Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and valuable career-ready skills. With this project, you'll support a remote sensing-based project to help improve scientific understanding of water quality and water color.
Summary
Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and valuable career-ready skills. With this project, you'll support a remote sensing-based project to help improve scientific understanding of water quality and water color.
10 hours per week for a full academic term (quarter or semester). Hours per week are flexible based on student's schedule and goals. Preferred hybrid but remote work is also an option.
Project Description:
Remote Sensing Algorithm Development for Water Quality Monitoring in San Francisco Bay. San Francisco Bay is an economically and environmentally important estuarine system where water quality is dynamic and highly variable. USGS scientists are developing and validating satellite-based algorithms to monitor water quality constituents - including suspended sediment, chlorophyll-a, and dissolved organic matter - using publicly available imagery from Landsat, Sentinel-2, and the new NASA PACE satellite. The student volunteer(s) will support this work by contributing to algorithm testing, validation, and development under the supervision of USGS research scientists. Core tasks may include:
Compiling and processing satellite imagery and in-situ water quality datasets using Python
Testing published remote sensing algorithms against field measurements from San Francisco Bay
Supporting development of novel retrieval approaches, potentially including machine learning methods
Contributing to map product generation or validation summaries
Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National studying in the U.S. or abroad. International students on valid visas may participate if they meet applicable immigration, visa, and agency authorities.
Be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.
Be in good academic standing as defined by your institution.
Commit to volunteering 8 - 20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.
Complete all required onboarding documentation assigned by the Department of the Interior and your academic institution.
Agree to volunteer. This position is unpaid. No compensation, stipends, or hiring preference will be granted from this work. You may use this volunteer experience to qualify for future jobs you choose to apply for.
Agree to understanding volunteers are not Federal employees.
Qualifications
Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs. Specifically, applicants should have: demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, curiousity and interest in learning new things, and a background in environmental science, remote sensing, geography, oceanography, hydrology, or computer/data science and an interest in applied environmental monitoring. Familiarity with GIS, satellite imagery, or water quality concepts is a plus but not required.
The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program, as authorized under 5 U.S.C ยง31114 and 5 CFR Part 3085, enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration. These assignments are designed to align with each agency's strategic priorities, offering participants practical experience within Federal operations while supporting the advancement of targeted initiatives.
Education
To qualify, you must be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution. You also must be in good academic standing as defined by your institution. Attach a copy of your transcripts to your application package for verification.
Additional information
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.
This is an unpaid volunteer experience. Student volunteers are not considered Federal employees for any purpose other than injury compensation and laws related to the Federal Tort Claims Act, and service is not creditable for leave accrual or other employee benefits.
Professional experience. Meaningful project work with clear deliverables, regular supervision, and federal mentorship.
Skill development. Hands-on application of academic knowledge in real-world Federal operations.
Career exploration. Exposure to Federal missions, workplace culture, and potential career pathways.
Protection and support. - Coverage under Federal Tort Claims Act- Workers' compensation for service-related injuries- Structured onboarding and ongoing supervision
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated by DOI personnel to determine your eligibility for the position and your application will be forwarded to the opportunity manager for review.
This is an unpaid volunteer experience. Student volunteers are not considered Federal employees for any purpose other than injury compensation and laws related to the Federal Tort Claims Act, and service is not creditable for leave accrual or other employee benefits.
Professional experience. Meaningful project work with clear deliverables, regular supervision, and federal mentorship.
Skill development. Hands-on application of academic knowledge in real-world Federal operations.
Career exploration. Exposure to Federal missions, workplace culture, and potential career pathways.
Protection and support. - Coverage under Federal Tort Claims Act- Workers' compensation for service-related injuries- Structured onboarding and ongoing supervision
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Your resume (two or fewer pages) showing:
- Your work experience including start and end dates.
- Education information, such as the name of your school and dates of attendance.
- Any knowledge, skills or abilities you've gained through education that relate to the project.
Proof of current enrollment not less than half-time in a trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.
To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. A complete application package must be sent by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/10/2026 to pathways_pmf@ios.doi.gov to receive consideration. Your application email should indicate the project(s) to which you are seeking consideration.
We are not accepting online applications, please follow the instructions above to apply.
Once your application is received you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by DOI personnel to determine your eligibility for the position and your application will be forwarded to the opportunity manager for review.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
Your resume (two or fewer pages) showing:
- Your work experience including start and end dates.
- Education information, such as the name of your school and dates of attendance.
- Any knowledge, skills or abilities you've gained through education that relate to the project.
Proof of current enrollment not less than half-time in a trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.
To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. A complete application package must be sent by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/10/2026 to pathways_pmf@ios.doi.gov to receive consideration. Your application email should indicate the project(s) to which you are seeking consideration.
We are not accepting online applications, please follow the instructions above to apply.
Once your application is received you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by DOI personnel to determine your eligibility for the position and your application will be forwarded to the opportunity manager for review.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
