Duties

Summary

VSFS is a nine-month, unpaid eInternship. See this year's projects: http://vsfs.state.gov/projects . eInternships are virtual; students have a flexible schedule.

The government needs the talent, fresh ideas, and digital excellence of U.S. college students. VSFS eInterns will increase the digital capacity of federal agencies participating, whether technically, artistically or via increased communication. eInterns have the opportunity to connect with each other and work collaboratively.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

VSFS eIntern duties and responsibilities will vary according to the location and needs of each office and VSFS project. VSFS projects may be research based, contributing to reports on issues such as human rights, economics or the environment. They may also be more technology oriented, such as working on web pages, or helping produce electronic journals. Students are expected work virtually on an average of 10 hours per week on VSFS eInternship projects. Most work and projects are internet-based.

Past VSFS projects included:

• Building a platform for host country and American students to exchange their ideas, experience, and knowledge about environmental advocacy
• Identifying and using journalism trends to reach out to students and young journalists
• Expanding a post's English learning and educational advising
• Creating lesson plans on environmental conservation and for schools in remote areas of the country
• Researching, interviewing, and producing a video on visa lottery winners' stories and experiences in the US for Consular outreach
• Data analysis and visualization to argue the benefits of a policy change

All work recognizes that VSFS eInterns do not have U.S. Government security clearances.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
NA

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• A U.S. citizen
• In student status at an institute of higher education
• VSFS eInterns will not need to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance

IMPORTANT: You are eligible to apply for the Department's Virtual Student Federal Service eInternship program if you will be enrolled as a half or full-time student (as defined in the Education Qualifications section above.) If applying, you must have proof that you have registered, or have been accepted for enrollment.

Qualifications

You must meet the requirements and submit the application on time. You should write a dynamite statement of interest which will be seen by all three project mentors. Make sure to confirm through this site that you have successfully submitted your application through USAJobs.gov. You should receive a confirmation email. The project mentors will evaluate your application further based on their needs and your skills to make the final decision.

Education

An applicant must be:

• A U.S. citizen
• In student status at an institute of higher education
• A part or full-time student

Additional information

VSFS eInternships are done virtually. Students must have access to the internet.

Virtual Student Federal Service eInterns are unpaid and not Federal government employees. They are not entitled to any employee benefits. To repeat, there are no employee benefits associated with the VSFS eInternship position. Applying course credit for participating in a VSFS eInternship must be determined by the student and the academic institution.

NOTE: There is NO travel associated with, nor required for, this position. Work will be completed by VSFS eInterns from the location of their choice and in the outfit of their choice.

It is the policy of the Federal Government to treat all of its employees and volunteers with dignity and respect and to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination whether that discrimination is based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity or pregnancy), national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, age, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The Interview Process

If a mentor is considering you as a candidate, you might be interviewed. Project mentors will determine the extent to which an applicant's education, experience, and background indicates that he/she possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the specific VSFS eInternship.
To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

In addition to using the USAJobs resume builder and completing the online application, which includes a Statement of Interest, all applicants must also provide their transcript. Both official and unofficial transcripts are acceptable as part of the application process. You must electronically submit your transcript by uploading it through USAJobs. You will be prompted to do so. If your transcript does not yet reflect your grades from either the current or most recent semester, you may still submit that transcript. If you are a first-year student and do not have a transcript, please submit a copy of your most recent course schedule to verify enrollment. If you are a first year graduate student, you must submit a copy of your most recent undergraduate transcript. Your application will not be considered if you fail to include your transcript in your application. Don't fret about your grades; the most important part of your application is the Statement of Interest.

Recommendation letters should not be attached.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

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.