As a Policy Analyst Intern you will perform duties involving basic principles of quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis and will work as a member of a project team in one of Volpe’s organizations. Project work varies by division, to learn more visit: https://www.volpe.dot.gov/our-work.

You will carry out specific assignments in accordance with defined work procedures outlined by your supervisor. Complexity of duties increases with experience.

Major duties may include:

• Performing analysis to support the identification of institutional and policy issues through the examination of new technologies that are under development.
• Assisting with analysis to develop policy options and alternative strategies in response to issues.
• Developing and applying objective principles and metrics to evaluate and/or test hypotheses regarding policy options and policy decisions.
• Helping to assess the political, social, economic, and institutional environment in which transportation policy decisions are made and implemented.
• Analyzing how a particular technology is likely to transition from research into the marketplace for adoption and use by consumers, travelers, and institutions.
• Assisting with developing and drafting policy memorandums, white papers, and other technical research reports that analyze and present critical research findings.
• Traveling to field sites for testing or assignments and performing other related duties, as appropriate. Areas of study may include: emerging trends in transportation technology and safety, innovative research, decision analysis, risk assessment, economic regulations, strategic planning, program evaluation, and transportation legislation.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen and meet Pathways Internship requirements.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• This position is telework eligible.
• May be used to fill similar positions within 90 days for this location.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Must meet the eligibility requirements for the Internship Program.
• Must be enrolled at least half time at a qualifying educational institution* pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate and provide proof of enrollment.
• Must complete a background investigation.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• Review required documents section and provide all required documents by the closing date.
• Positions are located in Cambridge, MA; relocation expenses are not approved.
• Selectee is required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine suitability for federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
• This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.

Qualifications

The required education must lead to any 4-year degree, with desired education in business administration, communication, public policy or other general degree programs. Course work in fields closely related to those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours.

GS-3: Completion of one academic year post-high school study.

GS-4: Completion of two academic years of post-high school study; OR associate’s degree.

GS-5: Completion of four academic years post-high school study leading to a bachelor’s degree; OR bachelor’s degree.

GS-7: Completion of one academic year of graduate level education; OR bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement as defined in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual for Qualification Standards; OR five academic years of pre-professional study.

GS-9: A Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or A LL.B. or J.D., if related.

Superior Academic Achievement- In the upper one-third of graduating class; OR a GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0, as recorded on official transcript, or based on courses completed during final 2 years of curriculum; OR a GPA of 3.5 or higher out of 4.0, based on average of required courses completed in major or required courses in major completed during the final 2 years of curriculum.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - click here. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

For the definition of a qualifying educational institution, please use the following link: click here
Eligibility: Applicants must meet the definition of a Student http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets

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.

In order to be eligible for an appointment under the Pathways Internship Program:

- All applicants are required to provide proof of current student enrollment such as a current/fall 2017 unofficial transcript (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) or a letter from a school official (e.g. registrar, advisor, etc.) by the closing date of the advertisement or will be disqualified from further consideration.

- All applicants invited to an interview will be required to bring documentation of enrollment in the spring 2018 semester/quarter.

- All applicants must have at least 1 year remaining in their studies before they complete their current degree requirements or must enroll in another qualifying degree program upon completion of current requirements.

- Students graduating before March 1, 2018 must provide proof of continued education in the next semester/quarter (e.g. letter of application or acceptance, etc.) with their application or will be disqualified from further consideration.

- Students graduating before September 1, 2018 may apply but will be required to provide documentation of application or acceptance for future enrollment in another qualifying degree program if invited for an interview.

- If selected, you will be required to provide Official transcripts.

- If selected, you must periodically provide transcripts and/or letter from the school stating you are enrolled in a degree/certificate program on at least a half time basis in good standing and your expected graduation date.

- You may include multiple transcripts/letters; please ensure all documentation is legible.

A writing sample will be requested.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once you complete and submit your application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the job. Qualified students will be referred to the hiring manager in unranked order by veteran preference status: (1) Preference eligible having a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more; (2) all other candidates eligible for 10-point veteran preference; (3) candidates eligible for 5-point veteran preference; and (4) candidates not eligible for veteran preference.

You will not be considered for the position if any part of the application or supporting documentation is incomplete. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or adverse action after hiring.

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.
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