About the role#
This is a paid, full-time student trainee position with the USDA Farm Service Agency. You will work under the Pathways Student Internship Authority, which offers students practical work experience in federal agencies while they continue their education. This role is designed to provide on-the-job training in farm loan programs and activities conducted at State or County FSA Offices.
What you'll do#
- Perform farm loan program tasks and receive hands-on training.
- Apply knowledge and skills learned during your formal education to real-world projects.
- Track, maintain, and report on the status of assigned projects.
- Log proposals in the electronic tracking system.
- Ensure financial and technical reports are received and approved.
- Greet visitors and handle incoming and outgoing correspondence.
- Assemble award documents and verify that award packages are complete and accurate.
What you'll need#
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- You must be enrolled at least half-time at an accredited high school, college, or graduate institution.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Complete at least 480 hours of work experience before graduating.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service or be exempt.
- Successfully pass an E-Verify employment check and a background investigation.
- Education requirements vary by grade level: high school diploma or GED for GS-02, one year of post-high school study for GS-03, or two years for GS-04.
- Relevant fields of study include Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Mathematics, Agriculture, and other related areas.
Location & details#
- This position is located within the FSA Northwest Region, which includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming.
- This is an on-site, full-time role.
- Participation requires a signed agreement and a two-year trial period.
- You may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a permanent position upon successful completion of the internship program requirements.
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.
