FSIS Student Employment Programs

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) offers students and recent graduates several paths to Federal employment through enriching experiences. There is no better time than the present to make the career-related decisions that will create valuable opportunities that support your career path. Take your first step on your new journey and discover the benefits of employment with FSIS.

FSIS is the agency in the USDA responsible for protecting the public's health by ensuring the safety of the Nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products. FSIS has 9,000 employees, including 7,700 frontline workers who work in 6,800 regulated establishments across the United States and U.S. territories.

We employ over 1,000 workers at nearly every level in most career fields - including information technology, finance, science, human resources, education, public affairs, policy, civil rights, international affairs, compliance and law. We also offer an outstanding benefits package for our workforce and their families, some of which may apply to students. We have onsite positions, telework-eligible positions, and remote positions. To learn more about the career opportunities available view our Career Profiles page.

You can also discover where our onsite frontline careers are located near where you want to work by visiting our Meat & Poultry Inspection Directory and interactive map. This resource is a complete listing of establishments that produce meat, poultry, and/or egg products regulated by FSIS.

Our student program team is available to answer any questions that you may have. Feel free to reach out to us directly at FSISHR1@usda.gov or by calling 1-877-FSIS-HR1 (1-877-374-7471).

Career Profiles

Learn more about the types of positions available at FSIS. From Public Health Veterinarians to Inspectors, there are so many things you can do at FSIS!

View the Profiles

Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates

Most of the Pathway's positions provide a path for non-competitive conversion to a permanent Career or Career Conditional appointment with FSIS. Select the links below to learn more about the different Pathways Programs and their eligibility requirements.

Internships

The Internships offers current students the opportunity to learn about various career paths, earn a competitive salary while continuing their education, and contribute to FSIS' mission in a meaningful way.

Learn More

Recent Graduates

The Recent Graduates Program gives recent graduates from qualifying institutions valuable training, mentorship, hands-on experience and professional development opportunities.

Learn More

Presidential Management Fellows

The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program is a unique leadership development program that lets advanced degree candidates take charge of their own learning and advancement.

Learn More

How to apply

Are you ready to begin your exciting journey working with FSIS through the Internship or Recent Graduates Program? When available, these opportunities are announced through USAJOBS. Students are encouraged to visit the FSIS Job Opportunities page and should submit applications following the instructions listed on the FSIS Apply for a Job webpage. You can also check our Events and Meeting page to find hiring events near you.

FSIS uses USAJobs to post its opportunities unless they are managed by a third party, such the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). Please note that third-party providers have their own systems and requirements to apply through their programs. See the "Additional Opportunities" section below for more information.

Tips on Using USAJobs

For helpful tips, resources, and videos to be more successful in the USAJobs application process, view:

USAJobs' series of helpful YouTube videos or Help Center
FSIS' Resume Tip Sheet, and
FSIS' Resume Workbook-Part 1 (including examples) and Resume Workbook-Part 2 (including USAJobs walkthrough).

Did you know that you can save a search on USAJOBS and receive daily, weekly, or monthly updates on positions that you are interested in? Follow the directions listed on How to Save a Search in the USAJOBS Help Center.

Externships and Volunteer Opportunities

The Externships and Volunteer Opportunities provide experience that is directly related to the student's education and career goals. We have developed the Externships and Volunteer Opportunities to provide students with valuable career related work experience in our public health agency.

These unpaid positions provide students with an opportunity to gain experience working for FSIS in a wide variety of positions.

Learn More

Additional Opportunities

FSIS also participates in third-party internship and fellowship programs and such as the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). These third-party opportunities have their own requirements and application process. They may cover additional costs associated with the internship program, such as housing. Review and follow each organization's requirements and deadlines to participate in FSIS' internships through these programs. To find listings of current opportunities view:

For more information on internships and career opportunities with USDA please visit the Internships and Career Opportunities webpage.

Adel A. Malak Scholarship Program

The FSIS Adel A. Malak Scholarship operates under the guidelines of the USDA Pathways Program. The scholarship provides students enrolled in a degree-seeking Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program a $15,000 scholarship funding for tuition, books, tutors, and laboratory fees awarded for each year in the program. As an Adel A. Malak Scholarship recipient, students will experience and take on a variety of Public Health Veterinarian responsibilities to more fully understand the great work FSIS does to protect public health through food safety.

Learn More information about Adel A. Malak Scholarship Program

For questions about the Adel A. Malak Scholarship Program, send an email to: Adel.A.MalakScholarship@usda.gov.

Meet former Adel A. Malak Scholar, Dr. Anna Beam-Mitchell, 2022 graduate NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian

Why did you want an internship with FSIS?
Going into vet school, I was interested in pursuing a career in agriculture and food animal medicine. Originally, I saw myself working as a food animal veterinarian in private practice. I realized pretty quickly, however, that I valued having a stable career with a healthy work-life balance, and that wasn't going to be guaranteed if I went into private practice. I heard about the Malak program through another student who was also a Malak Scholar, and I applied without really knowing what I was getting into. I spent 3 years in the program as a student, and I felt like it was a great fit for me to be able to support US agriculture while still maintaining a wonderful work-life balance. I am now in a permanent position as a Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian and I am grateful every day for such solid job security and healthy boundaries that allow me to keep up with my hobbies and my family life without having to sacrifice for my career.

Would you recommend FSIS as a place to work?
I understand this career isn't for everyone. Most vets are passionate about clinical work and couldn't see themselves in a position where they aren't practicing every day. However, I would recommend to all vet students and current vets: keep an open mind about the options available to you with your degree and your experience. If you want a stable career with job security, advancement opportunities, and a healthy work-life balance, then I would absolutely recommend you look into FSIS as a place to work.

To learn more about what our Public Health Veterinarians do, please watch this short video.