Clarification from the agency

The CFTC is currently accepting applications from students currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in pursuit of a four-year undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree (e.g., Masters/Ph.D. Program).

The CFTC offers substantive work that gives interns an opportunity to demonstrate their skills through work experience.

Interns may be placed in one of our Mission Support Offices.  Duties may include:

• Perform various analytical assignments supporting special or ongoing projects, assist senior staff in consolidating data to prepare reports, and review and analyze dashboard/program activities.
• Develop and coordinate a variety of reports, actions, and correspondence applying concepts, principles, practices, and procedures of administrative actions and program analysis.
• Collect, research, and develop data-based findings and conclusions.
• Use automated tools to process and track requests. Identify feasible work management approaches that address required activities and timelines.
• Collect relevant information that is aligned with objectives and meets the goals.
• Conduct analyses aligned with tasks, identifies relevant information, patterns/inconsistencies, trends/relationships, interdependencies, and potential implications.
• Collaborate with Analysts/Specialists and other team members to address issues and/or concerns and will follow up to ensure needs are met.
• Contribute to team efforts through participation in activities/meetings, solicit and listen to others' opinions, and work collaboratively to accomplish team goals.
• Use office automation software to produce and prepare various materials, such as spreadsheets, plans, procedures, memoranda, letters, charts, databases, and presentations.
• Perform segments of the full range of budget, accounting, and finance administration work done in the organization.
• Obtain, compile, and summarize narrative information and quantitative data for use by others within an office.
• Provide administrative support to Human Resources, Financial Management, or Business Operations, or other administrative areas.
• Assist in purchase requisitions and travel requests.
• Marketing duties may include photography, video production, social media strategies, graphic design, promotions and print production.
• Other programs available and dependent on student's academic goals.

Conditions of employment

• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by background investigation.
• Actively enrolled (at least part-time) in an accredited college/university.
• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.

To be eligible for this volunteer internship, all of the following requirements must be met.

• You MUST submit academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the eligibility requirements. (Unofficial is acceptable)

If you do not submit sufficient academic documentation necessary to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete, and you will be ineligible. A completed application will only be accepted via USAJobs.  Applications will not be accepted via email.

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year and indicate number of hours worked per week on your resume.”

Key Requirements:

1. Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
2. Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.

Starting on September 27, 2025, federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length. Learn more about the new resume requirements. 

Qualifications

To meet the Student Volunteer requirements, you must be a student accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, degree) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled).

Applicants should have strong written, research and oral communication skills are required. Strong ability with programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required.

All Education must be accredited by 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.

***All requirements must be met by the day you enter duty***

***All applications must be received via www.usajobs.gov***

How you will be evaluated

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

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

Your application includes your:

• Responses to the online questionnaire 
• Resume
• Current transcripts showing enrollment (REQUIRED - an unofficial transcript is acceptable)
• Writing sample could be required prior to interviews 

NOTE: You must maintain student eligibility and enrollment for the duration of the internship. If you cannot, you are ineligible for this program. Please review the "QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED" section of this vacancy announcement to ensure that you qualify for this internship.

A complete application includes 1. A résumé, 2. Vacancy question responses, and 3. Submission of any required documents. Please note - If you do not submit sufficient academic documentation necessary to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete, and you will be ineligible.

You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses showing title, number of credits, and grade (if applicable) from an accredited college or university verifying proof of enrollment.

Both official AND unofficial transcripts are acceptable as part of the application process. However, if you are selected, you will be required to provide an official transcript before you report to work.

You must be attending a school than is an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which these criteria, please refer to www.ed.gov.

If you are eligible based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency; more information may be found http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e4.asp#e4a. We recommend you get this process started as soon as possible to avoid delays in appointment if selected.

Next steps