The document provides information about student employment programs at the USDA, including application instructions. It outlines a 3-step application process: 1) Learn about USDA agencies and opportunities on the OHRM webpage, 2) Create a profile account, and 3) Fill out the application in the USDA Student Portal. The document provides screenshots and descriptions to guide applicants through creating their profile and starting their online application.

1. U.S. Department of Agriculture
Student Employment Programs
Recruitment and Diversity - OHRM
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2. Table of Content
• USDA Agencies Mission Areas and Offices, page 3
• Careers by Educational Field, page 4
• Application Guide-, page 7
• Mission Areas, page 41
• Success Stories, page 73
• Point of contacts, page 76
• Most Frequently Asked Questions, page 79
2

3. USDA Mission Areas and
Administrative Offices
Mission Areas
Natural Resources and Environment Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Research, Education and Economics
• Forest Service (FS) • Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion • Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
• Natural Resources Conservation (CNPP) • Economic Research Service (ERS)
Service (NRCS) • Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) • National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS)
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Marketing and Regulatory Programs • National Institute of Food and
Agriculture (NIFA)
• Farm Service Agency (FSA) • Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection • National Agriculture Library (NAL)
• Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
• Risk Management Agency (RMA) Service (APHIS)
• Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards
Administration (GIPSA)
Rural Development Food Safety
• Rural Development (RD) • Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
Administrative Offices
• Office of the Chief Information Officer • Office of the Inspector General (OIG) • Office of Budget and Program Analysis (OBPA)
(OCIO) • Office of the General Counsel (OGC) • Departmental Management
• Office of the Chief Economics (OCE) • Office of Communications (OC) • Office of Congressional Relations (OCR)
• Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) • Office of Environmental Markets (OEM) • Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO)
• Office of the Executive Secretariat (OES) • Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil • Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO)
• National Appeals Division (NAD) Rights (OASCR) • Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership
(FBNP)
3

4. Careers by Educational Field
Management
Agribusiness and Industry
Science and Technology
4

5. Management Careers
USDA Agencies
Office of Human Resource Management
Student Employment Opportunities
USDA Agencies
Office of Human Resource Management
Careers FSA FAS RMA FNS FSIS AMS APHIS Student FS NRCS ARS ERS NASS NIFA
GIPSA Employment Opportunities RBS RHS RUS OHRM OIG NFC F
Management
Careers FSA FAS RMA FNS FSIS AMS APHIS GIPSA FS NRCS ARS ERS NASS NIFA RBS RHS RUS OHRM OIG NFC F
F
Management
Accounting/Auditing *
Accounting/Auditing * * * * * * * * * * * * * F
F
Accounting/Auditing * * * * * * * * * * * * * * F
Budget
Budget
Budget
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
R
R
Contracting/Procurement
Contracting/Procurement
Contracting/Procurement *
* *
* *
* *
* *
* *
* *
* *
* *
Criminal Justice * * * * * * F
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice
Equal Opportunity * * * * *
*
*
*
* *
*
*
*
*
* *
* * F
F
Equal Opportunity
Equal Opportunity
Management/Program Analysis *
* *
* *
* *
* *
* *
* *
* *
* *
* *
* *
* * *
*
F
Personnel Management * * * * * * * * * * *
Management/Program Analysis
Management/Program Analysis * * * * * * * * * * * * * M
Public Affairs * * * * * * * * * *
Personnel Management
Personnel Management
Computer Scinces *
* *
* *
* *
* *
* * *
* *
* *
* * * * *
* *
* *
* A
M
A
Public Affairs
Agribusiness and Industry *
Public Affairs * * * * * * * * * G
Agricultural Business *
Computer Sciences *
Computer Scinces
*
* *
*
*
*
*
*
* *
*
* * * * * * * * A
Agricultural Commoditites * * * * A
5 A
Agribusiness and Industry
Crop Insurance Administration *

6. Student Employment Opportunities
Management
Careers Agribusiness and Industry Careers
FSA FAS RMA FNS FSIS AMS APHIS GIPSA FS NRCS ARS ERS NASS NIFA RBS RHS RUS OHRM OIG NFC F
F
Accounting/Auditing * * * * * * * * * * * * * * F
Budget * * * * * * * * * * * R
Contracting/Procurement * * * * * * * * *
Criminal Justice * * * * * * F
Equal Opportunity * * * * * * * * * * * * F
Management/Program Analysis * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Personnel Management * * * * * USDA Agencies
* * * * * *
M
Public Affairs * * * * * * * Office of Human*Resource Management
* *
Computer Scinces * * * * * Student Employment Opportunities
* * * * * * * * * * A
A
Agribusiness and Industry
Careers FSA FAS RMA FNS FSIS AMS APHIS GIPSA FS NRCS ARS ERS NASS NIFA RBS RHS RUS OHRM OIG NFC F
Management
Agricultural Business * * * * * * G
F
F
Accounting/Auditing
Agricultural Commoditites
*
*
* * * *
*
*
*
*
*
* * * * * * * A
Budget * * * * * * * * * * * R
Crop Contracting/Procurement
Insurance Administration * * * * * * * * * *
Criminal Justice * * * * * * F
Crop Insurance Underwriting
Equal Opportunity * *
*
* * * * * * * * * *
N
F
Economics
Management/Program Analysis *
* *
* *
* * * *
* *
* *
* * *
* * * * * * F
Personnel Management * * * * * * * * * * *
Agricultural Extension
Public Affairs
*
* * * * * * * * *
* *
M
N
Agricultural Management
Computer Scinces *
* * * *
* *
* *
* * *
* * * * * * * * A
A
Agribusiness and Industry *
Agricultural Marketing * * * * *
Agricultural Business * * * * * * R
G
Food ProgramCommoditites
Agricultural
Management *
* * * * A
A
International Trade Economics
Crop Insurance Administration * * * *
Crop Insurance Underwriting
Loan Management/Finance *
* * * * 6 E
N
Economics * * * * * * * * * F

7. Management/Program Analysis * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Personnel Management * * * * * * * * * * *
Science and Technology Careers
Public Affairs * * * * * * * * * *
Computer Scinces * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Agribusiness and Industry
Agricultural Business * * * * * *
Agricultural Commoditites * * * *
Crop Insurance Administration *
Crop Insurance Underwriting *
Economics * * * * * * * * *
Agricultural Extension * *
Agricultural Management * * * * *
Agricultural Marketing * * * * * USDA Agencies *
Food Program Management * Office of Human Resource Management
International Trade Economics * * *
Student Employment Opportunities
Loan Management/Finance * * * *
Careers
Science and Technolgoy FSA FAS RMA FNS FSIS AMS APHIS GIPSA FS NRCS ARS ERS NASS NIFA RBS RHS RUS OHRM OIG NFC
Management Agronomy * * * *
Animal Science
Accounting/Auditing * * * * *
* *
* ** * ** *
* * * * * *
Archaeology *
Budget * * * * * * *
* * * *
Contracting/Procurement *
Biological Science * * *
* *
* *
* ** *
* * * *
Criminal Justice
Chemistry * *
* *
* * * * * * *
Equal Opportunity *
Engineering * * * * *
* * * *
* ** * * * *
Management/Program Analysis *
Food Inspection * * * ** * * * * * * * *
Personnel Management * * * * * * * * * * *
Food Technolgoy * * * * *
Public Affairs * * * * * * * * * *
Forestry * *
Computer Scinces * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Geology/Hydrology * * * *
Agribusiness and Industry
Landscape Architecture * *
Agricultural Business * * * * * *
Mathematics/Statistics
Agricultural Commoditites * * * * * *
Nutrition
Crop Insurance Administration * *
Plant Pathology/Physiology
Crop Insurance Underwriting * * * * * *
Soil Sciences/Conservation *
Economics * * * * * * ** * * * *
Veterinary Medicine
Agricultural Extension * * * * *
Agricultural Management *
Wildlife Biology * *
* * * ** 7

8. U.S. Department of Agriculture
Student Employment Program
Applicant Guide
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. USDA – DM - Revised on 4/5/2012

9. Application Process
The application process consists of three
steps:
1. Visit the USDA OHRM webpage to
learn more about agencies and
their student employment
opportunities
2. Create a profile account
3. Fill out the application in the
USDA Student Portal
9

10. Visit the USDA-Department Management webpage to learn more
STEP ONE: about agencies and their student employment opportunities
10

11. • Go to
www.dm.usda.gov
• Click on
“Information for
Interns”
Step One 11

12. • Click on “Student
Employment
Programs” under
Departmental
Management Intern
Information
Step One 12

13. • To apply for our
Student Intern
Program (SIP), click
“Apply Now”.
• To review the steps to
apply to the SIP
program, click the
“Applicant Guide”.
Step One 13

14. STEP TWO: Create a profile account
• You will be prompted to the
“Sign In/Login.”
• Click “click here” to create
your account.
• All information provide
through this site is secured
and protected.
14

15. Creating Your Profile
Account
• Provide:
 First Name
 Last Name
 Zip-code
 Country Name
 Email address
• Confirm your email address:
 Provide a personal email
address if you are not able to
gain access to your school
email account.
• User ID:
 Your user name will be letters
or numbers or characters
used in your email account.
Step Two 15

16. Choosing a password
• When choosing a
password read the
following instructions.
 Sample password
7Ca#Bt2q
• Confirm your password
by re-typing it.
• Choose two secret
questions and answers
in case you forget your
“User ID” or “Password,”
we can retread it for you.
• Click “Update” and
proceed to confirm your
information.
Step Two 16

17. • After you have created
your profile account, a
Fabiola
verification confirmation
Fabiola
message will appear as
Smith
follows.
Fsmith@yahoo.com • To begin your
Fsmith@yahoo.com application, click “Home
Page” and provide your
Fsmith
ID and Password.
• Please double check
Disneyland
that your information is
correct before clicking
the “submit” option.
Elmo
Step Two 17

18. STEP THREE: Begin your application through the USDA Student Portal
Type:
User ID & Password
18

19. • Before you start your
application read the
following:
Click “Vacancies” to
view what opportunities
are available.
Click “Instructions on
“How to upload your
documents.”
Click “View
Application” to begin
your application.
Step Three 19

20. Internship Vacancy
Announcements
• Read the announcements
and remember the job
announcement.
• You will be allowed to
proceed and choose the
vacancy announcement
you wish to apply, after you
completed your
application.
• If there is no vacancy
announcement or the
vacancy announcement
does not apply to you,
submit your application to
be considered for a
general internship
opportunity.
Step Three 20

21. Choose Internship
Session Section
• Choose an Internship
session.
• Choose the following:
 Start date - when do
you want to begin your
internship,
 End date – when do
you want end it
 Hours – how many
hours you are
available to work
 Type of internship you
are looking for
• After that, click “save”
and move to the “next
page.” We strongly
encourage you to always
save your answer before
moving to the next
section.
Step Three 21

22. Contact Information
Section
• Provide your contact
information. Any
information with a red
asterisk (*) is
required.
• You will not be able to
move to the next page
until this information is
provided.
Step Three 22

23. Eligibility Section
• If you are not sure
what is your eligibility,
please click FAQ.
• After that, click “save”
and move to the “next
page.”
Step Three 23

24. Background
Information Section
• As part of the
“Background
Information,” please tell
us how did you find out
about USDA internship
opportunities by
selecting from the
following options:
Recruitment/Outreach
Social Networks
USDA Affinity Group.
Step Three 24

25. Background Information
Section Continue
• We also want to know if
you hold a security
clearance.
• After that, click “save” and
move to the “next page.”
Step Three 25

26. Applicant Data
Section
(Supporting
Documentation)
• Select the following:
 Gender
 Race/Ethnicity
 Living environment
 Veterans Status
 Disability Status
• After that, click “save” and
move to the “next page.”
USDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.
Step Three 26

27. Applicant Data
Section
(Supporting
Documentation)
• Select your “Veterans
Preference.”
• Read which documents
we accept as proof of
eligibility.
• To upload documents,
click “Instructions on
How to Upload Your
Documents” located in
the heading.
• After that, click “save” and
move to the “next page.”
USDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.
Step Three 27

28. Applicant Data
Section
(Supporting
Documentation)
• Select your “Disability
Status.”
• Read which documents
we accept as proof of
eligibility.
• Upload documents.
• If you need
accommodations,
explain what type.
• After that, click “save” and
move to the “next page.”
USDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.
Step Three 28

29. Interest Area
Section
• Select your area of
interest.
• Scroll down to continue
viewing areas of
interest.
• Choose your location
 State Agency Field
Office or
 Headquarters (DC,
MD or VA).
• After that, click “save”
and move to the “next
page.”
Step Three 29

30. Education -
Academic Status
Information
Section
• Provide the following
information:
 Academic Status
 Academic Level
 Cumulative GPA
 Full-time or Part-
time status
 Degree anticipated
 Anticipated
graduation
 Academic major
Step Three 30

31. Continue -
Academic Status
Information
Section
• Select your “Academic
Major.”
Step Three 31

32. Continue -
Academic Status
Information
Section
• If you don’t find your
“major/field” type it
here.
• Upload your Resume
by clicking “Select Files.”
• After that, click “save”
and move to the “next
page.”
Step Three 32

33. INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPLOADING DOCUMENTS
1. Click on the button first By 5. Once the document is uploaded the uploaded document will be
clicking on the selected file button a window similar displayed in a table at the bottom of the page where you will be
to the one shown below will open. able to view them.
2. Select the PDF document you want to upload.
6. Same instructions need to be followed for uploading (Resumes,
Transcripts and DD-214, and Schedule B certifications.
7. To upload Transcripts, just you must click the “Add School and
Continue.
3. All the selected files will appear in the File name: text then Click
on the Open button. You will see a progress bar for each file that Please Click "Save & Continue.." button to save all the school
you have selected as shown below. information that you have provided and continue with uploading
transcripts(s) and/or other related Document(s).
4. Click on the Upload All link to upload the documents to the
web site. Once the Files are uploaded the following confirmation
message will appear which included the number of files
successfully uploaded.
8/2/2012 Step Three
33
33

34. Education - School
Information
Section
• In this section, list the
school(s) in which you
are currently registered
and upload your
transcript and/or letter of
acceptance.
• To upload more than
one school, scroll down
and click: (follow the
instructions)
Step Three 34

35. Education - School
Information
Section
• Click here to add more
than one school and
upload transcripts.
• The document will be
uploaded into the
application as it appears
here.
• As part of your
application, please list
work experience dates
(Month, Day, Year) and
number of hours worked
per week. If this
information is not
submitted, your work
experience will not be
credited.
• Click submit.
Step Three 35

36. • How do I know each
section is completed?
When you see a check
mark on each box!
• If the check mark is not on
the box, click “Previous
Page” to go back to each
section of your application
and review it.
• All the boxes should be
checked before
processing for submission.
• Submit your application by
clicking continue.
Step Three 36

37. • After submitting your
application, you will be
prompted to review one
more time your
completed application.
• Print a copy of your
application for your
records. The copy will
be in PDF. Just save it in
your documents.
• Click proceed to submit
your application
Step Three 37

38. Certification and
Submission Section
• Please certify and
submit your
application.
• If you make any
changes to any section
of your application, you
must return to this
page and recertify
those changes for
them to be considered.
Step Three 38

39. Agencies Internship
Vacancy Announcements
• After submitting your
application, you will be
allowed to proceed and
choose the vacancy
announcement you wish to
apply.
• If you don’t qualify for any
of the vacancy
announcement based of
skills needed, your
application will qualify you
for a general internship
opportunity. Remember
that our Agencies and
Administrative Offices are
always looking to hire
students throughout the
year.
Step Three 39

40. Confirmation Message
Section
• This message served as
your confirmation to
acknowledge that your
application was
successfully submitted.
Step Three 40

41. Confirmation Message
Section
• This message served as
From: StudentPortal@ocio.usda.gov a second confirmation to
Date: 10 Apr 2012 11:29:49 -0400 acknowledge that your
To: <wc2187@yahoo.com> application was
Subject: Student Internship Program successfully submitted.
Your application is successfully submitted for the following vacancy.
Job Number : RMA-HQ-SUM-12-04-WDC
Agency : RMA
You can always view your application details @ http://www.studentapplication.usda.gov/
***Please do not respond directly to this e-mail. The originating e-mail account is not
monitored.***
Step Three 41

42. Mission Areas

43. Research, Education and
Economics (REE)

44. Research, Education and Economics (REE)
Mission Areas:
The Research, Education and Economics (REE) Mission
Area is dedicated to the creation of a
safe, sustainable, competitive U.S. food and fiber system
and strong, healthy communities, families, and youth
through integrated research, analysis and education.
• The five agencies are:
 The Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
 The Economic Research Service (ERS),
 The National Agricultural Library (NAL),
 The National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), and
 The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

45. Agricultural Research Service
Type of Job Opportunities at ARS
Jobs ARS ERS NASS NIFA
Research Scientists √ - - -
Postdoctoral Research Associates √ * - *
Professional, Administrative, and
Technical Staff √ √ √ √
Secretarial and Clerical Staff √ √ √ √
Trades and Crafts Workers √ - - -
Student and Summer Employees √ √ √ √
• Internships √ -√ -√ -√
• Scholarships √ √ √ √
• Other Fellowships - - - √
• Presidential Management
Fellowship Program (PMF) √ √ √ √
• Volunteer Opportunities √ * √ *
- = Not available * = Some times √ = Available

46. National Agricultural Statistics Service
The statistics agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
 Provides timely, accurate, useful statistics
 Conducts the Census of Agriculture every
five years and hundreds of surveys each year
 Policymakers, farmers, businesses, and
community planners use our data

47. NASS Intern Opportunities
NASS primary career paths
 Survey Statistician
 Mathematical Statistician
 IT Specialist
NASS hires from many majors
Agricultural economics and science * Computer science * Demography *
Engineering * GIS * Information science * Mathematics * Statistics

48. Point of Contact for REE Internships
Agricultural Research Service Mary Weber Mary.Weber@ars.usda.gov 301-504-1397
National Agricultural Statistics
Mary DeNardo Mary.DeNardo@nass.usda.gov 202-720-4971
Service
National Institute of Food and
Eboni Wiggins Eboni.Wiggins@ars.usda.gov 301-504-1757
Agriculture
Economic Research Service Loretta Miller
erssummerinterns@ers.usda.gov 202-694-5379
(Serves ERS)

49. Food Safety (FS)

50. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
Our mission:
• Ensure the nation’s commercial supply of
meat, poultry and egg products is safe,
wholesome, correctly labeled and
packaged
• Career opportunities:
 Public Health Inspection
 Scientific and Technical
 Administrative and Professional

51. Application Process and Point of Contact
• For FSIS internships:
 Non-veterinary Students: submit your application via
www.studentapplication.usda.gov or send your resume
and transcript to fsisstudentjobs@fsis.usda.gov
 Veterinary students: apply for the Veterinary Student
Employment Program announcement via
www.USAJobs.gov available November-December
• For FSIS externships (student volunteers):
 Email laura.sepulveda@fsis.usda.gov
• Point of Contact:
Laura Sepulveda
202-720-9401
laura.sepulveda@fsis.usda.gov

52. Natural Resources
and Environment
(NRE)

53. Forest Service (FS)
• 5 Research Stations Forest
Products Laboratory
• 1 International Institute of
Tropical Forestry
• 77 Research Units
• 67 Locations
• 81 Experimental Forests
• 370 Research Natural Areas
• 550 Research Scientists
“Science Serving Society”

54. FS Educational Qualifications
• Degrees:
High School
Associate Degree
B.S. Degree
M.S. Degree
Ph.D. Degree
• Forest Service hires for professional, technical,
clerical and administrative positions.
• The Forest Service hires up to 3, 000 Students
depending on work needs and budget.
• Hiring for Student Temporary positions take place
as early as March and may last through
September.
• SCEP students are hired year round.
• Recruitment for these positions start as early as
November of each year.

55. FS Application Process
Application Packages sent to Recruiter@fs.fed.us should include the following:
• A cover letter to include information about the student and why they want to work for the
forest Service
• A current resume, to include references
• Up-to-date college transcripts OR High School report Card. Unofficial transcripts/report
cards or copies will be accepted if legible but must be include current GPA and degree
program
• Letter of Acceptance or Letter of Enrollment from educational institutions
• DD-214 (Member Copy 4) or other relevant documentation, if claiming Veteran’s
Preference
• Geographic Location Preference
 NOTE: DO NOT put Social Security Numbers on any documents

56. Point of Contact for FS Internships
• Apply at: http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/
• Send a one page resume to: http://www.studentapplication.usda.gov
• Contacts:
 National Employment Manager: Pedro M. Nieto: pmnieto@fs.fed.us
 National Student Recruiter: Julie Ortiz: julieortiz@fs.fed.us
 National Veteran Recruiter: Sonia Montoya: ssonia@fs.fed.us
 MWSI Manager: Berlinda Baca: bbacasanchez@fs.fed.us
 National Student Veteran & Disabilities: jmcgaughran@fs.fed.us

57. Natural Resources
Conservation Service
(NRCS)

58. How Can You Be Involved?
NRCS Careers:
• Soil Conservationist
• Rangeland Specialist
• Soil Scientist
• Civil/Agricultural Engineer
• Biologist

59. Point of Contact for NRCS Internships
• To apply, submit to: NRCS.recruitment@wdc.usda.gov
 Resume
 Copy of Transcripts
 Letter of Interest with desired location
• Nationwide Opportunities
• Stipends to assist with transportation or housing may be
available
• Tanya Robles, Student Program Coordinator, NRCS
 Tanya.Robles@wdc.usda.gov or 202-690-3477

60. Farm and Foreign
Agriculture Service
(FFAS)

61. Farm Service Agency (FSA)
• FSA ensures the well-being of American agriculture, the environment, and the American
public through the administration of farm commodity program; farm ownership.
 operating and emergency loans
 conservation and environment program
 emergency and disaster assistance
 domestic and international food assistance
• FSA programs are delivered through an extensive network of offices located throughout
the United States and Puerto Rico.

62. Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS)
• FAS works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products. FAS
operates market development and assistance programs designed to
build new markets and improve the competitive position of U.S.
agriculture in the global marketplace.
• FAS programs help U.S, exporters develop and maintain markets
overseas for hundreds of food and agricultural products, from bulk
commodities to brand-name items.

63. Risk Management Agency (RMA)
• RMA administers the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation (FCIC) programs and promotes
national welfare by improving the economic
stability of agriculture through a secure system of
crop insurance and risk management tools.
• RMA meets the crop insurance and risk
management needs of the Nation’s small and
limited-resource farmers and ranchers through a
network of public and private-sector partners.
• Together, RMA and these partners create new
crop insurance and risk management products,
provide risk management education and outreach,
and ensure program accessibility and integrity.

64. FFAS Student Employment Programs
• FFAS actively participates in a variety of student programs
offered during the summer and year-round.
• We offer challenging careers, career development opportunities,
excellent benefits, and competitive salaries.
• FFAS participates in the following student employment
programs:
 USDA/1890 National Scholars Program (1890)
 1994 Tribal Scholar Program (1994)
 Public Service Leaders Scholars Program
 Washington Internship for Native Students (WINS)
 Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
 Summer Internship Program (SIP)
 Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
 International Agricultural Internship Program (FAS ONLY)
 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
 Presidential Management Fellowship Program (PMF)
 Student Volunteer Program

65. Point of Contact for FFAS Internships
For more information on RMA and FSA, please contact:
Keisha Jones, Program Manager at keisha.jones@wdc.usda.gov
For more information on FAS, please contact:
Nikia Sizer, Program Manager at Nikia.Sizer@wdc.usda.gov

66. Marketing and
Regulatory Programs
(MRP)

67. Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP)
• MRP facilitates domestic and international
marketing of U.S. agricultural products and
ensures the health and care of animals and
plants.
• Agencies:
 Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS)
 Animal Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS)
 Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards
Administration (GIPSA)

68. MRP Student Internship Opportunities
Agency Positions Locations
Agricultural Marketing Trainee
Market Reporting Trainee
AMS
Administrative Assistant/Clerk
Agricultural Commodity Grader
Economist Trainee
Veterinary Student Trainee
Throughout the US
Biological Science Lab Technician
APHIS Biological Science Student Trainee
Animal Health Technician
Administrative Assistant/Clerk
Agricultural Marketing Trainee
GIPSA
Agricultural Commodity Grader
Administrative Assistant/Clerk

69. Application Process & MRP Point of Contact
• Applying to MRP internships:
 For summer student positions and for other
internship or scholarship opportunities, please
visit www.USAJobs.gov
• MRP Point of Contact:
Heidi Bock
MRP Student Employment Coordinator
612-336-3343
Heidi.L.Bock@aphis.usda.gov

70. Food, Nutrition and
Consumer Services
(FNCS)

71. Food and Nutrition Service
Our mission:
• To provide children and needy families better access to food and a more healthful
diet through its food assistance programs and comprehensive nutrition education
efforts.
• FNS works in partnership with the States in all its programs. Headquarter is located
in Alexandria VA with offices in 7 Regions to include:
√ Robbinsville, NJ
√ Chicago, IL
√ Denver, CO
√ San Francisco, CA
√ Boston, MA
√ Atlanta, GA
√ Dallas, TX

72. Food and Nutrition Service
• FNS Programs:
√ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
√ Women's, Infants, and Children (WIC)
√ School Breakfast Program
√ School Lunch Program
√ Summer Food Service Program
√ Child and Adult Care Food Program

73. FNS Student Internship Opportunities
• Career opportunities:
√ Program Analyst
Food and Nutrition Service
√ Nutritionist
√ Dietitian
(FNS)
√ Management Analyst
√ Budget/Financial Specialist
√ Accountant
• Point of Contact:
 When available, internships will be advertised using the USDA Student Portal.
 Submit your application via www.studentapplication.usda.gov
 For FNS (non-paid volunteer program) email Joanie.Dilone@fns.usda.gov

74. Interns Success Stories

75. Former Interns Success Stories
Lazaro Sandoval works at USDA-FAS – Office of Global Analysis (OGA) as an
International Trade Specialist. He graduated from Fresno State, a HACU member
institution, with a Bachelors degree in Agricultural Business. As an undergraduate
he completed two internships with the USDA through the HACU National Internship
Program. Lazaro also worked with many agencies within the USDA at the national,
regional, and local level; such as FSA, RD, APHIS, FAS, and AMS. In summer 2010,
Lazaro became the first Fresno State student to intern through the prestigious
USDA-FAS International Agricultural Internship Program (IAIP).
Idelisse Rodríguez currently works as a program analyst for the USDA Grain
Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). She is living testimony of
the great opportunities that the USDA offers Hispanic students like herself who are
interested in public service. Idelisse started working with GIPSA eight years ago as a
summer intern under the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Internship
Program also known as HACU. She worked as a HACU intern for two consecutive
summers. In 2004, after completing a Bachelors Degree in Economics at Haverford
College, she returned to work with GIPSA permanently as a compliance officer.
GIPSA gave her the opportunity to complete her graduate studies at Georgetown
University in Business Communications through the Student Career Enhancement
Program. Idelisse also works as the Hispanic Special Emphasis Program Manager
for her agency and recently completed GIPSA’s Leadership Development Program.

76. Join Our Team!

77. Student Employment Program Contact Information
Applicant
Program Manager
77

78. Department Student Employment Program
Manager
General Questions:
Wenndy Carrasco, M.P.A.
Student Employment Program Manager
Office of Human Resources Management
Wenndy.Carrasco@dm.usda.gov or USDA.internships@dm.usda.gov
202-260-8335
For technical questions, send inquiries via email at DMAPPSERVICES_DL@ocio.usda.gov
78

79. Mission Areas Student Employment Program
Managers
Agency Contact Email Phone
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS)
Farm Services Agency Keisha Valentine-Jones keisha.jones@wdc.usda.gov 202-401-0228
Risk Management Agency
Foreign Agriculture Service Nikia Sizer nikia.sizer@wdc.usda.gov
202-401-0176
Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services
Food and Nutrition Service Joanie Dilone FNSOpportunities@fns.usda.gov 703-305-2463
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion Serves FNS and CNPP
Food Safety Laura Sepulveda fsisstudentjobs@fsis.usda.gov 202-720-9401
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Natural Resources and Environment (NRE)
Forest Service Laura Medina lauramedina@fs.fed.us 505-563-9262
Natural Resources Conservation Service Tanya Robles tanya.robles@wdc.usda.gov 202-720-0768
Office of Environmental Markets
Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) Heidi Bock heidi.bock@aphis.usda.gov 612-336-3343
Agricultural Marketing Service;
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service;
Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards
Administration
Office of the Inspector General Candace Samuels candace.samuels@oig.usda.gov 202-720-7538
Research, Education and Economics (REE)
Agricultural Research Service Mary Weber mary.weber@ars.usda.gov 301-504-1397
National Agricultural Statistics Service Mary DeNardo mary_denardo@nass.usda.gov 202-720-4971
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Eboni Wiggins eboni.wiggins@ars.usda.gov 301-504-1757
Economic Research Service
Loretta Miller lmiller@ers.usda.gov 202-694-5379
Rural Development (RD) Leslie McBroom leslie.mcbroom@wdc.usda.gov 202-692-0199
79

80. Most Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT DOES A COMPLETE APPLICATION INCLUDE?
• Online Application Form
• Resume (upload)
• Transcript (unofficial is acceptable) (upload)
All items are to be electronically submitted as part of the application. Please upload the documents in Word or PDF format and follow
the instructions when uploading the documents.
WHEN IS THE APPLICATION DUE?
Applications are accepted beginning the last week of January through the last week of April of each year and notification of
placements are made between mid - April and mid - May of each year. Orientation day starts in mid-June for headquarter interns
and orientation for field interns starts on their first day of work.
WHEN ARE PLACEMENTS MADE?
Agency student employment coordinators search the repository application database and can select your application. The student
employment coordinator then verifies whether an available position exists within the agency, and at the requested field office, for a
student with your characteristics and qualifications (college major, work experience background, skill-set). The student
employment coordinator will forward the application to a hiring manager based on your characteristics.
The hiring manager interviews and selects the student. Once the hiring manager selects the student and makes the offer, the
Agency student employment coordinator makes the arrangements for placement at the agency, providing selectee with
informational materials for placement and orientation schedule .
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR USDA STUDENT PROGRAMS
If you have any questions or concerns, please send your inquiry via email at USDA.Internships@dm.usda.gov. In the subject area
write: “Student Employment Program.”
For technical questions ONLY regarding the “Student Portal” site, please direct your questions or concerns to the following email
address: Dmappservices_DL@ocio.usda.gov.