Experiential Scholars Program (ESP) Intern

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Closing Date:

Type of Position:

No

Job Type:

Temporary (Fixed Term)No

Institution Name:

Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state wide campus, with faculty based on University campuses, at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES), and is home to more than 1400 employees.  The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture.  The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration.  As an employer, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. 

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.  To apply for the position, please click the Apply link/button.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process and require reasonable accommodations, please contact the Division's Office of Program & Employment Compliance at compliance@uada.edu.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 501-671-2219 or 479-502-9820.

Department:

CES | Assoc. Prof. - Leadership * Community, Professional, & Economic Developmenthttps://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/special-programs/Education_in_Agriculture/internships/experiential-scholars.aspx

Summary of Job Duties:

The Experiential Scholars Program (ESP) is a nine-week summer paid internship program at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UADA) intended for college juniors and seniors to work in one of three focus areas: 1) water/soil conservation, 2) food nutrition, health, and safety, or 3) community/economic development.

Visit website for additional information.

Each scholar will be assigned a focus area mentor. Mentors will train, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and will work with interns to develop a special project such as a field demonstration, organizing a public meeting, or other related task as part of the internship.

• Seeks information from mentors and colleagues regarding the history, purpose, and mission of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
• Job shadows and assists mentor or designee in their day-to-day activities as a means of simulating what Extension education is all about in terms of technical programming, building trust through relationships, serving a partner, serving clientele, facilitating meetings, conducting field demonstrations, farm visits, planning, evaluation etc.
• Participates in leadership training via Zoom where students interact with each other, share their experiences, and learn leadership skills as applied in Extension.
• Conducts an independent project in focus area. (Interns will work with mentor to select an Extension project that the scholar will conduct, evaluate, and complete an impact report. Mentors will provide guidelines as to the appropriate scale of a project that can be completed in nine weeks and that targets a need in the county or state. Some examples include field demonstrations, conducting research, organizing and conducting a public meeting, workshop, or training, etc.)
• Maintains a log, or journal, outlining internship experiences to complete the required Record of Internship. Completes and submits Record of Internship at the conclusion of the internship.

Compensation:
• Interns will work up to 40 hours per week for a maximum of nine weeks in the summer at an hourly rate of $12.50.
• Hourly paid employees who are considered temporary or part-time are not benefit eligible and are on a REARS payment schedule. For example - Interns starting on May 18, 2027, will be paid hourly and will receive their first paycheck on the payroll payment date of June 13, 2027.
• Travel will be reimbursed at the current rate of .52 per mile.
• Housing is not provided. However, the primary location for internships is central Arkansas. If needed, housing options may be available.

Holiday Pay
• Temporary employees may be eligible for prorated holiday pay if they average at least 20 hours per week over the four weeks prior to the holiday. Eligibility also requires the employee to be in "pay status" for at least 15 minutes on their last scheduled workday before and first scheduled workday after the holiday.
• The calculation for holiday pay is based on the average number of hours worked in the four weeks immediately preceding the holiday. To calculate the paid holiday hours, the average weekly hours are divided by five. This number is then rounded to the nearest quarter hour. For example, if an employee averages 20.75 hours per week over the four-week period, they would be paid for 4.25 hours for the holiday (20.75 / 5 = 4.15, rounded to 4.25).

Qualifications:

• Junior or senior-level undergraduate students who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. currently enrolled in any U.S. institution are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to students from traditionally underserved minorities, first-generation college students, students from institutions with limited research opportunities, and students who have a minimum of 45 credit hours at the time of application.
• Students must possess a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale and be in good academic standing with the university.
• Job related travel including overnight stays; visiting clientele at sites throughout the county (including farms); standing/walking for long periods of time; handling of objects up to 25 pounds.
• Must have demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in writing with groups and individuals and through mass media. Ability to use the computer for program delivery and management. Ability to visit clientele at sites throughout the county/area. Ability to plan and teach educational programs. Demonstrated leadership and ability to serve as a positive role model.

A nine-week summer internship program supported by USDA-NIFA Award 2023-68018-40315.

Qualification Equivalencies:

Additional Information:

Application Instructions

• Complete online UADA application
• Submit
  • Personal Essay ≤ 1-page (12-point font, 1-inch margins, single-spaced)
    • Please address the following:
      • List Focus Area of interest
      • What is your background/life history (≤ 300 words)?
      • What are your long-term career goals (≤ 200 words)?
      • How does participating in this summer program and/or learning about focus area help address your career goals (≤ 300 words)?
  • Letter of Reference (1)
  • Resume
  • Unofficial Transcript
     

We recommend that you carefully develop your personal essay. All documents should be provided as PDF files with your first and last name included in the file name.

Application Deadline
Applications are due at midnight on Saturday, January 31, 2027. Decisions will be made by Monday, March 2, 2027.

Department's Website:
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/special-programs/Education_in_Agriculture/internships.aspx
 

$12.50 hourlyCover Letter/Letter of Application, Letters of Recommendation, Other (see special instructions for details), Resume

Special Instructions to Applicants:

https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/special-programs/Education_in_Agriculture/internships/experiential-scholars.aspxLisa Davis, ldavis@uada.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture may conduct pre-employment background checks on certain positions for applicants being considered for employment.  The background checks may include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check.  Required checks are identified in the position listing.  A criminal background check or arrest pending adjudication information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absences of a relationship to the requirements of the position.  Background check information will be used in a consistent, non-discriminatory manner consistent with the state and federal law. 

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Frequent Physical Activity:

Occasional Physical Activity:

Benefits Eligible:

No