Student and Summer Employment

NIFA hires students under the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) and the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP).

Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)

Applicants must be enrolled in school on at least a half-time schedule. Students work part time during the school year and full time during breaks. While students receive meaningful work experiences, there are no benefits, no assurance of continued employment, and no conversion to permanent positions. Students may be placed in any type of position, regardless of field of study. This is a temporary employment program.

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)

This is formerly known as the “Co-Op” program. Students receive all benefits of permanent civil service employment. Job must be related to the student's field of study. Part-time, full-time, intermittent, or summer work schedules are permitted, and students can be converted to a permanent position upon graduation, although this is not guaranteed. Students must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program with an accredited school/college/university and maintain at least a half-time course load.

To find out more about student jobs, including current openings, contact:

Wenndy Carrasco
USDA, ARS, Human Resources Division
5601 Sunnyside Avenue
Beltsville , MD 20705-5103
Phone: 301-504-1392
E-mail: wenndy.carrasco@ars.usda.gov