Central California Consortium

The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) have been replaced by the new Pathways federal hiring authority. The Pathways Program - Not To Exceed (NTE) is similar to the STEP program, and the Pathways Program - Indefinite is similar to the SCEP program. The new student program hiring authority will still allow students to work for the Forest Service and become exposed to the federal government while pursuing their degrees.

The Pathways Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work with the federal government and explore various federal careers. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service. Additional information about the Internship Program can be found at www.usajobs.gov/studentsandgrads/. Here are some key provisions of the Internship Program.

Path to Permanent Employment (Indefinite appointment)
Interns may be converted to a permanent position (or, in some limited circumstances, to a term position lasting 1-4 years) within 120 days of successful completion of the program. To be eligible for conversion, Interns must:

The Generation Green Career Advancement Program (GGCAP) was created to allow the California Consortium (CC) to continue the mission of the program which is conducting targeted outreach and recruitment to underserved minority students. Due to the new changes in the federal student employment hiring authority, the CC no longer has authority to directly hire students. The new national Pathways application process has created challenges in conducting localized targeted recruitment and placement.

Consequently, the GGCAP is an approach to continue providing resources catered to diverse communities. While the CC can service all students, GGCAP will focus on targeted recruitment which will result in high diversity. Honing in on a targeted minority applicant pool will enable the CC to provide tailored services to these students. Once students become GGCAP Associates, they will begin receiving services to increase their chances of becoming employed with the US Forest Service.

In addition, Generation Green CAP allows the CC to have a tracking system of students that the CC is working with. Hiring managers will be able to cross reference the national database with GGCAP Associates who submitted applications.

4. How will the CA Consortium assist supervisors in identifying and selecting a student?

In order to service students and accommodate supervisor needs, the CC will now focus on conducting recruitment for supervisors and assisting students with applications to Temp 1039 open continuous positions in addition to Pathways internship positions. This will give the CC the flexibility to recruit throughout the year and supervisors the opportunity to hire a student using multiple hiring options anytime they have a need.

The CC is actively recruiting at colleges and universities throughout California. The CC will focus on conducting targeted recruitment to build a diverse talented applicant pool on USAjobs for supervisors. The CC will take the time to meet with students one-on-one, conduct workshops and training to ensure students submit applications correctly and completely. The CC will assist qualified students with their applications to ensure they make the certificate lists for positions they apply to.

Assisting Supervisors with Pathways Program

A call letter or reply due will be sent out to all Forest Service employees twice a year in January and August. This will be an opportunity for supervisors to estimate the number of employees they anticipate hiring under the new student Pathways Program. If you are a potential supervisor and did not submit a request this year, you may still hire a Pathways student. All Pathways positions will be announced throughout the U.S. under the proposed national occupation 99 series (View table in Question 2) in grades: 3, 4, and 5.

Deadline : Positions will only be available for 3-7 days around the third week in February, so if you would like the CC to assist you in outreach and recruitment for a Pathways student position in 2013, you need to contact us now! Submit a Recruitment Request Form

Assisting Supervisors with Temp Program (OCR)

The CC will now also be assisting supervisors with recruitment of Temporary 1039 positions available on USAJobs under Open Continuous Recruitment (OCR).

The following webpage includes the OCR positions that students may qualify for. We encourage students to apply for these positions.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ccc/internship/temp.positions.shtml

Deadline : If you would like the CC to assist you in outreach and recruitment for a Temp 1039 position, you may submit a recruitment request form all year round.

Students targeted by the CC will be identified as Generation Green Career Advancement Program Associates, and their information will be entered into a database. Each time the California Consortium receives a recruitment request form from a supervisor; the CC program will work with its GGCAP Associates to identify students with interests (e.g. location preference, career interest, major, etc.) relevant to the recruitment request. These students will be encouraged to apply. A list of GGCAP students which submitted applications will be presented to the supervisors to cross reference with the certificate list pulled for these positions.

The CC can assist supervisors with student employment from beginning to end; including the recruitment, application, selection, and hiring process. For more information on resources and benefits of working with the CC, view questions.

If you are a potential supervisor and would like the CC to assist you in creating a diverse and competitive applicant pool for your position, please complete the Recruitment Request form located below.

5. What are the benefits of selecting a Pathways Program intern through the CA Consortium?

Supervisors will receive assistance in the recruitment, application, selection, and hiring process. The CC has worked with student employment programs for over 15 years and staff members have the skill and expertise to provide guidance for supervisors. The CC has received recognition for proven best practices and a track record of efficiency and results. Services include:

Our goal is to provide quality work experiences for both students and supervisors. This program will allow students to experience the diversity of careers in the Forest Service and other natural resource agencies. They will take the experience they have at your department back to their schools and serve as ambassadors for future recruitment efforts in a rewarding government career.

The CC will guide students through the USAJobs application process and ensure students are eligible for at least one of the following programs:

Students come from a variety of backgrounds with interests in biology, civil engineering, business, soil science, environmental science, geology, criminology, and recreation to name a few. CA Consortium staff members actively outreach and recruit students throughout the state of California.

Some of our students have worked for the Forest Service before and are strongly recommended. Other students have education and work experience relevant to positions with the Forest Service. The CC works with various wildland fire programs. Students in these programs are administered the pack test prior to completion of the program. Many students are looking for their first real work experience and an opportunity to learn while working and gaining skills they can use in their future.

The CC may be able to provide funding assistance for a selected GGCAP on a case by case basis. Contact a CC Internship Coordinator in your area for more information.

Learn more about the California Consortium Employment Program

Assisting Supervisors with Pathways Program

Assisting Supervisors with Temp Program (OCR)