U.S. Department of Transportation
Technology and Transportation Futures
Program
"Educating Tomorrow's Transportation Workforce."
SPECIAL PROGRAMS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
WHILE STILL IN SCHOOL
This DOT program offers qualified undergraduates a 10-week introduction to the many aspects of the transportation field. Participants work at a selected transportation agency in Washington D.C., visit several transportation facilities in the metropolitan area, discuss current transportation issues with key officials, and collect data for an individual report related to their specific work assignments. The Summer Transportation Internship Program is sponsored by FHWA, FRA, FTA and RSPA. Additional information is available through FHWA's Personnel Operations Division.
This Federal program is designed to provide Federal employment for financially need high-school, technical or vocational school, or undergraduate students. STEP students work part-time while school is in session and full-time during summer and school breaks so that they can "earn as they learn." STEP is sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Additional information is available through local Sate Employment Service offices and the personnel offices of all Federal agencies.
This Federal program is a career-related work and study program for qualified graduating high school seniors. Junior Fellows earn money and professional experience by working in a Federal position closely related to their career goals. The Federal Junior Fellowship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Additional information is available through local OPM Area Offices and the personnel offices of all Federal agencies.
This Federal program offers temporary employment for high school, technical or vocational, or undergraduate students who can work only during the summer months to earn money to return to school. Participants work full-time from May to September performing a wide range of tasks including office support and trade and labor jobs. The Summer Employment Program is sponsored by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Additional information is available through local OPM Area Offices and the personnel offices of all Federal agencies.
Students must be placed in positions where they receive work experience related to their academic/career goals. Appointments are not limited to one year: they may be for as long as the student is in school. After completion of at least 640 hours of career-related work and completion of academic program, students may be converted to a permanent Federal position without further competition.
Kinds of Positions: Any position for which qualified, provided the experience is directly related to the student's educational program and career goals.
Grade Level(s): GS-1 through GS-7 (or wage grade equivalents)
Educational Level: High school through graduate school, including vocational/technical schools.
Benefits: Receive annual and sick leave; generally covered by retirement; often eligible for health benefits.
There are 5 primary ways that we hire students permanently after they graduate:
A. REGULAR COMPETITIVE APPOINTMENTS
Graduating students must apply for any positions advertised under Government-wide regulations, compete with other applicants, and be rated among the best qualified. Positions filled this way are subject to veterans preference requirements and priority placement programs for surplus/displaced employees.
B. CONVERSION FROM STUDENT CAREER EXPERIENCE APPOINTMENTS
Students may be converted directly from student appointments to permanent appointments with competition with other applicants. Veterans preference and priority placement programs do NOT apply. Conversion must occur with 120 days of completion of educational requirements for degree diploma/certificate.
C. OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR APPOINTMENTS
College graduates with an undergraduate GPA of 3.45 or higher may be appointed to most entry-level positions (notable exceptions: engineering, accounting, mathematics, physical and biological sciences) at GS-5 or GS-7 without competition with other applicants. However, priority placement programs for surplus/displaced employees apply.
D. PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT INTERN PROGRAM
This is a special program for graduates with advanced degrees. Applicants are screened by OPM, and agencies make selections from that applicant pool. PMIs receive 2-year appointments in the excepted service, at the GS-9 level, and are expected to be converted (without further competition) to permanent positions at the end of the second year. Veterans preference and priority placement programs do NOT apply.
E. EXCEPTED SERVICE APPOINTING AUTHORITIES
Agencies have special appointing authorities designed to increase employment opportunities for certain categories of individuals. Most frequently used are special authorities for veterans under the Veterans Readjustment Appointment authority, and special authorities for appointing the disabled. Under these authorities employees receive initial appointments in the excepted service, and may be converted to permanent positions without further competition after demonstrating successful performance. Veterans preference and priority placement programs do NOT apply.