Federal Student Employment Programs at the Forest Service

The Student Educational Employment Program provides Federal employment opportunities to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as degree-seeking students taking at least a half-time academic, technical, or vocational course load in an accredited high school, technical, vocational, 2- or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school.

Established in December 1994, this program includes two elements: the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP).

SCEP provides work experience that is directly related to the student's academic program and career goals.

STEP provides maximum flexibility to both students and managers because the nature of the work does not have to be related to the student's academic or career goals.

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)

SCEP allows students to gain experience working for the government in a job related to their field of study.  Most positions are paid and some also provide academic credit towards a degree.

To participate in SCEP, the hiring agency must have a formal agreement with the students’ educational institution.  SCEP positions are available to undergraduate and graduate students.

Students who successfully complete 640 hours of work within the SCEP program are eligible to be hired to a permanent position without going through the traditional Federal hiring process.  Recent additions to the program allow agencies to waive up to half of the required 640 hours for students with certain job-related experience acquired in a structured work-study program or in active duty military service, or for participants with exceptional job performance and academic excellence (3.5 GPA out of a 4.0 scale, standing in the top 10% of the graduating class and/or induction into a nationally recognized scholastic honors society) while enrolled in the program.

Eligibility requirements for SCEP include:

* Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student in an accredited high school or technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, or graduate or professional school.

* At least 16 years old.

* Taking at least a half-time course load as determined by the academic institution.

* Must be a U.S. citizen or national in most cases.

Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)

STEP provides to students part-time Federal jobs that can last as little as one summer or as long as the duration of their college career.  STEP positions are paid.  The work does not have to be related to students’ field of study, which allows them to gain experience in other fields.

Who is Eligible?

* Must be in high school, college, vocational school, or graduate school

* Must be a U.S. citizen or national in most cases.