Student Trainee (Actuarial Science)

Office of Personnel Management

Healthcare and Insurance

Summary

This position is being filled under the for Post-Secondary Intern Hiring Authority.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) invites students to apply to our Intern positions. The ideal candidates are seeking a bachelor or graduate degree and demonstrate innovation and self-initiative. You will have an opportunity to train and develop your skills in career fields such as policy, healthcare, or insurance and have a positive impact on the people and communities that OPM serves.

This job is open to

Students

Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.

Clarification from the agency

This position is being filled under the Post-Secondary Intern Hiring Authority.

Duties

What You May Be Doing: As a Student Trainee, you will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of tasks and projects. Some of the responsibilities you may undertake include:

Assist actuaries with actuarial valuations supporting Federal retirement, health, life, and benefits programs.
Support preparation of materials and data used in premium negotiations and actuarial evaluations.
Prepare data supporting actuarial liability determinations and financial reporting activities.
Conduct technical actuarial research and analytical studies supporting policy recommendations.
Analyze routine actuarial issues and present findings to higher-graded actuaries.
Create complete documentation describing methods, analyses, and results of assignments.
Compile, organize, and perform quality checks on program experience and demographic data.
Assemble reference materials, data files, and supporting documentation for actuarial projects.
Conduct literature searches and gather reference materials to support actuarial studies and research.
Prepare summaries of data sources, methods, and results for review by senior actuaries.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service .
Age: You must be at least 16 years of age
Background Investigation: Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
Trial/Probationary Period: Selectee may have to complete a trial/probationary.
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin
You will be required to report to an OPM assigned office.
This position is not eligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit

Qualifications

For the GS-5 Grade Level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service (or equivalent) performing all of the following: Compiling data using spreadsheets, databases, or similar analytical tools; Reviewing reference materials, records, or supporting documentation for studies, reports, or projects; AND Preparing written summaries, reports, or documentation that communicate methods, findings, or results for review by others.
OR
Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree.
OR
I have a combination of the experience described in Response A and college education described in Response B above, which when combined are equivalent to 100% of the qualifications requirement.

For the GS7 Grade Level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service (or equivalent) performing all of the following: Analyzing and interpreting quantitative data to support studies, evaluations, forecasts, or business decisions; Applying mathematical, statistical, financial, actuarial methods to develop calculations, projections, or recommendations; Evaluating information from multiple sources to support technical reports, analyses, or program decisions; AND Preparing analytical reports, summaries, or documentation that explain methodologies, findings, and recommendations to stakeholders or management.
OR
I have one full academic year of graduate-level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as, actuarial science, mathematics, business, finance, economics, or computer science or another related field.
OR
I have a Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement as described in the announcement.
OR
I have an equivalent combination of education and specialized experience, that together meet 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

To meet the Post-Secondary Intern Eligibility requirements, you must be currently enrolled in, or accepted for enrollment in and pursuing a baccalaureate or graduate degree on at least a part-time bases as determined by the academic institution.

All education must be obtained at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants may verify accreditation at the following website: Accreditation. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by OPM accordingly.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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.

Education

Additional information

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration).

CONVERSION ELIGIBILITY:
Post-Secondary Interns may be converted, without a break in service, to a career or career conditional appointment upon completion of program requirements.
To be eligible for conversion, Interns must:

Complete at least 640 hours of continuous employment
Complete their degree or certificate requirements
Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Intern will be converted
Meets time-in-grade requirements for which the intern will be converted
Perform their job successfully

In order to be converted to a permanent position in the 1510 Actuarial Science Series, applicants must meet the basic education requirement: A bachelor's degree that included courses in actuarial science, mathematics, relevant statistics, business, finance, economics, insurance, or computer science totaling at least 24 semester hours. This course work must have included a minimum of 12 semester hours of mathematics that included differential and integral calculus and one or more courses in mathematics for which these calculus courses were prerequisites.

Temporary appointments do not have promotion eligibility as an intern.

Post-Secondary Interns may be appointed to temporary or term appointment in the competitive service. Temporary appointments are expected to last less than a year and may be extended for a maximum of 2 years. Term appointments are expected to last more than 1 year not to exceed 4 years. The type of appointment is determined by the amount of education remaining for the degree completion.

Temporary or term appointments under this hiring authority may be non-competitively converted to a career or career-conditional appointment within 120 days of successfully completing the qualifying academic program.

If converted to a permanent appointment, you may be converted at any grade level up to the full performance level of GS-14; however, the target position and full performance level may change based on the need of the organization at that time. Post-Secondary Interns must meet the qualification requirements for the position to which converted.

Extensions of Appointment: The maximum extension period is 120-days upon completion of the coursework requirements or conferral date of the degree.

If you are unable to apply online and would like to request information about the Alternate Application process, please use the contact information at the bottom of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 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 probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

Once the application process is complete, your resume will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement.

Qualified applicants will be placed in one category grouping for referral.

Required Documents

1. Your Resume showing the applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, and duties performed to include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. Only the first 2 pages of the resume/application will be used to verify minimum qualifications. Please be sure to include specific dates of employment and work schedule(s).

2. Transcripts and Proof of Enrollment:

You are required to submit a copy of your transcripts and proof of enrollment.
We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain your name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned.
Official transcripts will be required prior to final offer of employment
If you have been accepted for enrollment in an institution, but have not yet begun coursework, you must submit an Acceptance Letter from the institution and your most recent academic transcript from your previous program.

An incomplete package may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

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.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST)on 07/23/2026 to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.

You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account and select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

You may preview the assessment questionnaire by clicking here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12988826

Agency contact information

OPM Human Resources

Phone: 202-606-9321
Email: jobs@opm.gov

Address: OPM Human Resources
1900 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20415
US

Next steps

The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job, and all qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. Your ratings in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents and references you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency during the probationary period.

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application.

We expect to make a job offer within 40 days after the closing date of the announcement. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

An agency may not request, orally, in writing, or electronically through the USA Jobs website or other electronic means, that an applicant for appointment for a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information before the appointing agency extends a conditional offer of employment. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit https://www.opm.gov/about-us/careers-at-opm/opportunities/

Student Trainee (Actuarial Science) Job in Washington, DC