Student Employment Opportunities

Loan Specialist Trainee

USDA Rural Development

Position Description:

USDA Rural Development is committed to the future of rural communities. Our role is to increase rural residents’ economic opportunities and improve their quality of life. Rural Development forges partnerships with rural communities, funding projects that bring housing, community facilities, utilities and other services. We also provide technical assistance and financial backing for rural businesses and cooperatives to create quality jobs in rural areas. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/

The positions to be filled are as a trainee for a Loan Specialist position and are being filled through the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP). The SCEP is a planned, progressive education program that provides for the integration of a student’s academic studies with target positions in the Federal workforce. The SCEP allows students to gain real, paid work experience while pursuing a college degree in a particular career field. Job duties are designed to provide hands-on experience and training on the duties of a Loan Specialist. At the agency’s option, students who successfully complete all work, study, qualifications, and other eligibility requirements may be offered permanent positions with our agency upon graduation. This program is intended for students interested in long-term, permanent employment.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The trainee positions advertised are developmental positions designed to acquaint the trainee with the types of loan making and servicing work done in the agency, its policy and philosophy, and to relieve higher-graded loan specialists and related positions of simple and routine work. Assignments typically consist of such work as participating in or observing the following: application processing and loan and grant servicing reviews for Single Family Housing (SFH) loans and grants, Multi-Family Housing (MFH) loans, Community Program (CP) loans and grants, and Business Program (BP) loans and grants credit risk factor evaluations and making recommendations as to the approval or disapproval of loans and grants technical assistance to SFH, MFH, CP, and BP borrowers advising and directing applicants and borrowers regarding possible actions to be taken, financial management of loans, family budgets, real estate values, and other sources of available assistance. Marketing and outreach will be a component of this position. Work will become increasingly more complex as the student masters skills and assignments and progresses through the program.

How You Will Be Evaluated:

Employment in the Student Career Enhancement Program is a non-competitive appointment. There is no testing, rating or ranking of applicants for this program. Eligibility for appointment is based on applicant meeting the qualifications for the position.

Benefits:

You will earn annual vacation leave, More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#VACA

You will earn sick leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#SKLV

You will be paid for federal holidays that fall within your regularly scheduled tour of duty. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#HOLI

You may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, with costs shared with your employer. More info: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#FEHB

Life insurance coverage is provided. More info: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#life

New employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). More info: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#retr

Other Information:

A background security investigation will be required for all new appointments.

If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.

How To Apply:

You must submit your application so that it will be received by the closing date of the announcement.

Those desiring consideration must submit the following forms.

1. OF-612, Optional Application for Federal Employment (form can be found at http://www.opm.gov/Forms/html/of.asp) , OR a resume which must include the information stated below.
2. Copy of college transcripts .
3. If you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (member copy 4) or other proof of eligibility if you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of Standard Form 15 and the required proof of entitlement.

Applicants using a resume must ensure that the following information is included:
a. Announcement number, title, and grade(s) for which applying
b. Full name, mailing address with zip code, day/evening phone numbers, and social security number
c. Country of citizenship
d. Veterans' preference
e. Education, including name of school, city, state, majors, type and year of degree(s)
f. Paid and nonpaid work experience related to the job, including job title, duties and accomplishments, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and ending dates, hours worked per week, salary, and indicate if we may contact current supervisor
g. Job related training courses with title and year of course attendance, job related skills, certificates or licenses, honors, awards, and special accomplishments.

Qualifications/Additional Comments:

To be eligible for this program, applicants must be:

• A college student enrolled or accepted for enrollment for at least a half-time courseload at an accredited institution of higher education. Major field of study MUST be in finance, business administration or management, economics, accounting , banking and credit, real estate operations, or other closely related fields.
• A student in good standing and having a record as a student that is in all respects predictive of graduation.
• Available to work a minimum of 640 hours prior to graduation.
• Mobile to all locations throughout Minnesota upon graduation.
• Applicants must have 2 or fewer academic years of post-high school study left.

Applications will be accepted from degree seeking students who are currently enrolled at least half-time in an accredited institution. Degree must be related to the positions being filled. See ‘Qualifications’ section for detailed information. U.S. Citizenship is a requirement.

Hours Per Week:

• Preferred Application Procedure(s): see below

Number of Positions Available