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.
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 23, 2023, 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 2023, however, applications will be accepted for a limited number of positions available as early as January 2023.
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.
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.
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 2022 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 2023 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 prior to June 1, 2023 must provide proof of continued education (e.g. letter of acceptance, transcript, etc.) in Fall 2023 semester with their application or will be disqualified from further consideration.
- 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 may be requested.
Education
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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.
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.
- You may review your saved application(s) at https://my.usajobs.gov.
If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at Transjobs@dot.gov.