Central California Consortium

FS Internships on USAJobs Help Center

Increase your chances of finding an internship with the Forest Service by learning to navigate through USAJOBS.

1. What you can do in advance to prepare
2. Build or upload your resume
3. Upload valid transcripts
4. Include general cover letter
5. Include all required documents
6. Include additional documents in your application
7. Helpful search terms
8. Determine what you qualify fo (GS Levels)
9. Submit application on eRecruit
10. Complete assessment questions with optimum results

1.What you can do in advance to prepare

• Get familiar with USAJobs. See “How to Apply for a Job on USAJobs” at: http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/USAJOBS_Instructions.pdf
• Create an account on USAJobs website. https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Account
• Sign-up for e-mail notifications which include Forest Service job postings using the “save search” function in your USAJobs profile.
• Go to the Forest Service website and decide which locations you would be willing to work at: http://www.fs.fed.us/maps/products/guide-national-forests09.pdf
• You can learn more about how to apply for Pathways opportunities on USAJobs through an Office of Personnel Management video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQzXYVqBmZg&feature=youtu.be

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2.Build or upload resume

• In your USAJobs account, you can create or upload, and store up to 5 different resumes to apply to federal Job Opportunity Announcements. You can also make a resume searchable to allow agencies to find you.
• If you want to build a resume using the format provided copy and paste it from your personal Word document, you can save your Word document as .rtf to keep the same format when you copy and paste it into USAJobs.
• Click on Upload Resume if you are attaching a word document resume saved on your computer *note: it has to be a government standard resume Government Resume Guide link: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ccc/internship/gov.resume.guide.pdf Sample Resume link: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ccc/internship/sampleresume.pdf
• Click on Build New Resume if you are creating a new one
• Resume tutorial link https://www.usajobs.gov/Content/pdfs/Tutorials-Resume.pdf
• Tips on most effective resumes https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Most_Effective_Resumes

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3.Uploading valid transcripts

• Just print, scan and attach your transcripts onto “Saved Documents” in your profile on USAJobs.

  Your transcripts do not need to be official. All you have to do is retrieve them from your college website print, scan, and upload them. Once they are printed, you should see a web link at the top or bottom of the page providing proof they were not tampered with. Every college and university is a little different. Some printed transcripts show the words “unofficial Transcripts” washed out across the entire page. Ensure your transcripts include the following information.

  • Proof of enrollment (showing that you are taking a one-half time course load)
  • Must clearly show the name of the institution and student name
  • Current and Cumulative GPA
  • Enrollment dates
  • Term/quarter or semester with corresponding year
  • Expected graduation date
  • The Student must be accepted or enrolled in a degree-seeking program, which is defined as a curriculum in which the student works toward a specific degree or certificate.

  View the link for an example of Valid Transcripts from a community college – Sample Transcripts

  We encourage students to submit transcripts from all colleges and universities they have attended. Submitting ALL college transcripts will assist in the evaluation of your qualifications and can be the different between qualifying or not for a position.

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4. Include general cover letter

We strongly encourage students, especially if applying to a new position, to upload a cover letter to be included with their job application. Cover letters are an extra tool that allows employers to notice things such as your writings skills, and obstacles you overcame. A letter gives you the opportunity for you to persuade the employer you have passion and interest in the position.

If you are submitting your application to multiple locations, be sure to attach a general cover letter, which includes a general overview of yourself and your kills.

A sample cover letters will be enclosed in the nearfuture

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5. Helpful search terms for Job Search

The following documents must be submitted (if they apply to you) to constitute a complete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure that all required documents are received within the required timeframes. Failure to submit required, legible documents will result in elimination from consideration.

1. Government standard resume that includes the following information: 1) job information for which you are applying; 2) personal information; 3) education; 4) work experience including hours and pay; 5) volunteer experience including hours volunteered and, 6) other qualifications. Government Resume Guide link: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ccc/internship/gov.resume.guide.pdf Sample Resume link: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ccc/internship/sampleresume.pdf
2. College or High School Transcripts if education is required for meeting basic qualifications and/or you are substituting education for specialized experience.
3. SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action if you are a current or former Federal employee that will verify your federal status, position title, series and grade.
   1. To obtain the SF-50 Form please call our Human Resources Department at: (877) 372-7248 (Select Option 2 and follow prompts)
4. DD-214 (Member 4 Copy) and/or SF-15 Application for 10-point Veteran Preference if claiming Veterans’ Preference or eligibility for appointment under the VRA, VEOA, or 30% Disabled Veterans hiring authority.
5. Certification of Disability if you are eligible for appointment based on a disability under the Schedule A hiring authority. The certification must verify the applicant has a severe disability, is eligible under a Schedule A appointment authority, and he or she is able to perform the essential duties of the position. The certification must also describe any needed reasonable accommodation.

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6.Include additional documents in your application

USAJOBS gives you the option to upload documents such as transcripts, resumes, cover letters, SF-50 forms etc. The choice “other” will allow you to upload documents that are not listed, so i.e. certificates, awards, recommendation letters.

If you upload documents one by one under “other” and you apply for a job, only one document saved under “other” will be transferred to eRecruit (Forest Service Application submission webpage). In order to avoid this issue, you must create one single PDF with ALL the extra documents you want to include and then upload and save them under the category “other.”

Documents like resumes and transcripts should easily transfer over because you should have uploaded and saved them under their specified category. However, it is still recommended you double check all the documents transferred over onto eRecruit and are attached when you submit your final application.

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7.Helpful search terms for Job Search

You do not need to have an announcement number to find available jobs; jobs can be found by typing in job related terms. Here is a list of terms we recommend students to use:

• Student internships with the U.S. Forest Service
• Pathways internship
• Recent graduates
• Hotshot Crew
• Handcrew
• Recent graduate and your area of interest (i.e. recent graduate civil engineering)

Each job announcement will provide information such as agency, who may apply, salary, series and grade (GS level) etc. Be sure that you qualify for the GS level listed in order to be considered for the job (View Question 8).

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8.Determine what GS Level you qualify for (Pay and Skill levels)

The Federal Government hires people from various educational levels from high school with no experience to Ph.D.’s with established careers. Some occupations require a bachelor’s or graduate degree and credit for specific college classes. Some occupations require experience, education, or a combination of both. Some like office clerk require no education or experience to start.

GS level qualifications depend on the education and experience of the student or a combination of both. Below are examples of some of the qualifications for a GS-2 up to a GS-4 level. Volunteer and unpaid work experience may count towards general hours, so make sure to include total hours completed in your resume.

To qualify for a GS-02, you must meet at least one of the following or combination of both:

To qualify for a GS-03, you must meet at least one of the following:

To qualify for a GS-04, you must meet at least one of the following AND the Selective Factors:

Be aware that the qualifications included above are a general overview of the mentioned GS levels. The qualifications can vary from job to job; therefore we strongly encourage students to research the position of interest in order to become acquainted with the requirements of any position they want to apply. Click the following link to be directed to USAJOBS to search for examples: https://www.usajobs.gov/

View links for GS table which illustrates qualification and pay levels for the Forest Service: Hourly Pay and Annual Pay. All employees begin at a STEP 1 (only view the first column under STEP 1) B= base pay and O= overtime.

Every CA Consortium Forest Service Internship is a paid internship. Entry level students begin at a GS-2 ($10.95 per hour) or GS-3 level ($11.95 per hour) depending on education and work experience. More experienced students can start at GS-3 ($11.95 per hour) or 4 ($13.41 per hour). Persons in doctoral or professional, masters, and even bachelors programs are eligible for up to GS-11 ($27.51 per hour) based on qualifications.

Each candidate’s transcripts and government standard resume is evaluated to determine the GS level the individual qualifies for and whether the candidate qualifies for the position applying for

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9. Submit application on eRecruit

Once linked to eRecruit (Forest Service Application submission webpage), you will directed to complete 5 sections before you are able to submit your final application.

1. Core Eligibility Questions - Look over your personal information to verify everything is correct. Ensure attachments are included. It is imperative that your documents are transferred from USAJobs to eRecruit to submit a complete application packet.
2. Application Preferences - Be sure to select the locations where you are interested in working; not doing so will prevent your application from being sent to those locations.You can view the following link for locations in California organized by forest http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ccc/internship/map.shtml
3. Complete Minimum Qualification Questions – View Question 10
4. Complete Assessment Questions-  View Question 10
5. View Application Summary – You will have one last time to review all your information, attachments, and answers to assessment questions.

You can continue to resubmit your application numerous times. If you need to update your application, navigate back to the position you applied to, select update information, transfer all your new attachments to eRecruit, change any answers you wish to update, and resubmit or recertify your application.

IMPORTANT:  Never withdraw your application to submit a new one. Once an application is withdrawn from eRecruit, you will not be allowed to resubmit an application to that position using the same USAJobs account.

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10. Complete assessment questions with optimum results

Each job application will have a multiple choice minimum qualification and assessment question section. Although it is essential for you to honest, it is also important to recognize the intent of each question. The goals of these questions are to ensure you are capable and have experience completing the tasks for the job you are applying for. It is important to review the questions carefully and thoroughly and ask yourself, have I completed this type of work before in any context? Do not sell yourself short. Instead of assuming you do not have experience because you do not understand the question, be resourceful and look it up, ask your supervisors, classmates, or contact the CC. The answers to these questions will determine whether you will be considered for the position.

Below are example assessment questions and suggestions on how you may choose to answer them. Be aware that some questions allow the selection of multiple answers.

1. I have communicated verbally with the following individuals and groups on a recurring or as needed basis. Select all that apply.

• a) Supervisors
• b) Co-workers in my immediate work unit
• c) Co-workers in my organization
• d) Technical experts and specialists in my organization
• e) The public
• f) Private sector employees/representatives
• g) None of the above

SUGGESTIONS: If you worked on a group class project in which you were required to work regularly with assigned classmates and keep your teacher or instructor updated on the progress, you can and should select options a) and b). Also, if you volunteered to staff an informational booth for a club on campus, or participated in a carwash/ food sale for a club fundraiser, you can also select e).

2. Which of the following best describes your highest level of experience in communicating other than in writing? (Select all that apply)

• a) I have presented non-technical information to co-workers or employees within my work group.
• b) I have presented technical information to co-workers or employees within my work group.
• c) I have made presentations of both types of information to superiors, co-works and others.
• d) None of the above

SUGGESTIONS: If you have presented to classmates, instructors, or during an award ceremony or special event, you can select a) and c). If you presented a project for class to your classmates and teacher or instructor, you can select b).

3. Have you used hand tools to make repairs or complete minor construction projects?

• a) Yes
• d) No

SUGGESTIONS:  If you have used hand tools to complete a personal project, you may still select yes. The question does not ask whether you completed this task during work hours. The goal of these questions is to ensure you are capable of completing the work, not whether the work was completed during work hours or during your personal time.

We recommend you modify, reword or add any possible skills and qualifications to your resume you may have overlooked to make it more competitive.

To become familiar with job announcement questionnaires visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ccc/internship/temp.positions.shtml

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US Forest Service - Central California Consortium
Last Modified: Friday, 08 February 2013 at 21:09:37 EST