About the role#
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is hiring Student Trainees for the Pathways Student Internship Program. This program provides students with paid work experience in federal government administration while they continue their studies. Interns receive on-the-job training in programs and activities performed at State or County FSA Offices. Successful completion of the program may lead to a non-competitive conversion to a permanent position, though this is not guaranteed.
What you'll do#
- Perform 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 and receive visitors.
- Send, receive, and distribute correspondence.
- Assemble award documents and verify that packages are complete and accurate.
What you'll need#
- U.S. Citizenship or National status.
- Enrollment at least half-time in an accredited high school, college, or graduate institution.
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Completion of 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.
- Successful completion of an E-Verify employment check and background investigation.
- Education requirements based on grade level:
- GS-02: High school diploma or GED.
- GS-03: One full academic year of post-high school study.
- GS-04: Two full academic years of post-high school study.
- Relevant fields of study include Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, and other related areas.
Location & details#
- This is an on-site, full-time position.
- Locations are negotiable within the FSA Southwest Region, which includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.
- A signed participant agreement is required for all Pathways interns.
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.
