The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recruits at various educational institutions to find students with skills to meet its current and future employment needs. Opportunities are available throughout ARS nationwide. Since many of our facilities are co-located with major universities, student employment provides opportunities for students to gain valuable experience related to their field of study or in other areas.

Student Educational Employment Program. This program provides Federal employment opportunities to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as degree-seeking students taking at least a half-time academic, technical, or vocational course load in an accredited high school, technical, vocational, 2-, or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school. Following is a brief description of the two components of this program:

Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP). Job opportunities under this component offer temporary employment ranging from summer jobs to positions that can last for as long as you're a student. These employment opportunities need not necessarily be related to your academic field of study. Appointments are made for 1 year, and employees are not entitled to benefits except for sick and annual leave.

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP). This program offers valuable work experience directly related to your academic field of study. It provides formal periods of work that enhances your academic studies. It requires a commitment by you, your school, and the employing Federal agency. You may be eligible for permanent employment under this component after successfully completing your education and meeting work requirements. Under this program, employees are eligible to enroll in health and life insurance, participate in the Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan, and earn sick and annual leave.

Student Hiring. For information on student employment opportunities within the Agricultural Research Service, please contact the location where you would like to work. Information on our research locations can be found on the ARS web site at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/research.html

Eligibility Requirements. You are eligible under the Student Educational Employment Program if you are:

• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student (diploma, certificate, etc.)

• At least the minimum age required by Federal, State, or local laws and standards governing the employment of minors

• Taking at least half-time academic or vocational and technical course load in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, 2- or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school

• A U.S. citizen or a national (resident of American Samoa or Swains Island). Non-citizens may be eligible for employment if:
  
  (1) permitted by a Federal agency's appropriation act, and
  (2) eligible to work under U.S. immigration laws.

U.S. citizenship is required for conversion to permanent employment under the Student Career Experience Program.