) and degree plan/curriculum or other acceptable proof to verify current enrollment with your application to document academic achievements and receive credit).
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Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
7. If you are in an unrelated degree program, you must sign a statement agreeing that you will change your degree program and will provide acceptable documentation, i.e., changing major, minor or adding courses to curriculum program, etc. (NOTE: Acceptable degree program is specified in the vacancy announcement).
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8. Do you understand that you must sign a mobility agreement that indicates you will accept relocation to other geographic locations?
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9. Do you understand that you must be in good academic standing with the institution?
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10. Do you understand that you must be a full time student (at least 12 credit hours) and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher academic standing?
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11. Do you understand that you may be required to sign a continued service agreement which will detail the length of your commitment to the Bureau of Indian Affairs?
(limit characters)
12. Do you understand that you will be a Federal employee and must meet all performance and conduct standards?
(limit characters)
13. Will you be able to complete at least 640 hours (16 weeks) of service as an intern under the Bureau of Indian Affairs Pathways Internship Program before your expected graduation date?
(limit characters)
14. In some cases, credit may be granted for up to half of the 640-hour service requirement listed above. Have you previously served as a student trainee or intern under another program that provided comparable experience, in the same career field, to the position you are applying for? (i.e., Forestry, Wildland Fire, Rangeland Management, etc.)
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15. If YES, please provide dates, organization name, and internship details. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
16. Do you understand that you must meet all qualification requirements for a target entry-level by the time you graduate?
(limit characters)
17. What is your current cumulative Grade Point Average on a 4 point scale? (limit characters)
18. Please answer the following questions? (limit characters)
19. Please provide your answers here for the questions above. (limit characters)
20. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
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