Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program (HNIP)
Gain invaluable professional experience interning with the USDA-Forest Service, while getting paid! The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program allows undergraduate and graduate students to explore careers in the federal government.
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program (HNIP) offers paid internships for undergraduate and graduate students in career fields such as Forestry, GIS, Public Affairs, Natural Resources, Wildlife, Fisheries, Research, and more, Students who work 640 hours can earn a Public Lands Corps non-competitive hiring authority.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program (HNIP), you must meet the following criteria:
Authorized or eligible to work in the United States by law (HNIP participates in E-Verify)
Currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an accredited higher education institution. Students pursuing only a credential or certificate program will be considered ineligible. Limited positions are available for recent graduates, and spring graduates can apply for a summer session.
Have completed your freshman year of college before the internship begins
Preferred 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
Students are selected based on academic performance, leadership, and community service.
As a student, you are eligible whether your institution is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, or not. You do not need Hispanic heritage to be eligible.
Benefits
Gain Federal work experience
Receive potential academic credit
Get paid. Visit the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program website for current pay rates.
Participate in professional development seminars
Receive programmatic and student support from HNIP Staff
Receive internship housing support. HACU will help you find and arrange a place to live during your internship to limit the upfront cost and burden of housing. For example, HACU will arrange for you to live with other interns, choose an appropriate apartment and location close to work and necessities, and provide furnishings so you just need to bring your suitcase. HACU ensures that there is no credit check, no security deposit, and no upfront costs such as administrative fees, move-in fees, or first month's rent. You will have your total rent for the entire session equally divided and deducted from your bi-weekly paychecks. You may also choose to arrange and manage payments for housing on your own.
Program Length
Internships last 10 to 16 weeks, with sessions in the spring, summer, and fall. Virtual, hybrid, and in-person formats are available, in addition to full-time and part-time positions. If you work 640 hours, you can obtain a Public Lands Corps non-competitive hiring authority.
How to Apply
Download the application instructions found on the HACU National Internship Program Online Application page
Scroll to the bottom of the page and select on New Applicants to begin your application
Contact Information:
For questions about the program, contact the HNIP offices at hnip@hacu.net or (202) 467-0893, or reach out to:
Julissa Gonzalez: julissa.gonzalez@usda.gov, (805) 680-4559
Michaela Hall: michaela.hall@usda.gov, (404) 693-2111
Benefits of the Public Lands Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority
The authority allows you to apply for permanent Federal positions with the Forest Service and other land management agencies such as the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Because many of these positions are not open to the general public, you will have the advantage of competing with a smaller pool of applicants, such as current and former Federal employees and other applicants with special hiring authorities. You must apply, be selected, and be onboarded into your position within 2 years of when your PLC certificate was signed.
How to Use Your Hiring Authority
1. Find an Opportunity
There are a few options for how to find a current or upcoming career opportunity that allows you to apply using the PLC hiring authority.
Search USAJOBS.gov for a career opportunity. Pay attention to the filters such as agency and hiring paths. The Public Lands Corps authority is under Hiring Paths and Special Hiring Authorities. You can select these filters to narrow your career search to opportunities open to your authority.
Reach out to a regional recruiter directly.
Sign up for the Job Seekers Database to receive weekly emails about the latest Forest Service job opportunities.
Regularly check our Outreach Database. This website shows upcoming opportunities and allows you to respond to the hiring official to share that you are interested in the position. The responses that hiring managers receive in the Outreach Database affect who the job is open to on USAJOBS.gov.
2. Apply
You must apply, be selected, and be onboarded into your position within 2 years of when your PLC certificate was signed.
Visit USAJOBS and find a career opportunity. Pay attention to the filters such as agency and hiring paths. The Public Lands Corps authority is under Hiring Paths and Special Hiring Authorities. You can select these filters to narrow your career search to opportunities open to your authority.
You must still meet the requirements listed on the job announcement to qualify for the position.
Make sure that you apply with a robust Federal resume and that you include all required documents such as your PLC Certificate, high school diploma, and post-secondary or college transcripts if applicable.
Make sure that you respond “Yes” to the following question in the assessment questionnaire, which is part of your application: “Have you completed a qualifying conservation project(s) with the U.S. Forest Service and received a Public Lands Corps Certificate of Eligibility for Noncompetitive Hiring Status?”
Help Applying and Using the PLC Certificate
If you need help using your PLC hiring authority after completing your internship, or if you have questions about the status of your application, please use the following resources.
Visit the How to Apply webpage for tips, tricks, webinars, and more.
Call 1-877-372-7248 (select option 2 and follow prompts). We're open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time and closed on all Federal holidays.
The USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer