Student Trainee (Veterinary)

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• All requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. This includes responses to all eligibility assessment and occupational questionnaires, along with submission of your resume and all supporting documentation.
• Must meet Pathways Program requirements. Follow link to the Pathways Handbook (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/reference-materials/pathways-programs-handbook.pdf).
• A signed participant agreement is required for employment under Pathways. Form will be provided upon selection before entry-on-duty date is set.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Selectee must be able to obtain a successful completion of pre-employment medical examination.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you may be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report inquiry.
• College or university must be a U.S. AVMA accredited and a registered Entity in the System for Award Management.
• Currently enrolled full-time or have been accepted into a U.S. accredited and U.S. AVMA accredited college or university Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program or equivalent full-time.
• Must provide transcripts that support the qualifications. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application package. Official transcripts will be required if selected.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be in and remain in good academic standing as defined by the educational institution throughout the program.
• Selectee must have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.

Qualifications

To qualify for the USDA Pathways Internship Program and the FSIS Adel A . Malak Scholarship, you MUST meet the Selective Placement Factor (SPF) and Qualification Requirements stated below.

To qualify at the GS-7 grade level: Successful completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education (an academic year of graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 academic year of full-time study) towards earning a DVM or equivalent at a college or university of Veterinary Medicine OR Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) after completing a bachelor's degree. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.Note: Grade-point averages will be rounded to one decimal place.

• Class standing. Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
• Grade-point average (G.P.A.). Applicants must have a grade-point average of:
• 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
• 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
• Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed below. These honor societies are listed by the Association of College Honor Societies . Agencies considering eligibility based on any society not included in the following list must ensure that the honor society meets the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.

To qualify for the GS-7, you must submit required transcript(s) that show AT LEAST one of the conditions below:

• One academic year of graduate education
• Bachelor's degree showing S.A.A.

To qualify at the GS-9 grade level: Successful completion of 2 academic years of graduated level education, or a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree.

To qualify for the GS-9, you must submit required transcript(s) that show AT LEAST one of the conditions below:

• 2 academic years of graduate education
• Master's degree
• Equivalent Master's degree

The following Selective Placement Factor (SPF) requirement is being used to determine whether an applicant fully qualifies for this position. Therefore, it is MANDATORY that all applicants meet this requirement in order to receive further consideration for this position and scholarship. Applicants are required to submit transcripts as outlined below in education section of announcement and/or proof of enrollment. If current enrollment is not identified on the transcripts and/or proof of enrollment to support the selective placement factor, you will be determined as not eligible.

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Applicants who fail to meet the Selective Placement Factor may lose further consideration. Students must be currently enrolled full-time or have been accepted into a U.S. accredited and U.S. AVMA accredited college or university Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program or equivalent full-time for Fall 2025. To see a list of AVMA accredited colleges/universities, visit: Accredited Colleges. All colleges or universities must be a registered entity in the System for Award Management.

Note: Selected students must have at least two academic years of Veterinary Medicine remaining and must be enrolled full-time.

Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

Additional Documents Required In Your Application Package

• One letter of recommendation from college officials; such as professors, deans, or counselors. You may substitute a supervisor's recommendation if the work experiences under that supervisor are related to your college major. Recommender may not be related to you.
• An original essay by you, not to exceed 500 words, addressing this topic: "Why I should receive the Adel A. Malak Scholarship and What Contributions I would make to FSIS, Office of Field Operations".
• Please ensure that your resume, essay, and recommendation letter highlights accomplishments that demonstrate possession of the required competencies.
• If referred to the hiring manager, you may be contacted for an opportunity to interview.

Education

COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS: You MUST submit a copy of your most recent college transcripts which show the following:

• Your Field of Study
• School Name
• Student's Name
• Current GPA or Academic Standing
• Past and Current Course Work
• Degree Program
• Major/Concentration.

An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if selected, an official college transcript will be required prior to entering on duty. For students newly accepted to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program or equivalent for Fall 2025 you must also submit proof of your acceptance or enrollment along with your previous unofficial transcripts as part of your complete application package.

This Internship/Scholarship confers eligibility for a noncompetitive conversion to a permanent or term position in the competitiveservice contingent upon meeting all applicable Internship Program requirements and the needs of the agency. You will be consideredfor conversion to a permanent or term position upon the successful completion of your Internship and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program or equivalent. However, please note that eligibility for conversion does not guarantee the agency will opt for conversion.

PROGRAM COMPLETION: This is an indefinite appointment. Upon successful completion of the program and at the agency's discretion, the appointee may be non-competitively converted to a term or career or career-conditional appointment. This position has a full performance level of GS-12 and may have supervisory duties assigned. Service in the Pathways Program confers no right to further employment in either the competitive or excepted service. An agency wishing to convert a student must therefore execute the required action to do so within 180 days of successful completion of the degree and program requirements.

CONVERSION FROM STUDENT TRAINEE: Prior to conversion to a term or career or career conditional appointment, Student Trainees must satisfactorily complete all training, program, and educational requirements.

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Successfully complete academic course of study.
• Complete a minimum of 640 hours of work experience under the Internship Program.
• Complete 40 hours of mandatory AgLearn Training.
• Meet the OPM Qualification Standard for the position the Intern may be converted to.
• Veterinary Medical Science Series 0701
• Maintain acceptable performance under the agency's approved performance management system.
• Receive favorable recommendation for conversion from supervisor.

Additional Incentive upon conversion:

• Accelerated Promotions: In-plant veterinarians hired at the GS-11 level may be non-competitively promoted to the GS-12 level in as little as 6 months. An accelerated promotion is not guaranteed. Supervisory approval and the proper certifications are required.

For more information regarding FSIS incentives, click here.

What Does the FSIS Adel A. Malak Internship Program Offer?

• $15, 000 scholarship funding for tuition, books, tutors and laboratory fees awarded for each year in the program, up to four years.
• Paid employment during summer and school breaks as a Veterinary Student Trainee while you complete your DVM or equivalent. The work schedule during the academic year is negotiable. The Adel A. Malak Scholarship provides the opportunity to work a minimum of 640 hours to meet Pathways Programs requirements for conversion.
• Conversion without further competition to a permanent appointment with promotion potential to the GS-12 level with FSIS' OFO upon successful completion of the program with a DVM degree or equivalent, training, and other work requirement(s). Note, upon conversion, the employee may be assigned supervisory responsibilities. Location discussed prior to conversion.
• Comprehensive mentorship and professional development program.
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan (401K plan) and paid vacation and sick leave while in pay status.

Additional information

What to expect if selected for the USDA Pathways Internship Program and the FSIS Adel A . Malak Scholarship:

• A Pathways Participant Agreement and Food Safety Inspection Service Memorandum of Understanding will be required if you are selected for a position. These agreements must be signed by all applicable parties prior to entrance on duty.
• Scholarship recipients will be required to sign a Service Agreement acknowledging they will work in the FSIS, Office of Field Operations (OFO), one year, for every academic year they accept scholarship funding, not to exceed 4 years after they have been converted to a career or career conditional appointment as a Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer (SVMO)/Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian (SPHV). This agreement must be signed by the scholarship recipient prior to entrance on duty.
• Your schedule during the academic year is negotiable. During school breaks and summers, travel to/from the official duty station and housing expenses, will be at the student's expense.
• If selected, you will be expected to report for duty following the completion of your Spring 2025 term.
• Travel occurs on an occasional basis and visits to remote locations or isolated rural areas may be required where you may be subject to regular and recurring risks associated with working around animals.
• Student intern relocation expenses will not be paid.
• Work may require use of protective equipment.
• "Location Negotiable After Selection" is defined as requesting your duty station from a list of available duty stations at the time of your appointment. Your final Pathways duty station will be determined by the agency based on your requested location, establishments near your requested location, and available positions. (See below for potential duty stations. Note: this list is not all-inclusive and additional duty stations may be available).
• Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
• Pre-Employment Physical: This position requires a pre-employment physical. Position Requirements.
• Functional Requirements and Environmental Factors: Please click on the following link to see information regarding the Functional Requirements and Environmental Factors positions.

Potential duty stations:

Arizona

Tolleson

California

Petaluma

Orland

Fresno

San Luis Obispo

Hanford

Colorado

Greely

Fort Morgan

Connecticut

Stafford Springs

Delaware

Milford

Georgetown

Florida

Tampa

Georgia

Athens

Illinois

Momence

Rantoul

Marengo

Iowa

Marshalltown

Tama

Storm Lake

Kentucky

Louisville

Louisiana

Hammond

Maryland

Hagerstown

Mt. Airy

Minnesota

Austin

Missouri

Maysville

Nebraska

Omaha

Grand Island

Fremont

Nevada

Reno

New Hampshire

Manchester

New Jersey

Green Village

New York

Gasport

North Carolina

Warsaw

Kinston

Pennsylvania

Mifflintown

Puerto Rico

Arecibo

South Carolina

Gaffney

Sumter

South Dakota

Sioux Falls

Yankton

Aberdeen

Tennessee

Newbern

Texas

Hereford

Amarillo

Bryan

Virginia

Timberville

Bealteon

Wisconsin

Norwalk

Green Bay

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• Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.