Student Trainee (Administration and Office Support)

About the role

The Pathways Internship Program connects current college students to paid internships, throughout the Bureau of Indian Affairs and with Tribal Nations across the United States of America.

The program offers structured training, professional development, and meaningful hands-on experience, preparing interns for an impactful career in public service and offers a direct pipeline to full-time employment with the BIA or Tribal Nations upon graduation. Internships are available throughout the year.

What you will do

• This is an open continuous announcement.
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed every two weeks until the posted closing date.
• Pathways Interns, also called "Student Trainees", fulfill a wide variety of roles and functions for the offices or programs to which they are assigned.
• In general, though, Student Trainees can expect to: Receive formal and on-the-job training to develop the knowledge and skills required for entry-level positions within the BIA.
• Be mentored by higher-graded employees and specialists in a specific specialty area.
• Learn about the nation-to-nation relationship between the federal government and federally recognized Tribal Nations.
• Develop an understanding of how the BIA and Tribal Nations work together to oversee, protect, manage, and utilize Indian Trust Lands and restricted lands.
• Receive developmental assignments to broaden their knowledge of BIA activities and expand or deepen their understanding of their chosen specialty areas within BIA.

How you will be evaluated

Your application package will be evaluated against the minimum education/qualification requirements specified above. In order to qualify, your application package must specifically show your academic and work history. Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Indian candidates in accordance with the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC, Section 472).

Verification Form BIA-4432 must be submitted with the application if claiming Indian Preference. Indian Preference eligibles not currently employed in Federal service may be appointed under the Excepted Service Appointment Authority Schedule A, 213.3112(a)(7). Consideration will be given to Non-Indian applicants in the absence of qualified Indian Preference eligibles.

For more information, please visit: *** REVIEW BEFORE YOU SUBMIT: You may preview the assessment questions here in the ***

Documents you must provide

• Resume which details work experience including dates worked (mm/yy-mm/yy); position title; position series and grade (if federal service); work schedule; hours worked per week; relevant duties performed; supervisor with contact information, and 3 professional references and contact information (Do not include current/former supervisors), etc Please limit your resume to no more than 2 pages.
• If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
• On-line Assessment Questionnaire Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, an official transcript may be requested at a later time.
• Veteran's documentation - (if applicable) VA letter on VA letterhead stating your overall combined rating, SF-15, DD-214 (Member 4 Copy Only) reflecting an honorable discharge and dates of active duty military service.
• BIA Form 4432 The Form BIA-4432 must be completed as stated in the Instructions on the Form and this form with must be submitted with your application for Federal employment (if claiming Indian preference).
• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE SOLICITED OR ACCEPTED BY THIS OFFICE.

Benefits

Eligible students may be offered the use of incentives such as Recruitment / Relocation and /or Student Loan Repayment assistance as appropriate. However, offers are contingent upon Agency approval, determination of hard to fill positions in area, and other factors such as funding availability, superior qualifications, and successful completion of program.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Additional information

All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2026 Salary Tables and select the pay chart for Location Negotiable After Selection, United States. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart.

BIA Pathways Internship Program appointments may provide the opportunity to be converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service. If the agency chooses to convert them, successful graduates of the Pathways Internship Program will be placed in a career ladder position, with promotion potential up to GS-11. NOTE: Internship work periods and schedules vary.

Students will be placed on "Leave Without Pay" or LWOP status during periods in which they are not actively interning, such as during the school year.

LWOP is a temporary non-pay and non-duty status which is granted based upon a student's educational needs (5 CFR 630.101).Students will be required to provide a copy of up-to-date transcripts and upcoming class schedule (unofficial may be acceptable) at the end/beginning of each academic semester for verification of enrollment and academic standing as proof of continuing eligibility for participation in the Pathways Program.Visit *** for more information about the Pathways experience.

TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED.

ANY RELOCATION EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH REPORTING FOR DUTY WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE.

This position has been designated as an Incidental Operator under the Indian Affairs Motor Vehicle Safety Program and requires the incumbent to operate a motor vehicle in order to properly carry out his/her assigned duties but whose principal duties are not operating a motor vehicle and his/her position is not classified as a motor vehicle operator.

The incumbent will be required initially and annually to acknowledge and certify possession of a valid state driver's license.