The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) offers 15–20 paid internships each summer. We are seeking interns with skills, background and interests that apply to a variety of assistantship positions such as economics, trade specialists, biotechnology, criminal justice, public affairs, information technology, and program analysis.  Internships provide substantive work assignments to college students on a wide variety of international trade and agricultural trade issues. Interns work in the FAS offices in Washington, D.C.

The SIP provides participants with an excellent opportunity to learn about issues, programs, and activities related to international agricultural trade. Students gain a broader view of U.S. agricultural interests through FAS’s interaction with the other USDA agencies. A broader perspective on U.S. international trade and development interests is achieved through interaction with FAS’s 90 overseas offices and other federal agencies such as the State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Trade Representative.

Each summer FAS also employs one applicant from the following programs: the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Internship Program, the Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS), the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP), and the Washington Center's Native American Program. You must apply for these positions directly through the organization, indicating your interest in being considered for the position at FAS.

The SIP also functions as an entry into other FAS internship programs leading to permanent employment. Other programs that FAS sponsors include:

• The International Agricultural Internship Program (IAIP)
   

• The Career Internship Program (CIP)

Who May Apply

The FAS Summer Internship Program is open to all degree-seeking university students that have studied and/or have experience in economics, business, IT, biotechnology, law, public affairs, program analysis or international relations.

When To Apply

The deadline for the 2007 summer program is March 2, 2007.

How To Apply

Application Timetable

Selection Process. Applicants are reviewed and ranked by a panel. Nikia Sizer will notify top applicants by mid-March. Fifteen to twenty individual supervisors will select from the list of top applicants. They will contact you for an interview and check references. Nikia Sizer will notify applicants chosen by supervisors by early April. Students who are not on the top list will be notified by early April.

Internship Dates. The SIP runs June–August. Starting and ending dates are flexible and will be determined by the student and supervisor.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation varies, however most students will earn pay at the Federal GS/4-7 level for the duration of the internship. Housing expenses may be covered by the Agency. Please see the table below to determine your GS salary level.  Housing expenses may be covered by the Agency.

Qualifications for determining GS salary levels

Students must be enrolled in a qualified education program.  The following are generally the qualification requirements for the GS-3, -4, -5 and -7 grade levels:

* Specialized experience may be defined as experience being directly related to the responsibilities of the advertised position.

NOTE:  Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.  Specific course work for some positions may be required.

Where To Get More Information

• General information about the USDA SIP
   

• Other USDA SIP job announcements

  • Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services

  • Natural Resources and Environment

  • Rural Development
     

• More information about other FAS internships and permanent hire programs
   

• Other USDA internship programs

The SIP Coordinator in Human Resources is Nikia Sizer. Please contact her for further information at email: Nikia.Sizer@usda.gov or (202) 401-0176.

Other Federal Employment Opportunities