Fact Sheet

The USGS Federal Career Intern Program is designed to enable managers to recruit and attract exceptional individuals into a variety of occupations.  It was created under Executive Order 13162.  In general, individuals hired into the program will receive excepted-service appointments not to exceed two years, unless extended by the USGS, with the concurrence of OPM, for up to one additional year. They will be hired at grades GS-5 through GS-9. The intern program must include a two-year training component designed and approved by the USGS. Individuals who successfully complete the program are eligible for conversion to career or career-conditional appointments.

How the Program Works

1. The SPO works with the manager to determine the appropriate method of receipt of applications described below.  Participants are recruited through the following methods:
   1. Applications may be accepted in response to a job vacancy announcement. Candidates apply via the USGS Online Applicant Recruitment System (OARS).
   2. Applications may be received from attendees at special targeted   recruitment events e.g., job fairs, college recruitment activities, and similar events.
   3. An Applicant Supply File (ASF) may be established and maintained for positions filled on a regular and recurring basis and for hard-to-fill positions requiring lengthy or continuous recruitment. ASF procedures must be documented in writing and fully communicated to prospective applicants.

Note: Registrants on the Priority Re-employment List and Re-employment List must be considered in accordance with Personnel Bulletin 02-7 (302), Departmental Policy on Reemployment Lists in the Excepted Service, prior to considering candidates from a Regular Employment List.

2. The Serving Personnel Office (SPO) reviews the resumes for eligibility and the candidates are referred to the selecting official for consideration in accordance with the regulations established in Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 302. Veterans preference applies to the selection of Career Interns. Selections are to be made in accordance with merit principles.
   
3. Once a selection is made, the supervisor, working with the SPO and Office of Employee Development (OED), will develop an Intern Development and Training Plan and will identify appropriate training sources.  The OED will conduct an orientation session for the trainee and manager/supervisor. The Intern Development and Training Plan must cover the full two-year period of the intern appointment.
   
4. On a quarterly basis, the supervisor evaluates the intern’s performance, progress, and training. The intern evaluates the training received and provides comments and constructive criticism on training still needed. This documentation, from both the supervisor and intern, will be forwarded on to the SPO who will file the evaluation reports in the employee’s Official Personnel File (OPF).
   
5. Upon successful completion of the Program, which will be documented by the supervisor and a memorandum forwarded to the SPO, the intern is eligible for conversion to a permanent position within an agency.
   
   Individuals selected for a Federal Career Intern Program position must sign a statement (Federal Career Intern Program Statement of Understanding) acknowledging they understand the specific action to be taken if they fail to successfully complete the program for reasons unrelated to misconduct or suitability.
   
6. If a USGS employee who held a career or career-conditional appointment in USGS immediately before being selected for the program fails to complete the program for reasons unrelated to misconduct or suitability, the employee will be placed in a position equivalent in grade, tenure and pay to the position held before selection into the Program.
   
7. If the employee is selected for the program from another Bureau or agency, USGS may exercise their delegated authority and provide placement for an employee eligible for reinstatement in the competitive service, who successfully completes the program but cannot be placed for reasons unrelated to misconduct or suitability, and does not have a placement entitlement as stated above (6). Otherwise, an intern who is not converted must be terminated.
   
8. Federal Career Interns are eligible for selected benefits including (in most cases) annual and sick leave, holiday pay, and health and life insurance.

Further Questions

Questions regarding the Federal Career Intern Program can be addressed to the Servicing Personnel Office. The USGS Federal Career Intern Program Survey Manual Chapter also provides additional information regarding the Program.