US Department of Energy Career Intern Program is a 2-year career-entry and development program aimed at hiring entry-level employees into scientific, technical and business occupations in GS 5-9 grade levels within the Department of Energy. Participants receive: a comprehensive individual development plan with features acquiring job-related certifications, formal classroom and online training, and mentorship by renowned government leaders; rotational job assignments with opportunities to travel across the United States and possibly internationally; possible $5,000 to $7,000 Recruitment Signing Bonuses and up to $10,000 per year for student loan repayment; accelerated promotions and the opportunity to advance quickly within the organization and a comprehensive federal benefits package.
Why have a DOE Career Intern Program?
The DOE Career Intern Program (CIP) is a developmental program to rebuild the department’s business and technical workforce by attracting exceptional individuals into a variety of occupations. The program addresses issues associated with an aging workforce (less than 9% of DOE’s Federal Workforce is under the age of 35 – less than 7% in the technical arenas). It builds a pipeline for the future (DOE has a skills imbalance and the pipeline of future scientist, engineers, contract managers, budget analysis, etc. is depleted). The program also improves management – entry-level hiring is economical and helps put resources to DOE’s “front-line”; consistent with the goals of the President Management Agenda.
How Does the Program Work?
Once hired, the employee is given training specific to his/her job as well as “corporate” training that is geared toward DOE’s scientific, technical, and business management missions and programs. Participants receive a minimum of tering) and business (administrative/management) career paths. Use of web-based training through the DOE Online Learning Center. Additionally, formal training, details, rotational assignments and/or mentors will be made available for participants. After two years as interns, successful employees can be converted to regular status and continue pursuit of their DOE careers.
Who Should Apply
The Program seeks those who have recently earned, or will you soon be earning, a Bachelors, Masters, and/or Doctoral degree. and is specifically tailored for those transitioning from college to a professional career and is intended to nurture development as a next-generation leader in the Federal government.
Job opportunities are available in a variety of academic fields and professions, including but not limited to:
* All Engineering Disciplines: Nuclear, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, etc
* Business Administration Accounting, Operations Management, Marketing, Finance, Procurement/Contracts
* Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems
* Physical Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Math/Statistics
* Social Sciences, Public Administration, Economics, Law, Security
Veterans’ preference applies to the selection of Career Interns. Since Career Interns are appointed to positions in the excepted service, agencies must follow the procedures described in 5 CFR 302. There are many options for applying preference within the excepted service.
Features of the Career Intern Program
* Appointed in the excepted service;
* Subject to OPM qualifications;
* There is no nominating process for the Career Intern Program – applicants apply directly to Federal agencies;
* There is no public notice requirement for Career Intern appointments;
* Appointments are not subject to Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program requirements;
* Agencies have several options in terms of how they apply veterans’ preference when making Career Intern appointments;
* Initial appointments can be made at any grade level for which the agency has a formal training program in place; the intent of the program is an initial appointment at the GS 5, 7, 9 level;
* May be appointed year round;
* No limitation on promotion potential;
* Has a return right provision for career/career conditional employees within an agency or agency component;
* OPM does not serve as a clearinghouse of available training opportunities;
* Requires a 2 year formal training and development program;
* Does not require participants to go on rotational assignments;
* Administered by the agencies, not OPMQualification Requirements
* U.S. citizenship
* A Bachelors, Masters, and/or Doctoral degree (or due to graduate in that school year) **
* Other education requirements, and/or work experience relevant to the position
* Background check
Entry-Level Salary Ranges
GS-5 Pay Grade = $33,269 to $43,251
GS-7 Pay Grade = $41,210 to $53,574
GS-9 Pay Grade = $48,108 to $65,531
Your salary level and pay grade will be determined by your education level, relevant experience, and job location.
APPLY NOW for positions in Washington, DC metro area & Albuquerque, NM.
Find out more about positions with the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Find out more about positions with the Office of Environmental Management.
* Featured benefits are not automatically awarded to all. Award decisions are made based on budget availability and at the hiring manager’s discretion.
The Federal Career Intern Program was created under Executive Order 13162, and is intended for positions at grade levels GS-5, 7, and 9. In general, individuals are appointed to a 2-year internship. Upon successful completion of the internships, the interns may be eligible.
