Student Pathways

Students cross the bridge at the National Conservation Training center.  Photo credit: USFWS

The Southwest Region is committed to employee excellence and creating a productive work environment.  We seek to attract and retain top-quality personnel as well as develop our employees in all job series to be leaders in the conservation field.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) employs many students in various career and educational fields. Our student employment programs are a way to attract talented students to work with the Service and are an opportunity for students to continue their education and apply academic studies to on-the-job experience.

Student Pathways Program

Executive Order 13562 estabished the Pathways Program which modified the Internship Program and the Recent Graduate Program, as well as the Presidential Management Fellows Program into a collective partnership between recent high school, graduate and post-graduate students and career paths within the Federal Government.

This partnership infuses the Federal Government with a diverse workforce that brings enthusiasm, talents, and unique perspectives to its recruiting efforts through student hires.

The Pathways Program replaces the existing Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) and targets students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions. It provides students an opportunity to explore federal careers while being paid for the work they perform. At the successful conclusion of this program, the student may be eligible for conversion to a non-competitive Federal career or career conditional position.

Read the Executive Order
Read the Federal Regsiter Notice
Proposed Rule: Pathways for Students
Proposed Rule: Proposed Presidential Management Fellows (PMF)
Proposed Rule: Internship Summary

Students interested in research or grant opportunities should visit the Federal grants website. (http://www.grants.gov/)

The Division of Human Resources (DHR) is primarily responsible for Student Programs. The Division of Diversity and Civil Rights (DDCR) assists in outreach and recruitment for these programs and provides employees and students scholarship information to assist with education expenses.  

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with
others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and
their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

All images Credit to and Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unless specified otherwise.