Student Trainee - Soil Scientist

Are you looking for a dynamic student internship where you can grow your career while continuing to attend school? Want to help ensure a climate-resilient, sustainable future for our nation's agriculture, forests, and natural resources? An internship with the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) might be a great fit for you! 

NRCS is seeking current students with a passion for the environment and commitment to action through public service to participate in our Pathways Student Internship program. As a Student Trainee - Soil Scientist, your duties and responsibilities will include: 

• Performing developmental assignments involving field examinations of soil, including soil boring with an auger.
• Assisting in making determinations of soil type and assessing amounts of topsoil remaining. Examining soil borings and comparing soil samples with descriptions and legends to classify soil type.
• Assisting Survey Leaders in tabulating soil survey data. Assisting in the maintenance of soil survey program maps which indicate, by county, the locations of areas mapped and progress of soil surveys completed. 

Interns will receive on-the-job training and exposure to a variety of functional areas within Soil Conservation Management, Soil Sciences, and related natural resource conservation programs. As training advances and proficiency is demonstrated, intern work assignments will become increasingly challenging in order to provide formal experience in the principles, concepts, work processes, and regulations of their assigned program. All assignments are developmental in nature, and, in conjunction with formal education, interns will gain the necessary competencies to prepare them for conversion to a permanent position with the agency following completion of the Pathways program. 

We have several vacancies available in locations throughout the country. Interested applicants will need to create a free USAJOBS account, complete an assessment questionnaire to confirm eligibility, and submit current transcripts, proof of enrollment, and resume. Please review the full job announcement on USAJOBS.gov for specific eligibility and qualification information, as well as further instructions to apply.