USDA Pathways Program: 

Daniel E. Salmon Internship

In carrying out our safeguarding mission, the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works to ensure 

the continued health of our Nation’s livestock and 

poultry. Within APHIS, the Veterinary Services (VS) 

staff serves as a veterinary authority for the United 

States. It is our job to protect and improve the health, 

quality, and marketability of U.S. animals, animal 

products, and veterinary biologics. 

Increases in global trade, the emergence of zoonotic 

diseases, and the threat of agroterrorism demand 

a comprehensive approach to protecting animal 

and public health. VS brings a wealth of skills 

and expertise to this effort—from global disease 

surveillance and animal health certification to disease 

eradication and emergency preparedness. In all of 

this work, we follow One Health principles to promote 

a collaborative, all-inclusive approach and make sure 

our decisions are grounded in the best science and 

information available. 

The USDA Pathways Program offers different 

“pathway” opportunities for students and recent 

graduates to work in agriculture, science, technology, 

math, environment, management, business, and 

many other fields. One of these pathways is the 

USDA Internship Program, which provides paid 

work experiences for students. VS participates in this 

program, offering the Daniel E. Salmon Internship to 

help ensure a steady stream of talented professionals 

on our staff.

Who Is Daniel E. Salmon?

Dr. Salmon was founding chief of the USDA’s Bureau 

of Animal Industry, predecessor of today’s Veterinary 

Services. As a member of Cornell University’s 

first class of graduates, he earned his bachelor’s 

degree in veterinary medicine in 1872, and 4 years 

later, Cornell awarded him the first Doctorate of 

Veterinary Medicine degree in the country. Today, 

Salmon is best known for identifying the infectious 

pathogen Salmonella and pioneering the fight 

against contagious diseases. His work contributed 

immeasurably to improving public health and disease 

control efforts. 

Internship Experiences

As a Daniel E. Salmon intern, you will be part of a 

comprehensive mentorship and career development 

program designed to prepare you for a career in 

your field of study. We offer a wide range of learning 

opportunities so our interns are ready for life in the 

Federal sector. 

Having a wealth of talented people at APHIS is 

critical for our continued excellence in today’s fastpaced and increasingly complex scientific world. In 

addition to veterinarians, some of our key positions 

include microbiologists, entomologists, and budget 

and management analysts. Through the internship 

program, you will experience the real-world situations 

facing Federal employees every day, and you will 

be part of an organization with a multidisciplinary 

approach to managing disease, responding to animal 

health crises, addressing trade issues, providing 

laboratory support, regulating veterinary biologics, 

and analyzing animal health issues.

Internship Benefits

The Daniel E. Salmon Internship provides students:

1) Up to $7,500 per year for undergraduate

studies and up to $15,000 for graduate studies

for tuition and fees associated with your course

of study.

2) Paid employment during summer and school

breaks as a Student Trainee, participation in

the Federal Employees Retirement System and

Thrift Savings Plan (401K), and paid vacation

and sick leave. Based on the length of the work

periods, compensation may also include health

insurance benefits.

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE FEBRUARY 2015 

VETERINARY SERVICES
3) The possibility of conversion, without further 

competition, to a permanent appointment 

with APHIS upon successful completion of 

Pathways Program, with required degree, 

training, and other work requirements.

After completing all of the mandatory requirements 

for the program, the student must become a fulltime agency employee for at least 1 calendar year 

(12 months) for each school year (2 semesters, 

3 quarters, or the equivalent) that the student was 

covered by the internship. If the student intern does 

not accept an APHIS employment offer, he or she 

must reimburse APHIS for all financial assistance 

received under the Salmon internship program. 

If the intern fails to serve the entire length of the 

mandatory APHIS employment period, he or she 

must reimburse the agency a prorated share of the 

funds awarded. 

Application and Eligibility

Interested students must apply online via 

www.usajobs.gov. Locate the announcement 

using the key words “Daniel E. Salmon” in the 

search engine under the “Student and Recent 

Graduates” tab. Please note that you must have a 

USAJOBS account to apply. The announcement will 

open on USAJOBS annually, between January and 

February, for approximately a 2-week period. Upon 

entrance on duty, you must:

1) Be a U.S. citizen;

2) Meet the educational and curriculum 

requirements of the internship program 

position for which you apply. These 

requirements, as well as the specific duties 

of the position, will be stipulated in each 

internship announcement and may include a 

wide range of majors or fields of study; 

3) Be enrolled as a full-time student and/or 

accepted for enrollment in an accredited 

college or university within the United States—

a. Undergraduate student appointments will 

become effective in the fall of the second 

or third academic school year. Secondyear students must have completed at 

least 1 year (30 semester or 45 quarter 

hours) of a 4-year undergraduate studies 

program; third-year students must 

have completed at least 2 years (60 

semester or 90 quarter hours) of a 4-year 

undergraduate studies program.

b. Graduate student appointments will 

become effective in the fall of the first 

academic school year.

4) Be in good academic standing; and

5) Agree to work for the agency during school 

breaks and complete a minimum of 640 

hours prior to completion of studies.

Required Documents

The online application system will prompt you to 

answer self-assessment questions and to submit 

the following: 

1) Resume;

2) Transcripts for all completed college work 

to date;

3) Proof of current enrollment and/or, if 

applicable, a letter of acceptance to 

graduate school; and

4) A copy of your DD-214, if you are claiming 

Veterans’ Preference.

Additional supplemental information and 

documentation will be requested at a later date 

if you meet eligibility and initial application 

requirements. 

USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider 

APHIS 91-15-001 and employer. 

For More Information

This internship may be available annually. 

To check availability or learn more, call 

the VS Management Support Staff at 

(301) 851-3573 or visit our Web site:

www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/recruitment