Mission Areas Presentations

By USDA Agencies Student Program Point of Contacts 

Informational Sessions on USDA Career Opportunities 
Food Safety (FS) 

Food Safety and Inspection Service 

Presented by: 

Laura Sepulveda 

Student Program Manager 

Food Safety and Inspection Service 

202-720-9401

laura.sepulveda@fsis.usda.gov
Our mission: 

• Ensure the nation’s commercial supply of 

meat, poultry and egg products is safe, 

wholesome, correctly labeled and 

packaged 

• Career opportunities: 

 Public Health Inspection 

 Scientific and Technical 

 Administrative and Professional 

FSIS Mission 
• For FSIS internships and recent graduates opportunities: 

 Non-veterinary Students: announcements will be posted via 

www.usajobs.gov or www.studentapplication.usda.gov.

 Veterinary students: apply for the Veterinary Student Internship 

Program announcement via www.USAJobs.gov available 

November-December

 Recent Graduates: announcements will be posted via 

www.usajobs.gov

• For FSIS externships (student volunteers):

 Email fsisstudentjobs@fsis.usda.gov

Point of Contact: Laura Sepulveda (202-720-9401/ 

laura.sepulveda@fsis.usda.gov)

Application Process and Point of Contact 
Natural Resources and 

Environment (NRE) 

Presented by: 

Pedro Nieto 

202-205-0999

pnieto@fs.fed.us

Michelle Williams 

202-720-0768

Michelle.Williams@wdc.usda.gov

Forest Service, and Natural Resources and Conservation Service 
• 5 Research Stations Forest 

Products Laboratory 

• 1 International Institute of 

Tropical Forestry 

• 77 Research Units 

• 67 Locations 

• 81 Experimental Forests 

• 370 Research Natural Areas 

• 550 Research Scientists 

“Science Serving Society”

FS Mission
Educational Qualifications

• Forest Service hires for professional, technical, 

clerical and administrative positions. 

• Forest Service hires up to 3, 000 students and 

recent graduates depending on work needs and 

budget. 

• Hiring for Student Temporary positions take place 

as early as March and may last through 

September. 

• Forest Service hires students through the 

Pathways Internship Program year round. 

• Recruitment for these positions start as early as 

November of each year.
 

Application Process: 

• A cover letter to include information about the student and why they want to work for the 

forest Service, 

• A current resume, to include references, 

• Up-to-date college transcripts OR High School report Card. Unofficial transcripts/report 

cards or copies will be accepted if legible but must be include current GPA and degree 

program, 

• Letter of Acceptance or Letter of Enrollment from educational institutions 

• DD-214 (Member Copy 4) or other relevant documentation, if claiming Veteran’s 

Preference, 

• Apply to open vacancy announcements, and 

• Submit online application. 

 NOTE: DO NOT put Social Security Numbers on any documents 

Application Process 
Point of Contact

• Apply at: http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/

• Send a one page resume to: http://www.studentapplication.usda.gov/

• Contacts: 

 National Employment Manager: Pedro M. Nieto: 

pmnieto@fs.fed.us

 National Student Recruiter: Sonia Montoya: ssonia@fs.fed.us

 MWSI Manager: Berlinda Baca: bbacasanchez@fs.fed.us

 National Student Veteran & Disabilities: jmcgaughran@fs.fed.us
Natural Resources 

Conservation Service (NRCS) 
NRCS Careers: 

• Soil Conservationist 

• Rangeland Specialist 

• Soil Scientist 

• Civil/Agricultural Engineer 

• Biologist 

How Can You Be Involved? 
• For information on NRCS Pathways 

– Email 

• NRCS.recruitment@wdc.usda.gov

– NRCS Student Information Site 

• http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/natio

nal/careers/student

– Pathways Vacancies 

• www.usajobs.gov

• Stipends to assist with transportation or housing may be 

available 

• Tanya Robles, Student Program Coordinator, NRCS 

 Tanya.Robles@wdc.usda.gov or 202-690-3477

Point of Contact
Presented by: 

Keisha Jones-Valentines 

Program Manager 

202-401-0176

keisha.jones@wdc.usda.gov

Farm and Foreign 

Agriculture Services 

(FFAS) 
Farm Service Agency (FSA) 

• FSA ensures the well-being of American agriculture, the environment, and the American 

public through the administration of farm commodity program; farm ownership. 

 operating and emergency loans 

 conservation and environment program 

 emergency and disaster assistance 

 domestic and international food assistance 

• FSA programs are delivered through an extensive network of offices located throughout 

the United States and Puerto Rico. 
Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS) 

• FAS works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products. FAS 

operates market development and assistance programs designed to 

build new markets and improve the competitive position of U.S. 

agriculture in the global marketplace. 

• FAS programs help U.S, exporters develop and maintain markets 

overseas for hundreds of food and agricultural products, from bulk 

commodities to brand-name items. 
Risk Management Agency (RMA) 

• RMA administers the Federal Crop Insurance 

Corporation (FCIC) programs and promotes 

national welfare by improving the economic 

stability of agriculture through a secure system of 

crop insurance and risk management tools. 

• RMA meets the crop insurance and risk 

management needs of the Nation’s small and 

limited-resource farmers and ranchers through a 

network of public and private-sector partners. 

• Together, RMA and these partners create new 

crop insurance and risk management products, 

provide risk management education and outreach, 

and ensure program accessibility and integrity. 
FFAS Programs 

• FFAS actively participates in a variety of student programs 

offered during the summer and year-round. 

• We offer challenging careers, career development opportunities, 

excellent benefits, and competitive salaries. 

• FFAS participates in the following Programs for students and 

Recent Graduated: 

 The Pathways Program 

 Internship Program 

 Recent Graduate Program 

 Presidential Management Fellowship Program (PMF) 

 Washington Internship for Native Students (WINS) 

 Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) 

 Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) 

 International Agricultural Internship Program (FAS ONLY) 

 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) 

 Student Volunteer Program 
FFAS Career 

Accounting 

Budget 

Contracting/ Procurement 

Human Resources 

Public Affairs 

Computer Sciences 

Agricultural Business 

Crop Insurance 

Economics 

Agricultural Management 

Agricultural Marketing 

International Trade 

Economics 

Loan Management /Finance 

Criminal Justice 

Equal Opportunity 

Soil Science /Conservation 
FFAS Application Process 

All Pathways Program opportunities will be posted 

on USAjobs.com 

Tips for successful applicants 

1. Follow all of the instructions 

2. Submit/upload all documents that are requested 

For the remaining programs, please go to 

www.usda.gov to find out how to apply
For more information on RMA and FSA, please contact: 

Keisha Jones, Program Manager at keisha.jones@wdc.usda.gov 

For more information on FAS, please contact: 

Nikia Sizer, Program Manager at Nikia.Sizer@wdc.usda.gov 

Point of Contact
Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services (FNCS) 

Presented by: 

Ileana Alamo-Garay 

703-305-2408

ileana.alamo@fns.usda.gov

FNSOpportunities@fns.usda.gov
Our Agency 

• Divided in 2 sub-agencies: 

 - Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 

 - Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) 

Our mission 

• To provide children and needy families better access to food and a more healthful diet 

through its food assistance programs and comprehensive nutrition education efforts. 

• FNS works in partnership with the States in all its programs. Headquarter is located in 

Alexandria VA with offices in 7 Regions to include: 

√ Robbinsville, NJ 

√ Chicago, IL 

√ Denver, CO 

√ San Francisco, CA 

√ Boston, MA 

√ Atlanta, GA 

√ Dallas, TX 

Food and Nutrition Service 
• FNS Programs: 

√ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

√ Women's, Infants, and Children (WIC) 

√ School Breakfast Program 

√ School Lunch Program 

√ Summer Food Service Program 

√ Child and Adult Care Food Program 

Food and Nutrition Service 
Food and Nutrition Service 

(FNS)

• Career opportunities: 

√ Nutritionist 

√ Dietitian 

√ Management Analyst 

√ Office Assistant 

√ Human Resources 

√ Budget/Financial Specialist 

√ Accountant 

√ Policy Specialist 

FNS Student Internship Opportunities 

• When available, internships will be advertised on USAJobs.gov 

• Currently accepting applications for the Volunteer Internship Program (non-paid ). 

Academic credit available. 
Ileana Alamo-Garay 

ileana.alamo@fns.usda.gov

FNSOpportunities@fns.usda.gov

Point of Contact 
Marketing and Regulatory 

Programs (MRP)

Presented by: 

John C Morris 

202-799-7076

john.c.morris@aphis.usda.gov
• MRP facilitates domestic and international 

marketing of U.S. agricultural products and 

ensures the health and care of animals and 

plants. 

• Agencies: 

 Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS) 

 Animal Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) 

 Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 

Administration (GIPSA) 

MRP Mission 
Agency Positions Locations

AMS

Agricultural Marketing Trainee

Throughout the US

Market Reporting Trainee

Administrative Assistant/Clerk

Agricultural Commodity Grader

Economist Trainee

APHIS

Veterinary Student Trainee

Biological Science Lab Technician

Biological Science Student Trainee

Animal Health Technician

Administrative Assistant/Clerk

GIPSA

Agricultural Marketing Trainee

Agricultural Commodity Grader

Administrative Assistant/Clerk

MRP Student Internship Opportunities 
• Applying to MRP internships: 

 For summer student positions and for 

other internship or scholarship 

opportunities, please visit 

www.USAJobs.gov

• MRP Point of Contact: 

 John Morris 

 MRP Student Employment Coordinator 

 202-799-7076

 John.C.Morris@aphis.usda.gov 

Application Process & Point of Contact 
Rural Development (RD) 

Presented by: 

Dominique Young 

202-692-0338

dominique.young@wdc.usda.gov
• Rural Development committed to helping 

improve the economy and quality of life in rural 

America. Through our programs, we touch rural 

America in many ways. 

• Agencies: 

 Rural Housing Service (RUS) 

 Rural Business Service (RBS) 

 Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 

RD Mission 
Agency Positions Locations

RHS

Information Technology Trainee

Throughout the US

Administrative Assistant/Clerk

Office Automation Clerk

RBS

Program Technician Trainee

Office Automation Clerk

Business Trainee

RUS

Accounting Trainee

Business Trainee

Office Automation Clerk

RD Career Opportunities 
• Applying to RD internships: 

 For summer student positions and for other 

internship or scholarship opportunities, please 

visit www.USAJobs.gov

• RD Point of Contact: 

 Leo Gomez 

 RD Student Employment Coordinator 

 202-692-0223

 leo.gomez@wdc.usda.gov 

Application Process & RD Point of Contact 
Research, Education and 

Economics (REE) 

Agricultural Research Service, Economic Research Service, National Institute of Food and 

Agriculture, and National Agricultural Statistic Service 

Presented by: 

Mary Weber 

Mary.Weber@ars.usda.gov
Mission Areas: 

The Research, Education and Economics (REE) Mission 

Area is dedicated to the creation of a safe, sustainable, 

competitive U.S. food and fiber system and strong, 

healthy communities, families, and youth through 

integrated research, analysis and education. 

• The five agencies are: 

 The Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

 The Economic Research Service (ERS),

 The National Agricultural Library (NAL),

 The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS),

and

 The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

REE Mission 
Jobs ARS ERS NASS NIFA

Research Scientists √ - - -

Postdoctoral Research Associates √ * - *

Professional, Administrative, and 

Technical Staff √ √ √ √

Secretarial and Clerical Staff √ √ √ √

Trades and Crafts Workers √ - - -

Student and Summer Employees √ √ √ √

- = Not available * = Some times √ = Available 

• Pathways Internship

Program and Third Party 

Internship Program √ -√ -√ -√

• Scholarships √ √ √ √

• Other Fellowships - - - √

• Pathways Presidential

Management Fellowship 

Program (PMF) √ √ √ √

• Volunteer Opportunities √ * √ *

REE Career Opportunities 
Agricultural Research 

Service Mary Weber Mary.Weber@ars.usda.gov 301-448-7811

National Agricultural 

Statistics Service Mary DeNardo Mary.DeNardo@nass.usda.gov 202-720-4971

National Institute of Food 

and Agriculture Eboni Wiggins Eboni.Wiggins@ars.usda.gov 301-504-1757

Economic Research Service Loretta Miller 

(Serves ERS) erssummerinterns@ers.usda.gov 202-694-5379

Point of Contacts 
Join Our Team! 

Complete the survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/USDAInformationalSessions-CareerOpportunities

Begin Typing Your Questions 
 All questions must be submitted via the Q&A chat 

room, and addressed to ‘all presenters’ in order to be 

answered. 

 If your question is not answered in the time allowed, 

please email us at USDA.Internships@dm.usda.gov 

 Thank you and happy summer employment Federal 

Job Hunting! 

Q&A Session