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1DOT Internship Program (Pathways)
Summary
The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is seeking student leaders interested in strategic communications and majoring in public relations, marketing, business, or advertising. This appointment is not-to-exceed September 19, 2026, and may be extended without further competition to a new temporary appointment at management’s discretion and provided the employee remains eligible for employment in the Pathways Intern Program. Internships are expected to begin in June 2026.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Students
Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. This position is part of the Pathways Program and is open to current students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational institution and enrolled at least half-time. Additional information can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets
Duties
USMMA is hiring interns who will be responsible for:
- Brainstorming ideas for the Academy’s external communications content calendar.
- Capturing video and photographic content for the Academy’s social media platforms.
- Editing photos and videos using Adobe products, Canva, etc.
- Drafting external communication for the Academy website.
- Tracking mentions of the Academy in local and national news.
The ideal candidate is a creative storyteller and proactive communicator who possesses a strong foundation in modern digital marketing and public relations. We are seeking a student leader who not only has experience in content creation using tools like Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, but also is a strong writer. Successfulcandidates will demonstrate an ability to translate the Academy's unique mission into compelling social media and web content that will help recruit midshipmen and educate the American public on the vital role of USMMA. They should be detail-oriented, creative and a self-starter. Candidates must also be committed to representing the Merchant Marine Academy with professionalism and integrity. 1DOT Internship Program is designed to provide interns an opportunity to broaden their perspectives on issues facing government. Interns will work within the United States Merchant Marine (Academy) and support higher- level management in coordinating, facilitating, and implementing activities within the office to which they are assigned; and be exposed to and participate in activities, innovations, and challenges facing the Transportation Industry. The individual series are listed below for your reference and information to include the applicable qualification standard:
- 1099 - Information and Arts, Public Affairs, Writer/Editor, Social Media, Communications, and Visual Information.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen and meet the requirements of the program.
- You must be at least 16 years of age
- Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
- Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
- Applicable documents are required for the Mandatory Education requirements.
- SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
- DECLARATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT: Selectee is required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine suitability for federal employment.
- BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
- TRIAL PERIOD: The intern is in a trial period throughout the entire Pathways Internship appointment.
- WORK SCHEDULE: Intern should be able to work at least 40 hours per week during summer.
- PHYSICAL LOCATION: The intern will be required to report to the designated onsite location as identified upon selection.
For more information on the Pathways Program, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the education requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration by the closing date of this announcement. You must be continuing your education during the entire course of the internship program.
- GS-3 - Completion of 1 academic year of post-high school study.
- GS-4 - Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or an associate’s degree.
- GS-5 - Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree.
- GS-7 - Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education; or Eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and completion of a bachelor's degree.
- Superior Academic Achievement - In the upper one-third of graduating class; OR a GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0, as recorded on official transcript, or based on courses completed during final 2 years of curriculum; OR a GPA of 3.5 or higher out of 4.0, based on average of required courses completed in major or required courses in major completed the final 2 years of curriculum.
This Internship has an education requirement.
Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required prior to a final offer of employment. You may use 2026 in-progress semester/quarter hours to qualify for a higher grade level. Qualifications will be determined based on completed and in-progress hours stated on your unofficial transcript submitted at the time of application and verified upon receipt of your official transcript before your onboarding date.
You must provide updated transcripts that show any/all degrees conferred, current grades and registration with cumulative GPA to support your educational claims (acceptance letter is also required if applicable to current academic status). Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - click here. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
- Knowledge of subject area typically provided by college-level courses sufficient to perform a variety of assignments to broaden skills and gain practical experience.
- Ability to assist higher graded teammates in developing material for briefings, reports, presentations and conference materials.
- Ability to participate in meetings, events, and briefings.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- You must be a student currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited college, trade school, and other qualifying educational institution for the Fall 2026-2027 academic year;
- Degree must be related to the position.
- Enrollment must be at least half-time course load as defined by the higher education institution (typically six hours or equivalent for undergraduate and three hours or equivalent for graduate).
This is an Excepted Service appointment on a temporary basis.
This is a temporary internship to complete project work that is temporary in nature. The appointment is not-to-exceed September 19, 2026. The temporary appointment can be extended to a new temporary appointment at management’s discretion based on the need of the organization for the work to continue and provided the employee remains eligible for employment in the Pathways Intern Program.
Conversion to the Competitive Service: Upon successful completion of all Pathways Internship Program requirements and the student’s academic program, the intern may be noncompetitively converted within 180 days, without a break in service, to a term (time-limited), career-conditional, or career appointment in the federal government with a GS-12 Full performance Level (FPL) provided the student has worked at least 480 hours in an appropriate program, has met qualification and time to hire requirements, and has received a favorable recommendation for retention.
Please note that conversion is not guaranteed and is subject to the needs of the agency, available funding, and satisfactory performance. Grade level upon conversion will be determined by management and qualifications.
Refer to the Qualifications and Requirements section for information pertaining to the Pathways Internship Program.
For additional information about applying to Federal Pathways Internship Positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PIP
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Additional information
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
For more information on the Pathways Program, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets
PATHWAYS ELIGIBILITY:
- You must be a student currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited college, trade school, or other qualifying educational institution for the Fall 2026-2027 academic year on a half to full-time basis (as determined by the educational institution).
- Students graduating in the upcoming Spring and/or Summer 2026 semester or earlier must provide proof of continued education in the next semester/quarter in a qualified degree program (e.g. letter of application or acceptance, etc.) with their application or will be disqualified from further consideration.
- Interns may work full-time during the summer and a flexible part-time work schedule during the school year (based on agency needs) while continuing their education.
- Enrollment must be at least half-time course load as defined by the higher education institution (typically six hours or equivalent for undergraduate and three hours or equivalent for graduate).
- Be seeking a degree that is relevant to the position selected for.
- Qualification requirements (education) for each grade level applied to must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
- Eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
If selected you:
- Must maintain status as a current student AND maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA;
- Must furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and
- Must provide verification of academic status (transcript) at the end of each academic term or upon agency request.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window-Learn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
DESCRIBING YOUR EDUCATION: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EDUCATION. If your application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your application must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level.
Once you complete and submit your application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the job. Qualified students will be referred to the hiring manager in unranked order by veteran preference status: (1) Preference eligible having a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more; (2) all other candidates eligible for 10-point veteran preference; (3) candidates eligible for 5-point veteran preference; and (4) candidates not eligible for veteran preference.
You will not be considered for the position if any part of the application or supporting documentation is incomplete. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or adverse action after hiring.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
The following is a list of documents that are only required based on the type of position and consideration for which you are applying. Please review each of the following sections to determine which, if any, additional documents you need to provide with your application.
Completed Questionnaire.
Transcripts and/or Enrollment Verification is REQUIRED.
- Transcript: The transcript may be an unofficial transcript at the time of application but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements. However, you will need to provide an official transcript before you are given a final job offer.
- Acceptance Letter of Enrollment: A letter from the educational institution that confirms the following: The degree/diploma program in which you have been accepted and that you will be enrolled at least on a half-time basis. Required from all applicants who need to verify enrollment per the stated education requirements.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have
submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your
application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
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 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 the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the vacancy will result in your removal from consideration for this position. Please review your application prior to final submission and ensure you have submitted all appropriate documents. Uploading documents to USAJobs does NOT ensure inclusion with your application to our system. You must verify that the documents are in the system with your application prior to final submission.
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
You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.
- To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting.
- Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
- You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/
If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at Transjobs@dot.gov.
Agency contact information
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Next steps
Once the application process is completed in its entirety, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualifications. Qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews.
If you are selected for an interview, the hiring agency will contact you directly. Once the position is filled, we will notify all applicants of their final status.
Overview
- 1099 Information And Arts Student Trainee
- Suitability/Fitness
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