Student Trainee Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This is a student-trainee position which is established to provide a meaningful work opportunity in the Laborer, WG-3502 occupation. The employment opportunity may involve, specific work assignments and a variety of assignments, and working with intermediate and journeyman level staff. You will perform moderately heavy physical labor requiring the use of common hand tools and power equipment.
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Duties
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Temporary maintenance workers perform a variety of building and utility maintenance and general maintenance duties for the Buildings and Utilities, Road, Trails and Grounds, Platte River Campground, and the Manitou islands.
Major Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide labor assistance to maintain buildings, grounds, roads, trails, boardwalks, and otherwise maintain park facilities. May be assigned to clean public restrooms, pick up and haul garbage; pick up litter; maintain campgrounds and associated facilities such as public water and wastewater systems, fire pits, fish cleaning station, picnic areas, etc.
• Operate equipment such as lawnmowers, various hand tools (such as shovels, rakes, lawn edging equipment, etc.) and various types of power equipment. May operate light pickups, electric carts, small tractors, and other types of vehicles in a variety of traffic and road conditions.
• Load and upload supplies and materials from trucks, trailers, dollies, etc. Move furniture, remove and set signs, perform various painting and minor repair work including some plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work.
• Identify and correct job safety and health hazards. Follow prescribed safety practices and uses safety equipment such as protective hearing devices, hard hats, seat belts, steel-toed shoes, respirators, and protective clothing as required by the work being performed.

Cut-off Dates: This is an open continuous announcement, in which applications are collected over several months, and have multiple cut-off dates. Applications will be considered through the open period of the announcement. **INITIAL CUT OFF is Tuesday 01/13/2026. Additional referral certificates will be issued when a hiring official exhausts current certificate and/or additional vacancies need to be filled.
Positions may work throughout the Lakeshore including the remote Manitou Islands. You must be willing to work anywhere within the Lakeshore. Government Housing: Shared government housing may be available for rent. If stationed on the islands, housing may be provided at no cost to you.
AREA INFORMATION Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is within a beautiful scenic resort area on the shores of Lake Michigan. Housing, medical facilities, shopping, churches, banks, daycare, and recreational opportunities are readily available within a 30mile radius from park headquarters in Empire. High temperatures average between 70-80 degrees in the summer and low temperatures average between 10-20 degrees in winter. For additional area information, please visit www.nps.gov/slbe.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Direct Deposit:Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Pathways Agreement: Pathways participant agreement is required.
• Driving: You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
• Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Trial Period: The entire period served under the Intern Program counts as a trial period.
• Minimum Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-05/29/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
To be eligible for this Pathways position you must:

1. Be enrolled in a degree seeking program.
2. Be enrolled on one half (½) time basis.
3. Have a minimum 2.0 grade average.
4. Attending an accredited education institution.
5. Provide transcripts with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.
6. Be enrolled for the next semester/quarter following the period of this vacancy and provide supporting documentation of such.

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:
1. Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision
2. Work Practices (includes keeping things neat, clean and in order)
3. Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
4. Ability To Use and Maintain tools and Equipment
5. Dexterity and Safety
SCREEN OUT:
Minimum Qualifications: Perform the general laborer duties without more than normal supervision. Laborer duties include loading and unloading supplies; digging ditches; moving and arranging furniture; sweeping, mopping floors; stripping floor wax and using a variety of floor polishers; emptying garbage cans; cleaning restrooms; ensure needed materials and tools are available and are in good working order; and lifting and moving heavy loads over 50 pounds. Possess a good work ethic, dexterity and can perform strenuous work as required by the position. Tasks assigned are completed with close supervision by work leader or supervisor for conformance to requirements.
If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
You must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
You will NOT be considered under Pathways unless you provide supporting information from your school. Documentation may be provided in letter format from your academic advisor, school counselor, admission office, etc. to prove enrollment OR it may be provided in the form of several official documents from your school such as a copy of your official transcripts and a copy of your class schedule for next semester. Copies of documents from your school website are acceptable if they contain all relevant information as listed above. Letters from advisors or other school officials must be on school letterhead.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.
Additional information
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
If selected, you will be required to sign a Pathways Agreement which specifies the conditions of your employment as we've indicated in this job announcement. You must continue to meet the Pathways Program requirements throughout the duration of your appointment. To verify that you do, we will require proof of your continued enrollment and good standing each semester or grading period throughout your internship. Failure to do so will result in termination of your internship and employment.
Physical Demands: The work performed requires the exertion of moderate to very heavy physical effort. The work involves lifting and moving objects over 50 pounds, and in some cases, carrying 80 to 100 pounds (or more) with assistance.
Working Conditions: Outside work is usually performed under all kinds of weather conditions. Indoor work is often accomplished in office buildings or in well-lighted, heated, and ventilated areas such as warehouses, loading docks, or trade shops. Frequently exposed to weather and temperature extremes, drafts, noise, dust, and dirt and the possibility of bruises, muscle strains, cuts and scrapes. Work requires the employee to follow proper safety procedures and use standard safety equipment such as gloves, ear protectors, safety glasses, and steel toe shoes to avoid possible hazards in the work area.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.