About the role#
The USDA Farm Service Agency offers a paid internship program for students through the Pathways Student Internship Authority. This role provides an opportunity to gain experience in federal government administration while you are still enrolled in school. Selected interns may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a permanent position after completing program requirements, though this is at the discretion of the agency.
What you'll do#
- Assemble PowerPoint presentation packages for division briefings.
- Prepare and type documents using Microsoft Word.
- Assist division members with special projects.
- Perform routine office and technical work to support agency operations.
- Handle data entry and editing using Microsoft Access or Excel.
- Create reports and monitor project activities.
What you'll need#
- US Citizenship or status as a US National.
- Current enrollment at least half-time in an accredited high school, college, or graduate program.
- A minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Completion of high school or GED for GS-02, one year of post-high school study for GS-03, or two years for GS-04.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
- Ability to pass a background investigation, fingerprint check, and E-Verify screening.
- Commitment to completing at least 480 hours of work experience before graduation.
- Relevant academic focus in fields such as Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Accounting, or Human Resources.
Location & details#
- This is a full-time, hybrid position for Summer 2027.
- Locations are negotiable within the FSA Northeast Region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
About USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture is a federal executive department. It manages government policy regarding farming, food, and agriculture. The agency works to support ranchers and farmers while promoting agricultural trade. It also oversees food safety, rural community development, and natural resource protection. The department maintains offices in Washington, DC and other locations.
How to get in at USDA
Securing an internship at the USDA requires a proactive approach to navigating federal hiring cycles. Because early applicants are often reviewed before the applicant pool becomes unmanageable, Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, helping you apply among the first. This timing can be the difference between your application being seen and getting lost in a large volume of submissions. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the recruiters behind these roles directly. Intern Insider surfaces the specific recruiters behind the USDA roles, allowing you to ask relevant questions about the position or inquire about a referral. Connecting with the right person often provides the clarity needed to stand out in a competitive government hiring process.
