Federal Student Employment Programs
Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)
STEP provides part-time federal jobs to students that can last as little as one summer or as long as the duration of your college career. STEP positions are paid. The work does not have to be related to your field of study, allowing you to gain experience in other fields.
To be eligible you must be in high school, college, vocational school, or graduate school. In addition, you must be a U.S. citizen or national in most cases. However, if the hiring agency’s appropriation act permits non-citizen employees, and you are eligible to work under U.S. immigration laws, you can participate in the program. Also, make sure to check with an agency about whether they participate in the STEP program because they don't have to list these positions on usajobs.gov.
For more information visit: www.opm.gov/employ/students/intro.asp.
Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
SCEP allows you to gain experience working for the government in a job related to your field of study. Most positions are paid and some also provide academic credit towards your degree.
To participate in SCEP, the hiring agency must have a formal agreement with your educational institution. SCEP positions are available to undergraduate and graduate students. You must be a U.S. citizen or national in most cases. However, if the hiring agency’s appropriation act permits non-citizen employees, and you are eligible to work under U.S. immigration laws, you can participate in the program.
If you successfully complete 640 hours of work within the SCEP program, you are eligible to be hired to a permanent position without going through the traditional hiring process. Recent additions to the program allow agencies to waive up to half of the required 640 hours for students with certain job-related experience acquired in a structured work-study program, active duty military service or if you have have exceptional job performance and academic excellence (3.5 GPA out of a 4.0 scale, standing in the top 10% of the graduating class and/or induction into a nationally recognized scholastic honors society) while enrolled in the program.
For more information, visit www.opm.gov/employ/students/intro.asp.
Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP)
The FCIP is a two year entry level appointment designed to bring talented people into the federal government through a streamlined process. Applicants should apply directly to the federal agency using usajobs.gov or searching on the specific agency's Web site. There is no nominating process for the program. Agencies set individual deadlines for their positions. Positions may be available throughout the year. See the Federal Career Intern Program Directory located in the right column for a list of some FCIPs.
Agencies design their own FCIP but all FCIP participants will receive training. After two years, federal career interns can become permanent civil service employees. Individuals hired through a FCIP may begin at the GS-5, GS-7 and GS-9 levels. There is no limitation on promotion potential.
For more information about the Federal Career Intern Program visit: www.opm.gov/careerintern/index.asp.
Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF)
The Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF) is a prestigious two year program which is designed to prepare you for upper-level management positions in the federal government. You must be in your final year of a graduate program and must receive a nomination from your school before being considered for the PMF program.
Important note: PMF application deadlines are in the fall!
PMF programs are structured by individual agencies, however, all PMFs will receive training opportunities and developmental assignments (either within the agency or to another agency or branch of the government). PMFs can be appointed at the GS-9,10 or 12 levels. Depending on agency policies, PMFs may be eligible for rapid annual or accelerated promotions up to GS-13 during the program. After two years, PMFs are eligible for conversion to permanent positions.
In 2007, 792 students were selected for the PMF Program.
In previous years, the agencies that have employed the most PMF finalists have been:
- Department of Justice
- Department of State
- Department of Health and Human Services
- U.S. Agency for International Development
- Department of Defense
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Homeland Security
For more information about the Presidential Management Fellows Program visit: www.pmf.opm.gov.