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. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration aligning with each agency's strategic priorities.
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. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration aligning with each agency's strategic priorities.
Open to post-secondary students currently accepted for enrollment, seeking a diploma/degree in technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution (at least college or above) on a full or half-time basis as defined by the educational institution.
Work Schedule and Flexibilities:- Student hours: 8-20 hours per week, part-time. Total Duration: Minimum 90-days, align with academic term calendars.- Remote (100% work off site) Number of Positions: 2 Term(s): Fall 2026 (90 day term between August 15 - December 15)
This vacancy will be open until Wednesday, July 15th at 11:59pm ET. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages.
This project supports an ongoing effort to evaluate insect pollinator status and vulnerability in the Southeast and U.S. Caribbean by the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center - a multi-partner initiative assessing how changing conditions may affect native bees across the highly biodiverse region. The project integrates ecological data, hazards data, and species-specific knowledge from technical experts to identify at-risk pollinator taxa and support conservation practitioners with actionable information. Student volunteers will help advance the project's results synthesis and science communication, ensuring that findings are accessible, accurate, and useful for end-users including federal and state agencies, Tribal partners, NGOs, land managers, and the public.
The student will contribute to two core needs:
Results Collation, Distillation & Organization. As the project brings together data and expert assessments across many species across the region, the student will assist with: Help organize inputs from assessments and expert responses; Collate summary findings across species groups or geographic regions; Assist in distilling results into digestible formats; Identify patterns or themes relevant for stakeholder communication.
Science Communication & End-User Product Development. The student will help translate technical project outputs into clear, engaging communication products such as: Short written summaries of methods, findings, or project activities; Web content updates for the project webpage; Infographics or visual explainers illustrating key concepts (e.g., what hazards exposure means for pollinators, why certain species are vulnerable); Fact sheets or one-page briefs tailored to conservation practitioners. All communication outputs will be collaboratively developed with the project lead and will not involve independent decision-making authority.
Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S National studying in the U.S. or abroad. International students on valid US student visas may participate if they meet applicable immigration, visa, and agency authorities. To be eligible for the background check to access government equipment and buildings, international students must have maintained continuous residence in the United States for three years. Any remote work must be completed domestically within the United States.
Be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution (at least college or above) throughout the 90 day Semester of Service opportunity. Students graduating before December 1, 2026 are not eligible.
Qualifying educational institutions must be located within the United States.
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. fhigh
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.
Not be a current federal employee. Current federal employees can reach out to the contact below to inquire about job detail opportunities.
Qualifications
Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs. Specifically, applicants should be a college, university or technical/vocational institute student from an academic background related to environmental sciences, biology, science communication, or related fields are welcome; have an interest in science communication, biology, ecology, climate, hazards, or conservation, and the student should have a basic ability to translate scientific information into clear, accessible language for non-technical audiences; have solid organizational and synthesis skills, including comfort working with multiple information sources. A familiarity with basic science communication or design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe suite, or similar products) is helpful but not necessary.
Education
To qualify, you must be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited 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 Department of Interior personnel to determine your eligibility for the position and your application will be forwarded to the project 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
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. Note:Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications
Proof of current enrollment not less than half-time in a technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution. Transcripts or a certificate of enrollment are preferred.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You can view the assessment here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12999761
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/howto/application/status.Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations should be sent to the vacancy contact listed below.
NATL AND REGIONAL ADAPTATION SCS
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Mail Stop 600
Reston, VA 20192
US
Next steps
Once your online 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. Note:Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications
Proof of current enrollment not less than half-time in a technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution. Transcripts or a certificate of enrollment are preferred.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You can view the assessment here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12999761
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/howto/application/status.Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations should be sent to the vacancy contact listed below.
NATL AND REGIONAL ADAPTATION SCS
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Mail Stop 600
Reston, VA 20192
US
Next steps
Once your online 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.
