The US DOT Volpe Center is recruiting for a wide variety of Student Internship positions under the Pathways Internship Program. To qualify for an Internship, you MUST be a continuing student enrolled or accepted for enrollment for the current/upcoming semesters for the duration of the internship as a condition of employment, taking at least a half-time course load. You will be required to provide documentation to support eligibility. Students may be employed throughout the academic year.
Summary
The US DOT Volpe Center is recruiting for a wide variety of Student Internship positions under the Pathways Internship Program. To qualify for an Internship, you MUST be a continuing student enrolled or accepted for enrollment for the current/upcoming semesters for the duration of the internship as a condition of employment, taking at least a half-time course load. You will be required to provide documentation to support eligibility. Students may be employed throughout the academic year.
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. This position is part of the Pathways Program and is open to current students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational institution and enrolled at least half-time. Additional information can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets
As a student intern you will work as a member of one of Volpe’s organizational teams. 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 a variety of assignments selected to broaden skills and provide practical experience aimed at developing the employee’s skills and knowledge to perform progressively complex assignments.
Assignments at this level are designed to orient, train, and increase the student’s knowledge in his/her perspective area of study.
Assisting specialists/analysts in developing material for briefings, reports, presentations and conference materials needed by supervisor and executive management.
Developing documents, such as research based papers, graphs, charts, and other data to be used by transportation officials in defining transportation challenges and recommending options and potential solutions.
Assisting management in collecting, organizing and maintaining program and/or functional documentation and materials.
Performing a variety of program support functions, such as inputting, assigning, maintaining, monitoring, or updating work status and records as well as administering and performing other support activities.
Participating in meetings, events, and briefings.
Preparing a variety of correspondence, memoranda, and information as requested.
Traveling to field sites for testing or assignments and performing other related duties, as appropriate.
The ideal candidates are Undergraduate and Graduate students who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and self-initiative. This is a great opportunity for current students with an interest in transportation, majoring in science, engineering, technology, administration, finance, mathematics, business, economics, legal, program support, policy analysis, planning, operations research, computer science/IT, cybersecurity and research based majors.
Flexibility, creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to take initiative will help you to find—or to create—the projects that interest you the most. Good social skills will allow you to establish a close rapport with our clients both over the phone and in the field. Here is your opportunity to study trains, planes, automobiles, boats, buses, bicycles, traffic lights, pipelines, sidewalks, unmanned and autonomous systems, or hyperloops—yes, even hyperloops. To learn more about the work we do, please visit our website: www.volpe.dot.gov/our-work.
This is a temporary internship to complete project work that is temporary in nature. The appointment is not-to-exceed September 24, 2022, and can be extended without further competition to a new temporary appointment at management’s discretion based on the need of the organization for the work to continue and provided the employee remains eligible for employment in the Pathways Intern Program. Internships are expected to begin in May 2022, however, applications will be accepted for a limited number of positions available as early as January 2022.
Volpe is committed to fostering an all-inclusive diverse workforce where employees feel valued for their unique backgrounds and qualities and have a sense of belonging and engagement in helping to advance transportation for the public good.
Volpe’s Pathways Internship Program is designed to provide interns an opportunity to broaden their perspectives on issues facing government. Interns will work throughout the Volpe Center and support higher-level employees in coordinating, facilitating, and implementing activities within the division or office to which they are assigned; and be exposed to and participate in activities, innovations, and challenges facing the Transportation Industry.
Upon graduation and completion of program requirements you may be non-competitively converted, without a break in service, to a term (time-limited), career, or career conditional (permanent) appointment in the federal government with a GS-12 full performance level. Grade level upon conversion will be determined by management and neither conversion nor promotion under this Program is guaranteed.
You must meet the qualification standards of the position
You must be at least 16 years of age
You must complete a background investigation
Review Required Documents section as documents are required by closing date
Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP: Must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
INTERNSHIP: Must meet the requirements for the Internship Program.
PROOF OF ENROLLMENT: Must be enrolled at least half time at a qualifying educational institution* pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate and provide proof of enrollment.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Must complete a background investigation.
DECLARATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT: Selectee is required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine suitability for federal employment.
STUDENT STATUS: You must maintain status as a current student while on this appointment.
DEGREE: Must be related to the position.
WORK SCHEDULE: Interns may work full-time during the summer and a flexible part-time work schedule during the school year (based on agency needs) while continuing their education.
PHYSICAL LOCATION: Location negotiable after selection.
TRIAL PERIOD: The intern is in a trial period throughout the entire Pathways Internship appointment.
TRAVEL: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
You must sign a Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement; furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and provide verification of academic status (transcript) at the end of each academic term.
Qualifications
These positions have an educational requirement. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required prior to a final offer of employment.
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 2021 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 2022 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, 2022 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, 2022 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.
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the education requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.
GS-3 Completion of one academic year of 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 of post-high school study leading to a bachelor’s degree or four academic years of pre-professional study
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) Qualification Standards Handbook; 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.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
Knowledge of subject area typically provided by college-level courses sufficient to perform a varitey of assignments to broaden skills and gain practical experience.
Ability to assist higher graded teammates in developing material for briefings, reports, presentations and conference materials.
Ability to participate in meetings, events, and briefings.
Skill in oral and written communication.
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.
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.
If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.
Education
You must be a student currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited college or university:
Enrollment must be at least half-time course load as defined by the education institution (typically six hours or equivalent for undergraduate and three hours or equivalent for graduate).
Maintain good academic standing, a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 grading scale is preferred.
This is a Bargaining unit position represented by National Association of Government Employees (NAGE), Local R1-195
COVID VACCINATION: As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.
This is an Excepted Service appointment. As a part of the Pathways Internship Program, the appointment may be extended until the selectee's projected graduation date, plus 120 days. Upon graduation, depending on the qualifications and the Agency’s need the student intern may be converted without a break in service to a term (time-limited) or permanent appointment, to a position that has a career ladder target up to the GS-12, provided they are a US citizen who has worked at least 640 hours in an appropriate program and has received a favorable recommendation from the supervisor for retention. There is no guarantee of a permanent position following this internship.
If selected, you will be required to sign a Pathways Participant Agreement. Interns may work full-time during the summer and a flexible part-time work schedule during the school year (based on agency needs) while continuing their education.
You may be required to provide a writing sample
You will be in a trial period throughout your entire Pathways Internship appointment. If selected by management, you are required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
EEO STATEMENT: The Department of Transportation (DOT) maintains a model federal work environment that is free of discrimination. DOT ensures equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants for employment, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, or protected activity.
This vacancy may be used by any DOT agency to fill similar positions within 90 days.
The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ALL Applicants must provide a resume that fully supports the required specialized experience and was created within USA Jobs Resume Builder and respond to the vacancy questions by the closing date of the vacancy. Formatted resumes can be uploaded when you arrive at the DOT application system. For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/documents/resume/build/
The following is a list of documents that are only required based on the type of position and consideration for which you are applying. Please review each of the following sections to determine which, if any, additional documents you need to provide with your application.
Current Resume: Needs to be created within USA Jobs Resume Builder and required from all applicants.
Completed Questionnaire.
College Transcripts: Copies of your transcripts which includes courses currently in progress. “Unofficial” transcripts are acceptable. (Prior to appointment, an official transcript will be required.) Required from all applicants who are currently enrolled. Provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Acceptance Letter of Enrollment: A letter from the educational institution that confirms the following: The degree/diploma program in which you have been accepted and that you will be enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Required from all applicants who have been accepted for enrollment.
Department of Defense Form DD-214: Official document verifying creditable military service (if applicable).
Standard Form 15: Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, to adjudicate individuals' claims for veterans' preference (if applicable).
VETERANS: Your last DD214 (member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility. It need not be official.
If you are applying to a vacancy opened to all US Citizens under category rating and wish to be considered as a preference eligible, you need to submit a copy of your DD214 (member-4 copy).
If you are claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. An SF-15 is desired, but not required.
If you are applying to a vacancy opened Status and you are requesting consideration under Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/#veoa), you need to provide a copy of your last DD214 (member-4 copy), which verifies your military service dates, reason for separation, OR certification of separation that shows a discharge date within 120 days of the closing of this announcement, and eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act.
Veterans Administration Letter: Official document verifying total compensable disability based on military service (if applicable).
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
DOT, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE / HAHR-50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Next steps
Once the application process is completed in its entirety, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualifications. Qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews.
If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
ALL Applicants must provide a resume that fully supports the required specialized experience and was created within USA Jobs Resume Builder and respond to the vacancy questions by the closing date of the vacancy. Formatted resumes can be uploaded when you arrive at the DOT application system. For assistance with the resume builder, please visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/documents/resume/build/
The following is a list of documents that are only required based on the type of position and consideration for which you are applying. Please review each of the following sections to determine which, if any, additional documents you need to provide with your application.
Current Resume: Needs to be created within USA Jobs Resume Builder and required from all applicants.
Completed Questionnaire.
College Transcripts: Copies of your transcripts which includes courses currently in progress. “Unofficial” transcripts are acceptable. (Prior to appointment, an official transcript will be required.) Required from all applicants who are currently enrolled. Provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Acceptance Letter of Enrollment: A letter from the educational institution that confirms the following: The degree/diploma program in which you have been accepted and that you will be enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Required from all applicants who have been accepted for enrollment.
Department of Defense Form DD-214: Official document verifying creditable military service (if applicable).
Standard Form 15: Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, to adjudicate individuals' claims for veterans' preference (if applicable).
VETERANS: Your last DD214 (member 4 copy), Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, that shows the type of discharge and all dates of active duty is required to verify your eligibility. It need not be official.
If you are applying to a vacancy opened to all US Citizens under category rating and wish to be considered as a preference eligible, you need to submit a copy of your DD214 (member-4 copy).
If you are claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. An SF-15 is desired, but not required.
If you are applying to a vacancy opened Status and you are requesting consideration under Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/#veoa), you need to provide a copy of your last DD214 (member-4 copy), which verifies your military service dates, reason for separation, OR certification of separation that shows a discharge date within 120 days of the closing of this announcement, and eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act.
Veterans Administration Letter: Official document verifying total compensable disability based on military service (if applicable).
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
DOT, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE / HAHR-50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Next steps
Once the application process is completed in its entirety, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualifications. Qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews.
If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
