The Pathways Internship program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in civil service.

Open to current students enrolled at least half-time or accepted for enrollment in an accredited college or university in a variety of programs:
•    High-school/GED
•    Vocational
•    Technical
•    Undergraduate
•    Graduate
•    Professional

Prospective candidates must:
•    Be a U.S. citizen.
•    Be enrolled at least half-time as defined by the education institution (typically six hours or equivalent for undergraduate and three hours or equivalent for graduate).
•    Maintain good academic standing; generally, at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA for undergraduate programs and a 3.0 GPA for graduate programs, on a 4.0 grading scale.
•    Meet the qualification standards (e.g., series and grade) of the position.
•    Be at least 16 years of age.
•    Sign a Pathways Internship Program Participant Agreement; furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and provide verification of academic status (transcript) at the end of each academic term.

Please note, relocation expenses will not be provided.

Interested candidates can visit USAjobs.gov and search for “NHTSA Intern Program” or “NHTSA Pathways Student Intern” for openings. 
 

• Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
• Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply.

• The Recent Graduates Program is administered primarily by each hiring agency.
• Each agency must sign a Participant Agreement with the recent graduate that sets forth the expectations for the program.
• Agencies provide OPM with information regarding their opportunities and post information publicly on USAJOBS (external link) about how to apply for specific positions.

• Orientation program for recent graduates hired for the program.
• Mentorship throughout the program.
• Individual Development Plan to create and track recent graduates' career planning, professional development, and training activities.
• At least 40 hours of formal, interactive training each year of the program.
• Opportunities for career advancement.

• Recent graduates may be converted to a permanent position (or, in some limited circumstances, a term appointment lasting 1-4 years).
• To be eligible for conversion, recent graduates must have:
  • Successfully completed at least one year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the Program.
  • Demonstrated successful job performance.
  • Met the qualifications for the position to which the recent graduate will be converted.

• Individuals who have completed within the past two years, a qualifying advanced degree (e.g., masters or professional degree) or who will meet advanced degree requirements by August 31 of the year following the annual application announcement.
• An individual may apply for the PMF Program more than once as long as he or she meets the eligibility criteria. However, if an individual becomes a finalist and subsequently applies for the PMF Program during the next open announcement, the individual will forfeit his or her status as a finalist.

• The PMF Program is centrally administered by the PMF Program Office within OPM.
• OPM announces the opportunity to apply for the PMF Program (usually in the late summer or early fall) on the PMF and USAJOBS websites.
• Applicants go through a rigorous assessment process to determine finalists.
• OPM selects finalists based on an evaluation of each candidate's experience and accomplishments according to his or her application and results of the assessments.
• OPM publishes and provides agencies with the list of finalists.
• Agencies provide OPM with information about their PMF opportunities and can post PMF appointment opportunities for those who are finalists on the PMF website year-round. In addition, a job fair is typically held for finalists each year.
• Finalists who obtain an appointment as a PMF serve in a two-year excepted service position.

• The PMF Program Office provides newly hired PMFs an opportunity to participate in its Orientation and Training Program.
• Senior-level mentorship throughout the program.
• Individual Development Plan to create and track a PMF's career planning, professional development, and training activities.
• Developmental opportunities in the occupation or functional discipline the PMF would most likely be placed.
• At least 80 hours of formal, interactive training each year of the program, for a total of 160 hours.
• PMFs are placed on a performance plan and must obtain a successful rating each year.

• After successful Program completion and job performance, the PMF may be converted to a permanent position (or, in some limited circumstances, a term appointment lasting 1-4 years) in the competitive service.