Appointment Types and Application Form
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Q. How do I apply for a Bureau of Reclamation position?
A. You may apply for a Student Position with the Bureau of Reclamation with a resume or an Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612). Although the Federal government does not require a standard application form for most jobs, information is needed to evaluate your qualifications. If you decide to submit a resume, the following information must be included:
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Job Information: announcement number, title and grade;
Personal Information:
Full Name;
Mailing address with zip code;
Day and evening phone numbers with area code;
social security number;
Country of Citizenship;
Veterans’ preference;
Reinstatement eligibility, if applicable;
Highest federal grade ever held, if applicable.
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Education: High school, college, and/or university name and location. Majors and type and year of any degrees received (if no degree, please show the total number of credits earned and indicate whether they are semester or quarter hours).
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Other Qualifications: Job related training courses, job related skills, job related certificates and licenses, job related honors, awards, and special accomplishments. An online OF-612 is available for you. When you click on the OF-612 hyperlink, you can print to a laser printer the OF-612 and complete it off-line by hand or typewriter. The OF-612 may be completed on-line; however, it cannot be saved for future use.
Since your application is used to qualify you, plan carefully. Your application is the first thing a prospective employer sees. Volunteer work may also be used to qualify you for a position. Remember to include volunteer work experience that is related to the position for which you are applying. You should include a copy of your college transcripts and current class schedule.
Q. What is the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)?
A. The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) is a paid student program, which offers you valuable work experience directly related to your academic field of study. It provides formal periods of work and study while you are attending school. It requires a commitment by you, your school, and the Bureau of Reclamation. You may be eligible for permanent employment after successfully completing your education and meeting work requirements.
Q. What is the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)?
A. The Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) offers you temporary paid employment. Employment can range from summer jobs to positions that can last for as long as you are a student. These employment opportunities need not be related to your academic field of study.
Q. Can a student appointed to either the Student Career Experience Program or the Student Temporary Employment Program remain on the appointment once they have completed their educational requirements?
A. Student appointed to the Student Career Experience Program may continue on the appointment for 120 days beyond the date of completing their academic requirements. At the end of the 120 days, if the graduate has not been converted to a permanent position, he/she must be separated.
Once a student appointed to the Student Temporary Employment Program has completed the requirements for his/her degree/diploma/certificate (as appropriate), he/she is no longer a student and must be separated. The reason for the separation is that they are no longer “students” and therefore no longer meet the basic eligibility for the program. If enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an additional education program, they may be given a new appointment.
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| Eligibility Requirements |
Q. How many times can a student be appointed to the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)? The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)?
A. There is no limit on the number of times a student may be appointed as long as he/she meets the eligibility requirements for the appointment. (Refer to our General Information page under the eligibility requirements.)
Q. Is U.S. Citizenship required?
A. Yes.
Q. Is there an age requirement for students to participate in the Student Educational Employment Program?
A. Yes. You must be 16 years of age.
Q. Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
A. Yes. 2.00 cumulative GPA.
Q. Do students need to take any written tests to apply for the STEP?
A. No. Written tests are waived for entry into the STEP.
Q. Can a student pursuing a GED be eligible for the Student Educational Employment Program?
A. Yes, a student enrolled in GED courses and pursuing a GED diploma meets the definition of a student. Due to the general nature of the course work, the student might not be eligible for the Student Career Experience Program but would be eligible for the Student Temporary Employment Program.
Q. Can a son or daughters of an agency employee participate in that agency’s Student Educational Employment Program?
A. Yes, there is no longer a restriction that would bar a student from working at the same agency as his/her parent. The only requirement is that the parent and student have no direct reporting relationship and that the relative not advocate the employment, promotion or advancement of the student.
Q. Do students have to submit official transcripts every Semester or Quarter?
A. No. Official transcripts are requested only once a year. However, unofficial transcripts are requested after every Quarter or Semester.
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| Pay and Benefits |
Q. Can a student be promoted?
A. Yes, students in both programs are eligible for promotion.
Q. Can students receive pay increases?
A. Yes. If Federal employees receive an annual cost of living increase, all students would receive this increase. Additionally, students in the Student Career Experience Program are eligible for what is referred to as within grade increases.
Q. Are students eligible for annual and sick leave?
A. Yes, students in both programs are eligible to earn annual and sick leave. Students who work full-time normally accrue four (4) hours of annual leave and four (4) hours of sick leave per pay-period. The hours are pro-rated for students working part-time.
Q. Are students eligible for health and life insurance benefits?
A. Health and life insurance coverage for Federal employees depends on the type of appointment an employee has and expectation of substantial employment during the year. Students in the Student Temporary Employment Program are considered temporary employees and are generally not entitled to these benefits. However, once students have been continuously employed for a year without a break in service exceeding five days, they may enroll in the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, buy they would have to pay 100% of the premium (i.e., both the employee and the government share). There is no provision for temporary employees to be eligible for life insurance coverage.
Q. Are students eligible for retirement benefits?
A. Students in the Student Temporary Employment Program are generally ineligible for retirement coverage. Students in the Student Career Experience Program with less than five years of prior civilian service are generally covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
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| Schedules |
Q. Is there a minimum number of hours students must work per week?
A. No. Students may work full-time or part-time any time during the academic year with the approval from their supervisor.
Q. Do students need to attend school full-time?
A. No. Students must be enrolled at least half-time as defined by the school and their supervisor.
Q. Can students change their work schedule from time to time?
A. Yes. Work schedules can change, but must be approved by their supervisor. Work schedules should not interfere with the student’s academic schedule.
Q. Can students be placed on intermittent schedules?
A. An intermittent work schedule is only appropriate when the nature of the work is so sporadic and unpredictable that a tour of duty cannot be scheduled in advance. It is not the intent of the Student Educational Employment Program to have students working in these types of positions. Students can work full or part time schedules, as best meets their needs and the needs of the agency.
Q. Must students work or attend school during the summer?
A. The intent of the Student Educational Employment Program is that students are always either attending classes, working at the agency, or both. However, agencies may use their discretion to permit a “break in program” during which time a student is neither attending classes nor working. The student will be placed on leave without pay (LWOP) during this time.
Q. Can students work after business hours or work at home?
A. No. Students must work under supervision.
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| Conversion from Student Temporary to Student Career Experience Program |
Q. Does a student’s work experience, while on the student temporary appointment, count toward the required time necessary for noncompetitive conversion to permanent employment?
A. Yes, if the work performed is related to the student’s academic studies and career goals.
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| Conversion to Student Career Experience Program |
Q. When does the 120-day conversion window begin…upon completion of course requirements or upon “graduation ceremony day?”
A. Upon satisfactory completion of course requirements.
Q. Can a student work any of the required 640 hours necessary for conversion, after he/she completed his/her educational requirements?
A. The required work experience must be gained prior to, or concurrent with the completion of the student’s education.
The Bureau of Reclamation is an Equal Opportunity Employer |
