Duties

The selected candidate will serve as a Student Volunteer with the Department of Labor and would be placed within one of Department of Labor’s offices or agencies based on skills and interests. The student would report to a supervisor within their host Agency, but would have opportunity to engage in DOL-wide meetings or events, as available, to gain exposure to the broad set of issues and policies that the Department of Labor reaches under its mission. The student will gain experience working with career and non-career executives, managers, and employees who are committed to advancing the welfare of wage earners, job seekers, and retirees across the United States; improving working conditions; advancing opportunities for workforce development and training; and assuring work-related benefits and rights. The student will assist on a wide variety of administrative, planning and research activities regarding the development, implementation, and evaluation of organizational policies and priorities. The student must either receive a stipend from an outside academic institution (at the rate of at least $15.00/hour), or receive academic credit, consistent with the Department’s policies regarding student volunteers. The hours worked per week and length of assignment can be flexible and determined between the student and supervisor so long as they meet the Department’s time and earning policies, but can be 40 hours per week at a maximum over the course of an 8-10-week student assignment.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Assist in the review and development of memos, supporting documents, or presentations to support Agency leadership or staff in guiding the strategic planning for the accomplishment of Department’s mission, goals, and objectives.
• Conduct research, prepare and review written documentation, including research summaries, stakeholder meeting notes, or other communications for Agency leadership.
• Work with the Department’s senior career and non-career staff to collect information and other materials to brief leaders for upcoming meetings and events that may require the attendance of senior political leadership, the Secretary, or other high-level Departmental officials.
• May work on a variety of special, nonrecurring, and recurring assignments that are sensitive, confidential, or of a policy-making nature.
• As appropriate, analyze program trends and make recommendations to improve operations and/or effectiveness.
• On occasion as appropriate, manage casework or other administrative duties for the Agency.
• Meet with Department staff to learn about specific policy issues or Administration priorities, and attend briefings and events across the Department.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• This opportunity is open to U.S. Citizens living within the United States.
• Must be at least 16 years of age
• Successfully complete Pre-Employment Background Investigation
• Must be actively enrolled at least part-time in an accredited institution
• This is a student volunteer (unpaid) opportunity
• Relocation and housing expenses are paid by the student

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and must not require sponsorship for employment visa status now or in the future (e.g. H1-B status).
• A minimum GPA of 2.0 cumulative at an accredited college education program.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) is preferred.
• Strong project management skills, excellent communication, presentation skills, and leadership qualities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives while maintaining a strong sense of urgency.
• The work schedule and hours of work are flexible with approval of the supervisor. The program will run 8-10 weeks with adjustments as needed.
• Ability to work effectively in a virtual work setting.
• An interest in public administration, public policy, political science, labor management relations, employment benefits, workforce development and training, occupational safety and health, or related fields of study.

Before a student may begin volunteer service, written permission must be obtained from an appropriate official of the educational institution in which the student is enrolled. The student, educational institution, and DOL must complete and sign DOL's form DL1-6082 Student Volunteer Agreement.

The student's hours of work and work schedule may be negotiated with the DOL supervisor, but may not exceed 40 hours per week.

Notification Concerning COVID-19 Vaccinations. Student Volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the student's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to show documentation of proof of vaccination or to be in the process of requesting an exception to the vaccination requirement before being onboarded with the agency as a student volunteer. You will need to complete a self-certification form regarding your vaccination status prior to coming on-board. If applicable, you will need to show your proof of vaccination within the first three business days of working at DOL. Please do not submit your proof of vaccination with your application. You will be contacted, if selected, with instructions for submitting your vaccination information.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  A Student Volunteer is not a Federal employee for any purposes other than injury compensation and laws relating to the Federal Tort Claims Acts. Service as a Student Volunteer is not creditable for leave or any other employee benefits.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 P.M. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the second submission will OVERWRITE the first submission. Also, do not upload password protected documents.
  
  The following documents are required fromALL applicants:

  • Cover Letter - One page or less; the cover letter should briefly describe how the assignment will enhance the student’s educational experience.

  • Resume

  • Current Transcript (Unofficial is acceptable) or College Letter of Acceptance

  • Note: The selected candidate will be required to complete a Student Volunteer Agreement prior to establishing a start date of the assignment. This agreement will outline the terms of the assignment, job description, minimum of $15 p/hr. stipend requirement and other pertinent information. In addition, the selected candidate will need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment Form, OF-306, and successfully complete a background investigation so that the student will be granted access to DOL systems and facilities, as appropriate.

  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 initial online application, including submission of the required documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section.

  Follow the steps below to apply. Your application and ALL required supplemental documents MUST be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date to receive consideration. Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Click here for information on Reasonable Accommodations.

  SAVE your information before the 30 MINUTE TIMEOUT! For help, go to USAJOBS Help Center.

  STEP 1 - Create USAJOBS Account on www.usajobs.gov, including Resume and Saved Documents Your resume must provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses to the self-assessment vacancy questions. If not, HR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the competency indicated by resume content. FOR EACH EMPLOYMENT PERIOD, include: start/end month & year and note full-time or part-time (if part-time, include # of hours worked per week); otherwise, your application may be considered incomplete.

  STEP 2 - Complete the 1st part of the application process (USAJOBS) Once you have identified a job on USAJOBS that you wish to apply for, click on the title and click the "Apply" button. For questions about the vacancy, contact the Agency Contact at the bottom of the announcement. Click “Start Application” and proceed through the 5 steps noted at the top of the USAJOBS page. You will be able to select a resume and documents from your USAJOBS Account that you can submit as a package as part of your DOL application. At Step 5, click “Continue to Agency Site”.

  STEP 3 – Complete the 2nd part of the application process (DOL) On the Department of Labor (DOL) page, create a DOL Account if you have not already and click “APPLY TO THIS VACANCY”. Continue through the 7 progress steps indicated by circles at the top of the DOL page. The 3rd progress step is where you answer the vacancy specific questions. The 4th progress step "Documents" is where you submit required documents (only if applicable to you) specified in the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy. If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission.

  STEP 4 – On the “Review and Submit” step, click “Submit Application” The last “Confirmation” step will turn green noting that your application was submitted successfully.

  STEP 5 - Edit Application as needed by 11:59 pm ET of Closing Date by returning to USAJOBS, clicking the vacancy, then “Update Application”.

  Agency contact information

  Marisela Rosales

  Phone

  972-850-4439

  TDD

  877-889-5627

  Email

  rosales.marisela@dol.gov

  Address

  Labor, Office of Secretary of Labor
  200 Constitution Ave., NW
  Washington, District of Columbia 20210
  United States

  Next steps

  Complete applications will be reviewed to make sure all student volunteer program criteria are met. Selections are based on academic achievement, area of study, experience, and completeness and professionalism of the application package.
  
  Eligible students will be contacted for interviews based on expected work projects and available opportunities.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

Students currently enrolled, at least half-time, in an accredited: • Junior or community college; • Four-year college or university; or • Any other accredited educational institution.