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.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
Work Schedule and Flexibilities:
One academic term (approx. 12-14 weeks)
Hybrid (In office + telework)
Number of Positions: 6
Preferred Term(s): Fall 2026
This project engages students in meaningful, non-governmental support activities that enhance beneficiary experience through data gathering, analysis, and communication improvements. It strengthens real-world skills in research, communication, data interpretation, and customer-experience design.
Students will support customer-experience initiatives by:
- Assisting with survey preparation, deployment, and analysis
- Compiling and categorizing beneficiary feedback
- Supporting development of call scripts, FAQs, and resource materials
- Logging and analyzing trends from beneficiary inquiries
- Assisting with outreach campaign preparation (non-decision-making roles)
Student Learning Objectives:
- Develop skills in data analysis, survey methods, customer experience practices
- Gain experience in communications writing and resource development
- Practice professional reporting, project management, and outreach planning
Deliverables
- Summary report of customer experience survey findings
- Categorized beneficiary feedback dataset (non-PII)
- Draft call scripts, FAQs, and resource materials for staff review
- Inquiry-trend dashboard or summary brief
- Outreach campaign support materials (templates, draft messages, timelines)
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.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
To participate in this Program, you must:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S National studying in the U.S. or abroad. Any remote work must be completed domestically within the United States.
- Be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution 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.
- 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.
Education
To qualify, you must be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited 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.
Benefits
Help
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