United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Nebraska Go to Accessibility Information
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Student Career Experience Program 

You can make a difference in the conservation of our natural resources. We're looking for intelligent and motivated students who want to share their ideas and talents. The Student Career Experience Program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can offer you the opportunity to be part of this conservation effort.

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What Is the Natural Resources Conservation Service?

NRCS is an agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture that began conservation work during the Dust Bowl days of the 1930's. A series of dust storms had just ravaged the Nation's farmlands, stripping away millions of tons of topsoil. Huge dust clouds had carried soil hundreds of miles, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Ever since that disaster, NRCS has been trying to make Americans more aware of the need to protect our natural resources, especially soil and water.

The employees of NRCS work with local soil and water conservation districts to encourage and assist people in conserving the Nation's resources. Our programs are aimed at reducing erosion, keeping streams clear, protecting wildlife, and promoting good land use.

NRCS offers career opportunities to high school, college, and technical school students through programs such as the Student Career Experience Program. 

What is the Student Career Experience Program ?

The Student Career Experience Program combines paid, study-related employment with periods of formal educational study. Students are given the chance to apply their academic studies to their on-the-job experience and earn academic credit for their work experience based on their school's Student Career Experience Program policy. The work experience with NRCS MUST be related to the student's academic/career goals. This type of employment greatly benefits both employers and students. It gives employers an effective, low-cost recruitment and training method which will help meet staffing goals. It introduces students to a professional work environment and will help them explore career options.

Types of Student Career Experience Program Appointments

In each of the following types of appointments, students are required to work a minimum of 640 hours prior to meeting academic requirements for graduation.

  • HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
    working towards diplomas
  • UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA STUDENTS
    enrolled in at least a 1-year program at accredited college-level technical, trade, vocational, or business institution
  • ASSOCIATE DEGREE STUDENTS
    enrolled in qualified 2-year college or technical institution to earn associate degrees
  • BACCALAUREATE DEGREE STUDENTS
    enrolled in 4-year educational institutions to earn bachelor's degrees
  • GRADUATE STUDENTS
    enrolled in master's or doctorate programs to earn master's or doctorate degrees

Compensation and Benefits

NRCS Career Experience students are entitled to compensation based on education and experience. Students seeking high school diplomas or undergraduate degrees are appointed at grades between GS-1 and GS-5 based on qualifications. For the students in master's degree programs a level up to GS-9 is available. Students seeking doctoral and professional degrees may be appointed up to GS-11. Career Experience students are eligible for promotion after meeting qualification and performance requirements for the next grade. (NRCS employing offices can provide a current salary scale.) The following benefits are provided:

Retirement -- Students with no prior service or less than 5 years of civilian service are covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of a basic defined benefit, social security, and the Thrift Savings Plan.

Life and Health Insurance -- Students who are appointed for 1 year or more and in pay status for at least one-third of the overall time, from appointment date to completion date, are eligible for Federal life insurance and health insurance plans that provide varying coverage to meet differing needs. The Government shares in the cost of the coverage.

Leave -- Annual and sick leave benefits are earned by students in full-time work status at the rate of 13 days of annual leave and 13 days of sick leave per year in addition to 10 paid holidays.

Conversion to Permanent Employment

Career Experience students who have met the qualification requirements through education and experience are eligible to convert non-competitively to a position within the competitive service within 120 calendar days after satisfactory completion of the requirements for their diplomas/certificate/degree. These students must be recommended for conversion by one of the NRCS employing offices.


Qualifications

A Student must meet the following requirements to qualify for an NRCS Student Career Experience appointment:

  1. Be at least 16 years old
  2. Be a citizen of the United States
  3. Be in good academic standing in a qualifying educational institution
  4. Be enrolled in a field of study that relates to occupations with the Natural Resources Conservation Service

 Working Agreement Between Student's School and NRCS

The Student Career Experience Program is a formally structured program and requires a written agreement by all parties
(agency, school, student) as to the:

  • nature of work assignments
  • schedule of work assignments and class attendance
  • evaluation procedures
  • requirements for continuation and successful completion of the program

A student must be enrolled in their school's Student Career Experience Program to be eligible for this type of employment.

How To Apply

Students interested in the Student Career Experience Program positions with NRCS should contact an NRCS personnel office about openings. Students should then apply through their school's Student Career Experience Program Coordinator.