About the role#
The USDA Farm Service Agency offers paid internship opportunities through the Pathways Student Internship Authority. These positions provide students with practical work experience in federal government operations while they continue their education. Interns receive on-the-job training in programs and activities conducted at State or County FSA Offices. This role is a full-time, hybrid position.
What you'll do#
- Perform various duties related to farm loan program work.
- 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 packages are complete and accurate.
What you'll need#
- Must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Enrolled at least half-time at an accredited educational institution (high school, college, or graduate level).
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Complete at least 480 hours of work experience before degree completion.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service or exempt.
- Successfully pass a background investigation, fingerprint check, and E-Verify check.
- Academic background in fields such as Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Mathematics, or Agriculture.
- Minimum education requirements: High school diploma or GED for GS-02, one full academic year of post-high school study for GS-03, or two full academic years for GS-04.
Location & details#
- Locations are negotiable within the FSA Midwest Region, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
- This is a paid, full-time internship.
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.
