Student Trainee (Park Ranger) Continuing Pathways Intern

Summary

About the Position: Position(s) will be filled under the Department of the Army Pathways Intern Program. Click here or more information on Pathways program participation.

Duties

Pathways Internship positions provide for development and training. Assignments become more responsible as incumbent increases knowledge and skills through work experience and academic training. As an intern, you will... Provide visitor assistance by answering visitor's questions relating to the recreational facilities; give directions to the Project's camp grounds, picnic areas and boating areas; provide instructions and information to the public. Explain the Project's rules and regulations to visitors; collect recreational use fees; provide courtesy safety inspections; and control vehicular traffic during events and emergency incidents. Conduct tours (e.g., nature walks); maintain, arrange or update displays and exhibits; ensure literature supplies are available for the public. Answer questions (e.g., fishing, bike trails, equestrian trails, hiking), collect recreational fees, provide education pertaining to recreational activities, natural resources, lake information, and volunteering. Collect data for various reporting purposes, such as on visitor attendance, fishing, trails, volunteers, and erosion problems. Perform administrative duties and report findings; and utilize a personal computer to enter and retrieve data. Support higher graded staff by conducting animal surveys, safety inspections, natural resource improvement projects, and by improving and/or maintaining public lands. Conduct safety and security patrols on Project land and on water, both by vehicle and vessel. Ensure the safety of the public recreating on the water by conducting water safety inspections and providing water safety education. Assist with public outreach through campfire programs, local events and school presentations. Coordinate with fellow and local first responders (e.g., CAL Fire, Sheriff, Game Wardens) during incidents and events.

Qualifications and evaluation

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Flexibility Interpersonal Skills Learning Problem Solving Self-Management Technology Application Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of two quality categories: Ideal Candidate and Eligible Candidate. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Ideal: This category will be used for those candidates who meet the general competencies, such as decision making, interpersonal skills, reading comprehension, etc, in addition to the minimum qualifications. Eligible: This category will be used for those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications of the position.

Education

NOTE: For this internship, we are seeking a student majoring in Outdoor Recreation Management, Public Affairs, Natural Resource Management, Park Administration, Environmental Sciences, Criminal Justice, Forestry, Geology, Botany, Natural History, or Ecology, etc. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html This is a student internship opportunity. Your transcripts are a required part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13070883 Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/05/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about 1 hour to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980562523540-USA-Hire-Assessments To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

Required documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements. 1. Your resume: Your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position. Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume. If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy. For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume. 2. Transcripts and Enrollment Verification: Enrollment verification (if transcripts do not reflect current enrollment), and unofficial transcripts for education claimed in your resume and occupational questionnaire is required. If you provide an unofficial transcript at the time of application and you are selected, you will be asked for official versions prior to appointment. See: Transcripts and Licenses 3. Other supporting documents: Cover Letter, optional 3 personal or professional references contact information, optional Applicants claiming Veterans Preference or Military Spouse preference (MSP): to verify your preference claim you MUST submit supporting documents with your application package. If you are currently serving on active duty: You MUST submit a certification from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date you apply to this opportunity. If you supply a certification at this stage, your preference/eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. More information about Veteran's Preference is located on the Feds Hire Vets website. Please upload veteran's documents under the appropriate category. NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

Additional information

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship, as applicable. Two year trial period may be required. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. This is a Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Career Field position. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. You may claim military spouse preference. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. Government housing is not available. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest. SALARY DETAILS 2026 Special Salary Rate (SSR) table 001M GS-03 $36464 annual GS-04 $37193 2026 SF table Oakdale & Valley Springs, CA GS-03 $40548 GS-04 45516 GS-05 50925 2026 RUS table Orland, CA GS-03 SEE TABLE 001M ABOVE GS-04 SEE TABLE 001M ABOVE GS-05 $40736 2026 FN table Porterville & Raymond & Sanger, CA GS-03 SEE TABLE 001M ABOVE GS-04 SEE TABLE 001M ABOVE GS-05 $40941 2026 SAC table Smartville, CA GS-03 SEE TABLE 001M ABOVE GS-04 $40359 GS-05 45155 Salary is determined annually on a full-time schedule. When working part time, determine your hourly salary by dividing the stated annual salary by 2087 hours. Your biweekly (per pay period) rate is then determined by multiplying the hourly salary by the number of hours worked during the pay period. Eligibility requirements for conversion to a permanent or term position. Interns must: Be a U.S. Citizen at the time of conversion; Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program prior to or concurrent with completion of academic requirements; Complete their educational requirements (as specified above); Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualification standard, including any applicable positive education requirement and/or selective placement factors and any other special qualifications requirements and conditions of employment (e.g. medical standards) appropriate for the specific competitive service position to which the intern will be converted; Successfully complete all the requirements of the Internship Program as defined in the agency-participant agreement; and Perform their job successfully as documented through performance evaluations and/or completion of an Individual Development Plan (IDP).