About the role#
The USDA Farm Service Agency offers paid internship opportunities through the Pathways Student Internship Program. These roles provide students with practical experience in federal government administration while they continue their education. You will receive on-the-job training in various programs and activities conducted at State or County offices.
What you'll do#
- Perform tasks related to farm loan program operations.
- Track, maintain, and report on the status of assigned projects.
- Log proposals into the electronic tracking system.
- Ensure financial and technical reports are received and approved.
- Manage office correspondence, including receiving, sending, and distributing documents.
- Greet visitors and assist with office inquiries.
- Assemble award documents and verify that award packages are complete.
What you'll need#
- Must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Enrollment at least half-time at an accredited educational institution.
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- 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.
- Ability to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
- Completion of at least 480 hours of work experience before degree completion.
- Registration with the Selective Service if applicable.
- Successful completion of E-Verify employment verification.
- Relevant fields of study include Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Mathematics, Agriculture, and related disciplines.
Location & details#
- Locations are negotiable within the FSA Northwest Region, including Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming.
- This is a full-time position.
- Work modality includes both on-site and hybrid options.
- Candidates may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a permanent position upon successful completion of the internship 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.
