Student Trainee (Management and Program Analysis)

Summary

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. We accomplish our mission by providing objective and reliable information and analysis to the Congress, to federal agencies, and to the public, and recommending improvements, when appropriate, on a wide variety of issues to make government work better. This vacancy is for Fall internship positions.

The anticipated start dates begin in August 2026.

Duties

• As a GAO Graduate Intern (Management and Program Analysis), you will work within one of GAO's Chief Administrative Offices or Staff Office to increase your knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• The work assignments may involve any of the following tasks: Works on assigned, structured segments of projects Uses analytical techniques collect, research, and develop data-based findings and conclusions related to projects.
• Participates in providing recommendations for alternative solutions for problems targeted by projects.
• Uses office automation software to produce and prepare various materials such as spreadsheets, plans, procedures, memoranda, letters, charts, databases, and presentations Edits or drafts documents to ensure accuracy and clarity and correct formatting, grammar, and spelling for inter-office written products.
• Contributes to team efforts through participation in activities/meetings, soliciting and listening to others' opinions, and working collaboratively to accomplish team goals.
• We have 16 operations and staff offices that work to support the agency's mission teams and Executive Committee, Congress, and the American people.
• For detailed information regarding the Operational and Staff offices at GAO, please click here.
• Note: At the time of application, you will be provided with additional descriptors of the specific offices that are seeking student trainees positions.
• Please review each descriptions before making your desired selection.
• Office preferences are not guaranteed.
• This position is a temporary excepted service appointment, Not-To- Exceed (NTE) for one year with the possibility of being extended for an addition year.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen. Must be at be at least 16 years of age. Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).

Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment. Must provide all transcripts/proof of enrollment/acceptance, and/or current class schedule in an accredited degree program throughout the duration of the internship. You MUST complete a minimum of 400 hours to be considered for conversion after your degree has been conferred.

Education

All applicants must submit their academic transcripts in order to be eligible. The transcripts may be unofficial or official and must show your status as a student, as well as support your educational claim. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog

How You Will Be Evaluated

The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job. If you meet all of the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran’s preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. All applicants will be rated based on their responses to the assessment questions and the essay question.

Please make sure that your responses to the assessment questions are supported in your resume. Follow all instructions carefully as incomplete answers, errors, or omissions may affect your rating. Your rating will be invalid if you fail to include a narrative reply to any assessment question(s) that requires further explanation or your reply is “see resume.” Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Oral Communication Research Self-Management Teamwork Writing Veterans’ preference applies to this vacancy. The Category Rating Process does not add veterans’ preference points or apply the “rule of three” but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

For more information regarding veterans’ preference please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/ To preview vacancy: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12982777

Required Documents

• All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m.
• Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
• Resume – must be no more than two pages in length; resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
• Resume should include applicants' name, email address, phone number, relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training.
• Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year), work schedule (e.g. part or full-time), the number of hours per week worked/volunteered, job title and description of duties performed.
• Education/Certification/Licensure when relevant or required for position.
• See Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume and visit the USAJOBS Help Center for more information.
• Transcripts, if applicable and you are qualifying based on education.
• See the Qualification and Education sections of this announcement for more information.
• If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment.
• Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable: The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category.
• Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent or higher will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).
• To claim 5-point preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
• To claim 10-point preference, submit the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) AND all required documentation outlined on the form to support your claim (e.g., DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, etc.).
• If we cannot verify your 10-point preference claim, your application will be reviewed for 5-point preference.
• To claim 10-point derived preference (i.e., spouses, widows, widowers or mothers of veterans), submit a completed SF-15 andall required documentation listed on the SF-15 to support your claim.
• To claim 0-point Sole Survivorship preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 or another form of official documentation showing that your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008 and was based on a sole survivorship discharge.
• For all preference claims: DD-214 must show the dates of service, type of discharge, and any qualifying service campaign medals.
• If you are currently on active duty and applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must provide a certification on letterhead from your military branch which contains your military service dates, expected date of discharge or release, and the character of service to show that your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
• The expected date of discharge or release must be no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted for consideration for this vacancy announcement.
• For more veterans' preference information, visit the USAJOBS Help Center. 4.
• Other Qualification Documentation (e.g. certificates, certifications, etc.), if applicable.
• See the Qualification section of this announcement for more information.