Duties
The eDiscovery Branch is responsible for managing electronically stored information (ESI) across the full records lifecycle in support of the FAA's legal, congressional, and public records obligations. Our work ensures that when the agency is required to produce information, whether for litigation, a congressional inquiry, or a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, that information is located, processed, and delivered accurately, on time, and in a legally defensible format.
The branch oversees data collection, processing, document review support, platform administration, compliance monitoring, and user training. These functions sit at the intersection of information technology, law, and records management, making the work both technically demanding and organizationally significant. The records we handle directly influence how the FAA is perceived by oversight bodies, the public, and the courts. Delays, errors, or gaps in production can expose the agency to reputational harm, increased congressional scrutiny, or legal consequences, which is why precision and reliability are central to everything we do.
As a part-time staff member, you will contribute to real, mission-critical work alongside experienced professionals in IT, compliance, and program management.
The Student Trainee will
- Assisting with data intake, tracking, and documentation for active cases
- Supporting quality control reviews of processed document sets
- Updating and maintaining case tracking logs and status reports
- Helping prepare materials for user training sessions
- Performing basic platform administration tasks under supervision
- Organizing and formatting deliverables for legal and compliance review
The student will perform selected on the job assignments and receive instruction on agency or departmental goals, objectives, regulations, procedures, occupational hazards, safety standards, inspection techniques and work processes.
Desired Experience/Exposure to the following:
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud through coursework or hands-on projects
- Experience with data entry, file organization, and document management in an academic or work setting
- Strong experience with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and SharePoint
- Exposure to data reporting tools such as Power BI or Tableau
- Experience drafting or editing professional documents, reports, or research summaries
- Understanding of metadata, file formats, and digital records management concepts
- Experience building spreadsheets, trackers, or simple dashboards to organize and present information
- Strong attention to detail developed through academic research, lab work, or quality-focused roles
- Coursework or project experience in information technology, cybersecurity, records management, law, or a related field
APPOINTMENT: If selected, your volunteer role may not exceed a total of 120 days after completing educational requirements. Participation in this program may be terminated at any time.
AGREEMENT: All participants must sign a written Volunteer Service Agreement with their manager that clearly identifies expectations of the appointment such as duties, length of appointment, work schedule, training, mentorship etc.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- US Citizenship is required.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- A background investigation may be required
- Commit to volunteering 8 - 20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.
- 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.
- 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.
- Be in good academic standing as defined by your institution.
Qualifications
Must be enrolled no less than half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
Education
IF SELECTED, OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO EMPLOYMENT. If you do not have an official transcript (original with a raised seal) you should request it today. Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.
Additional information
We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements
As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.
In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate.
Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for consideration.
This is not a bargaining unit position.
Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.
Required Documents
YOU MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPTS ON OR BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF CONSIDERATION. If you cannot upload your transcripts to your application, please email a copy to studentprograms@faa.gov and reference the announcement number on the Email.
Only supplemental documentation, e.g. transcripts or veteran's documentation will be accepted in combination with your online application. These documents must be uploaded or emailed to studentprograms@faa.gov on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.
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.