Slots open for NCRS student summer jobs program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced openings for its Summer Student Temporary Employment Program or STEP.

Designed to provide students with career enhancing work experience, this program allows temporary appointment of students who would fill positions in the areas of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Biology, Botany, Forestry, Natural Resources, Plant Science, Rangeland Management, Soil Conservation, and Soil Science.

These students are appointed in productive, hands-on job assignments that have to do with the inventory, conservation and enhancement of the Pacific Islands Area’s natural resources.

Students are required to work a full-time schedule during the summer and in turn receive compensation and cost of living allowance depending on which Pacific Islands Area office they will work and the length of their study.

For the State of Hawaii:

* GS-3 – $12.19/hour – completion of one year of study
* GS-4 – $13.69/hour – completion of two years of study
* GS-5 – $15.31/hour – completion of four years of study
Saipan and American Samoa:
* GS-3 – $11.95/hour – completion of one year of study
* GS-4 – $13.41/hour – completion of two years of study
* GS-5 – $15.00/hour – completion of four years of study

Transportation expenses and a housing stipend may be available for students recruited outside the area of employment.

Available positions are in Natural Resources, Soil Conservation, Soil Science or Agricultural Engineering on Saipan, American Samoa, Aiea in the island of Oahu, and Hilo, Waimea, or Kealakekua in Hawaii.

Eligible students must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old; enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student in an accredited technical or vocational school, two-year or four-year college or university, or graduate or professional school; and taking at least a half-time course load as determined by the academic institution.

Interested students must include in their application personal resume that indicates the announcement number NRCS-PIA-12-01T, the specific work location and position for which they wish to be considered, and all relevant work experience and outside activities.

Applications should also include completed Form OF-306 or Declaration of Federal Employment, which can be found at www.opm.gov/forms and college transcripts. Unofficial copy of transcript is permitted. Applications submitted without transcripts will not be considered while transcripts submitted separately will not be accepted.

Applications should be mailed to USDA/NRCS-PIA 300 Ala Moana Blvd. #4-118 P.O. Box 50004 Honolulu, Hawaii 96850 Attn: Tracy Sakato, HR.

All applications must be received by the USDA NRCS office on the closing date on Feb. 15.

For more information, call 808-541-2600 Ext. 154.