Duties
This vacancy announcement will be open from 07/30/2026 to 08/05/2026 or when 25 applications have been received. The vacancy will close on whichever day the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages.
EducationUSA and American Spaces Strategic Communications & Data Modernization Project:
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks a motivated volunteer to design and deliver a self-contained strategic communications and data visualization package supporting 1) EducationUSA, the U.S. Department of State's official source on U.S. higher education, which operates a network of over 400 advising centers in more than 170 countries worldwide promotes American educational excellence to foreign students and assists accredited U.S. institutions of higher education develop competitive marketing strategies that advance America’s dominance in the educational services industry, and facilitates connections with international networks and partnerships to advance research, innovation, and cutting-edge technology critical to U.S. national security and prosperity. 2) American Spaces -- With nearly 600 locations in over 140 countries, American Spaces connect the United States and communities worldwide. Managed by U.S. embassies, often in partnership with local institutions, American Spaces advance U.S. foreign policy goals. They share America’s entrepreneurial spirit with the world, advancing free speech and digital freedom. By convening people and institutions to promote U.S. higher education and develop professional skills, American Spaces advance America’s interests and connect future leaders to the United States.
Over the course of the 90–120 day service period, the volunteer will build a complete "Communications and Data Toolkits" for the EducationUSA and American Spaces networks, culminating in a final deliverable package presented to program leadership. This project offers hands-on experience in international education and cultural diplomacy, strategic communications design, and data visualization skills directly transferable to careers in public diplomacy, international affairs, and communications.
Project Deliverables:
The volunteer will independently design, build, and present the following:
Communications Toolkit (Weeks 1–6): Create a set of original visual communication products including a program one-pager, a leadership briefing slide deck, and a set of social-media-ready graphics that translate the Office’s work on digital freedom, STEM, AI, and emerging technologies into clear, compelling public-facing messaging.
Data Visualization Dashboard (Weeks 5–10): Design a data visualization dashboard or interactive spreadsheet model that consolidates EducationUSA advising center metrics (e.g., student engagement, regional reach, program impact) from multiple existing data sources into a single, modernized reporting tool that program staff can reuse going forward.
Final Briefing and Handover Package (Weeks 10–12): Deliver a final presentation to the Office Director and staff summarizing key findings from the data visualization work, along with a documented "toolkit" (templates, style guide, and dashboard instructions) that the office can use after the volunteer's term ends.
Learning Objectives:
This project allows the volunteer to build a professional portfolio of original design and data analysis work product while gaining direct exposure to how the Department communicates U.S. foreign policy priorities to international audiences.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
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. International students on valid visas may participate if they meet applicable immigration, visa, and agency authorities.
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 for the Spring 2027 semester.
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 Federal agency 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.
Must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 out of 4.0 scale.
Qualifications
Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs.
Specifically, applicants should have:
-Strong written and verbal communication skills
-Data analysis and organization skills
-Technical proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
-Graphic design experience (preferred): familiarity with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite or Canva
Education
To qualify, you must 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 for the Spring 2027 semester. 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.
Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 out of 4.0 scale.
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.
Required Documents
- Include any supporting documents that don't fit within another category or are listed in the job announcement.
- Proof of enrollment shows that you are enrolled in a school or training.
- Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.
- See the job announcement for what you should include in the supplemental application.
- Transcripts may support your qualifications for a federal job and can include high school, college or other schools.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume (two or fewer pages) showing:
• Your work experience to include 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.
2. Proof of current enrollment not less than half-time in a trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.
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.