Duties
Internships are expected to begin in May/June 2026.
The Premier College Intern Program/Pathways Internship Program integrates on-the-job training with pertinent education by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The individual series are listed below for your reference and information to include the applicable qualification standard. These programs are designed to provide interns an opportunity to broaden their perspectives on issues facing government. Interns will work throughout the Department of Air Force (DAF) and support higher-level management in coordinating, facilitating, and implementing activities within the office to which they are assigned; and be exposed to and participate in activities, innovations, and challenges facing the DAF.
The Student Trainee works in support of the office they are assigned to which 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 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.
- Participating in meetings, events, and briefings.
The individual series are listed below for your reference and information to include the applicable qualification standard:
GS-0099 - Miscellaneous Student Trainee Series (e.g. Community Planning or similar fields)
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0000/general-student-trainee-series-0099/
GS-0199 - Social Science Student Trainee Series (e.g. Psychologist or similar fields)
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/social-science-student-trainee-series-0199/
GS-0499 - Biological Sciences (e.g. Biologist, Microbiologist or similar fields)
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/biological-science-student-trainee-series-0499/
GS-0599 - Accounting and Budget (Accounting, Auditing)
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0500/financial-management-student-trainee-series-0599/
GS-0899 - Engineering and Architectural Student Trainee Series (e.g. Civil, Chemical, General, or similar fields)
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/engineering-and-architecture-student-trainee-series-0899/
GS-1399 - Physical Sciences (e.g. Metallurgy, Chemist, Physicist or similar fields)
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/physical-science-student-trainee-series-1399/
GS-1599 - Mathematics and Statistics Student Trainee Series (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, or similar fields)
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/mathematics-and-statistics-student-trainee-series-1599/
GS-1799 - Education
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1700/education-student-trainee-series-1799/
GS-2299 - Information Technology Management
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2200/information-technology-management-student-trainee-series-2299/
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Must meet suitability requirements for Federal employment
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Must sign a Participant Agreement
- U.S. citizen or national (resident of American Samoa or Swains Island)
- Must be eligible to work under U.S. immigration laws
- You must be a student currently enrolled full time in an accredited college or university, accepted for enrollment or enrolled in an approved program pursuing a Baccalaureate Degree (Junior/Senior only), Graduate or Professional Degree
- Enrollment must be full-time course load as defined by the education institution (full-time course load is typically defined as a minimum of twelve credit hours per semester for undergraduate students)
- Have a good academic standing (no less than 2.95 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 grading scale)
- Meet the qualification standards of the position
- Non-citizens may be eligible for employment if Permitted by the DoD Appropriation Act
- SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
- Depending on location and series selected for, you may be required to complete a background/security investigation, drug test, and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
- TRIAL PERIOD: The intern is in a trial period throughout the entire Pathways Internship appointment.
- WORK SCHEDULE: Intern should be able to work at least 40 hours per week during 10-12 week summer internship.
- PHYSICAL LOCATION: The intern will be required to report to the designated onsite location as identified upon selection.
Qualifications
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a developmental opportunity, this position may be filled at the GS-04 or GS-05, grade level depending on applicant qualifications and organizational requirements. The individual selected for this position may be considered for promotion to a higher grade without further competition upon meeting all legal and regulatory/program requirements.
Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the education requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration and provide official transcripts once you complete the current semester.. You must be continuing your education the following semester (proof of acceptance and/or enrollment is required).
Pursuing a Baccalaureate Degree (Junior/Senior only), Graduate or Professional Degree
Enrollment must be full time course load as defined by the education institution (typically 12 hours or equivalent for undergraduate and six hours or equivalent for graduate) and have a good academic standing (no less than 2.95 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 grading scale)
- GS-04 - 60 or more credit hours/Junior. Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree.
- GS-05 - 120+ credit hours/Junior or Senior in an accelerated 5-year program. Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree.
This Internship has an education requirement. You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims.
Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required once you complete the current semester. In-progress semester/quarter hours may be used to qualify for a higher grade level. Qualifications will be determined based on completed and in-progress hours stated on your unofficial transcript submitted at the time of application.
You must provide updated transcripts that show any/all degrees conferred, current grades and registration with cumulative GPA to support your educational claims (acceptance letter is also required if applicable to current academic status). Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - click here. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
- Knowledge of subject area typically provided by college-level courses sufficient to perform a variety of assignments to broaden skills and gain practical experience.
- Ability to assist higher graded teammates in developing material for briefings, reports, presentations and conference materials.
- Ability to participate in meetings, events, and briefings.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Recommend areas of study: Seeking a Degree in computer science, education, engineering, accounting, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management.
Education
This position has an education requirement. You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
The required education must be either: (a) related to the field in which student will receive on the job training; or (b) applicable under the qualification standard for the target occupational series. Selective factors may be used to identify special requirements, e.g., specific courses, needed to perform the work of individual positions.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- You must be a student currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited college or other qualifying educational institution for the Fall 2026-2027 academic year.
- Degree must be related to the position.
- Enrollment must be a full-time course load as defined by the higher education institution (typically 12 hours or equivalent for undergraduate and 6 hours or equivalent for graduate).
- Eligibilities must be met prior to start date.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements listed above by the start of your internship.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
For more information on the Pathways Program, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets
PATHWAYS ELIGIBILITY:
- You must be a student currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited college, trade school, or other qualifying educational institution for the Fall 2026-2027 academic year on a full-time basis (as determined by the educational institution).
- Bachelors degree students graduating in the upcoming Spring 2026 semester will be disqualified from further consideration unless proof of dual enrollment is provided.
- Interns will work full-time during the summer and may work a flexible part-time work schedule during the school year (based on agency needs) while continuing their education.
- Enrollment must be a full-time course load as defined by the higher education institution (typically 12 hours or equivalent for undergraduate and 6 hours or equivalent for graduate).
- Be seeking a degree that is relevant to the position selected for.
- Grade qualifications must be met prior to start date.
If selected you:
- Must maintain status as a current student AND maintain a minimum 2.95 cumulative GPA;
- Must furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and
- Must provide verification of academic status (transcript) at the end of each academic term.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements listed above by the start of your internship.
Additional information
This is a Pathways Student Internship opportunity managed by the Force Renewal Program and centrally funded by the Air Force's Central Salary Account (CSA). The Internship offers valuable work experience directly related to your academic field of study. This is your opportunity to begin a successful Federal civilian career with the United States Air Force. As an Intern, you will be given the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to pursue a successful career with the US Air Force and upon completing your degree and meeting conversion eligibility requirements, be eligible for placement in a permanent position. However, it is important to remember that eligibility for conversion does not guarantee you will be offered a permanent position. The length of Internship is normally two years or when you complete your academic program and degree requirements.
This internship is to provide a learning opportunity for a student enrolled in a field of study relating to their career path, to enhance their future goals and improve their knowledge with work experience in a working environment
The entire period served under the Internship Program counts as the participant's trial period.
Non-citizens may be eligible for employment if permitted by the DoD Appropriation Act
This is an Excepted Service appointment.
Conversion to the Competitive Service: You may be non-competitively converted to a permanent appointment within the PALACE Acquire (PAQ)/Copper Cap (COP) or a similar Program. The target grade of the conversion could be above GS-11. However, it is important to remember that eligibility for conversion does not guarantee you will be offered a permanent position.
Please note that conversion is not guaranteed and is subject to the needs of the agency, available funding, and satisfactory performance. Grade level upon conversion will be determined by management and qualifications.
NOTE: U.S. citizenship is required for a noncompetitive conversion to a permanent or term appointment with the Department of the Air Force.
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click
here for more information.
Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click
here.
If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.
You may be non-competitively converted to a term or permanent appointment within the PALACE Acquire (PAQ)/Copper Cap (COP) or a similar Program.
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.
DESCRIBING YOUR EDUCATION: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EDUCATION. If your application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your application must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.
Once you complete and submit your application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the job. Qualified students will be referred to the hiring manager in unranked order by veteran preference status: (1) Preference eligible having a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more; (2) all other candidates eligible for 10-point veteran preference; (3) candidates eligible for 5-point veteran preference; and (4) candidates not eligible for veteran preference. You will not be considered for the position if any part of the application or supporting documentation is incomplete. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or adverse action after hiring.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Interns may be considered for noncompetitive conversion to a term or permanent appointment within 180 days of completion of degree requirements, IF they:
- Are a U.S. citizen
- Successfully complete an academic course of study with a GPA of at least 2.95 (GPA 3.1 for certain engineer positions)
- Complete a minimum of 480 hours of work experience under the Internship Program
- Meet the OPM Qualification requirements for the position the intern may be converted to
- Maintain acceptable performance
It is important to remember that eligibility for conversion does not guarantee the agency will offer conversion.
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be provided with your application for this Public Notice:
- Online Application - Questionnaire
- Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
- Transcript:The transcript may be an unofficial transcript at the time of application but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements. However, you will need to provide an official transcript once you complete the current semester.
- Acceptance Letter of Enrollment: (Proof of enrollment/class registration) A letter from the educational institution that confirms the following: The degree/diploma program in which you have been accepted and that you will be enrolled at least on a half-time basis. Required from all applicants who need to verify enrollment per the stated education requirements.
- Registration/License - active, current registration/license if applicable for the position
- Veterans: If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran or Veteran's Preference - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD-Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD-Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15.
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires agencies to treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.
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.