Student Trainee (Social Science) (Start ASAP)

About the United States Department of Commerce

The United States Department of Commerce fosters economic growth, and technological advancement. It oversees trade, business, and industry, collecting data to inform policy decisions and supporting American businesses to thrive domestically and internationally.

Your role

Duties:

This position is located within the Department of Commerce (DOC), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), Office of the Chief Network and Technology Officer, located either in Reston, VA or Boulder, CO. This is a summer internship, not-to-exceed 90 days.

At the full performance level (ZP-1) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Collaborating with FirstNet Authority team members and public safety to design physical and/or virtual/extension broadband experiences for the Experience FirstNet Program and the FirstNet Experience Center.
• Supporting Product and Partnership Development team members by compiling market research, public safety case study data, and other input sources (e.g., survey data, etc.) and developing that data into strategic and/or product roadmap considerations and, utilization of AI and visualization tools to automate review, validation, analysis, and showing of data. Provide support to technical and FirstNet mission-specific conferences or engagements.
• Considering public safety operational use cases and helping to research, evaluate, and potentially integrate existing solutions from the broader technology ecosystem into viable solution considerations for interested agencies.

Training & development

Intern training at the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority), under the US Department of Commerce, involves hands-on experiences in telecommunications, public safety technology, and emergency response systems. Interns gain practical skills, engage in projects, and contribute to developing critical infrastructure for first responders nationwide.

Salary & benefits

The student stipend for the role can range from $34,121 - $65,425 per annum. 

If you join as a full-time employee, you will get the following benefits:

• Telework
  • Flexible work schedules
• Paid parental leave
• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Child and elder-care resources
• On-site childcare center
• Lactation spaces
• Wellness programs
• Fitness center
• Employee assistance programs
• Long-term care insurance.

Career progression

Interns at the US Department of Commerce have access to mentorship, training, and networking opportunities that can pave the way for career advancement. Successful completion of internships may lead to full-time employment offers or serve as valuable experience for pursuing future opportunities within the department or related fields.

Work-life balance

Intern work-life balance in the US Department of Commerce varies depending on the specific role and department. However, efforts are typically made to ensure interns have manageable workloads, opportunities for professional development, and time for personal pursuits outside of work hours.

Culture & vibe

The culture of the US Department of Commerce emphasizes professionalism, collaboration, and public service. It values diversity and inclusion, fosters innovation, and encourages employees to uphold ethical standards. Teamwork, integrity and a commitment to supporting American businesses and communities are central to its ethos.

About you

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
• You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
• You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
• Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. 
• Financial Disclosure: If you are hired, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days after appointment.

Qualifications:

Pathways Internship Eligibility

To be eligible for this internship all of the following requirements must be met:

• You must be at least 16 years of age
• You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program at a qualifying educational institution on a full or part-time basis.
• If enrolled, you must be in good academic standing (At least a 2.0 GPA)
• You must provide a transcript (official or unofficial) and proof of enrollment/acceptance.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• To qualify at the ZP-1 or GS-01 level: Enrollment in a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) program.

Note: You must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout your appointment under the Pathways Internship Program.

Education:

If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide transcripts as proof of meeting the requirements.

Sources

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• intern.usajobs.gov/job
• help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/benefits
• youtube.com