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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region
Federal Career Intern Program
The Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) is designed to help agencies recruit and attract exceptional individuals into a variety of occupations. It was created under Executive Order 13162 (http://www.opm.gov/EO/13162.asp ) and is intended for positions at grade levels GS-5, 7, and 9. This authority allows Federal agencies to make “excepted service” appointments of individuals to a 2-year internship. Upon successful completion of the program, interns may be eligible for permanent placement within an agency.
Interns are selected to complete a 2 year formal training and development program at one of our Southeast Region Offices or Field Stations (http://www.fws.gov/southeast/ ), consisting of formal training and full time work experiences. Some positions may require relocation for completion of the internship or upon conversion to a career appointment. This program is intended to recruit professional staff at the GS-5, 7, and 9 grade levels per year starting salary depending on education and experience) into the excepted service. You do not have to be a student to be eligible for this program. Typically, FCIP participants will already hold a bachelor’s level or higher degree. Your level of entrance will depend on your previous
education and work experience.
Position Locations
: Various FWS locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands, South Carolina, Tennessee
Career Intern Opportunities
While no specific intern positions have been identified, opportunities may become available in these career fields:*
| * Fishery and Wildlife Biology |
* Refuge Law Enforcement |
| * Forestry |
* Engineering |
| * National Wildlife Refuge Management |
* Media |
| * General Biology |
* Public Administration |
| * Outdoor Recreation Planning |
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How to Apply
Although there are no specific vacancies, applications are only accepted:
- Through attendance at targeted recruitment events (e.g., job fairs, college recruitment activities, and similar events). Potential applicants will be informed of the recruitment event, the jobs under recruitment and the appointment requirements. All applications submitted during the event for positions covered by the event will be accepted.
- Through a specific vacancy announcement that may be posted at www.usajobs.opm.gov.
Note: Applicants may contact offices directly to inquire about position opportunities at their location. Site information can be obtained from the office locator at http://www.fws.gov/offices/
Application packages must contain (1) a resume, (2) transcripts and (3) veterans preference documentation.
Pay & Benefits
See pay tables at www.opm.gov. Federal Career Interns are eligible for health benefits, life insurance, and federal retirement creditable service. They can also earn annual and sick leave and will be eligible for paid federal holidays.
FCIP Questions and Answers
What is the Career Intern Program?
The Federal Career Intern Program is designed to help agencies recruit and attract exceptional individuals into a variety of occupations. It was created under Executive Order 13162, and is intended for positions at grade levels GS-5, 7, and 9 or other trainee positions. In general, individuals are appointed to a 2-year internship. Upon successful completion of the internships, the interns may be eligible for permanent placement within an agency.
May agencies fill any entry level job at the GS-5, 7, and 9 (or equivalent) using the Career Intern Program?
Yes. An agency may use the Career Intern Program for any occupation as long as the agency has determined that the occupation lends itself to a formal training and development component.
Is public notice required when filling positions under the Career Intern Program?
No. Public notice is a statutory requirement under 5 U.S.C. 3327 and 3330 only when filling positions through the competitive examining process. However, agencies must follow merit principles when filling vacancies under the Career Intern Program.
How does the Career Intern Program differ from the Presidential Management Internship (PMI) Program?
The Career Intern program differs from the PMI program in several ways:
- Career Intern Program has no nominating process;
- Agencies develop and implement their own Career Intern programs;
- Career Intern Program is not restricted to individuals with graduate degrees;
- Career Intern appointments may be made at any time during the year.
How does the Career Intern Program differ from the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)?SCEP is a student program designed for college students interested in pursuing careers with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service upon graduation. FCIP is geared toward professionals who have already chosen a career field through completion of a degree program or work experience and are interested in applying their expertise to the work of the Service.
Are candidates subject to a new 2-year internship period if they move from one Career Intern position to another intern position?
No. Agencies are responsible for ensuring every intern is provided with at least 2 years of formal training. In a case of an intern transferring from one agency to another, time previously spent under a Career Intern Program counts toward the completion of the 2 year period if the intern is reappointed without a break in service. Agencies, at their discretion, may require additional training of Career Interns who move from one position to another to make sure the interns meet the new agency’s requirements. Any extension of the training program beyond 2 years must be approved by OPM.
Does veterans’ preference apply in the selection of Career Interns?
Yes. Veterans’ preference applies to the selection of Career Interns. Since Career Interns are appointed to positions in the excepted service, agencies must follow the procedures described in 5 CFR 302. There are many options for applying preference within the excepted service. An agency may consider candidates:
- using a numeric rating and ranking system;
- according to preference categories (i.e., preference and non-preference); or
- developing procedures that would grant as much preference in referral as the procedures used in 5 CFR 302
Will Career Interns be subject to a probationary period after they are converted to the competitive service?
No. Career Interns will not be required to serve a probationary period following their conversion to the competitive service. The 2 years the employees spend on the excepted appointment will serve as the employee’s probationary (trial) period.
If an agency selects one of its current career or career conditional employees as a Career Intern, does the agency have to return the employee to his or her former position if the employee does not successfully complete the internship?
Yes. If the employee fails to complete the program for reasons unrelated to misconduct or suitability, the agency is obligated to place the employee back in a position of equivalent status, tenure, and pay as the position the employee left.
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