About the opportunity
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) within the Department of Justice is seeking a highly-motivated student for an Information Technology Intern position. This excepted service role is filled under the Pathways Internship Program, designed to provide students from high school to graduate level with paid work opportunities while pursuing their degrees. Interns will work with higher-graded staff to gain practical experience in IT customer service, software applications, engineering, and cybersecurity. This is not a remote or summer-only position; selected applicants must physically report to the assigned DOJ OIG office location. The program aims to provide federal managers with a source of student employees and potential future permanent staff.
Salary and benefits
- Paid internship position with a salary range of $57,736 – $91,815 per annum
- Practical work experience in various IT disciplines
- Participation in an OIG-wide mentorship program
- Potential eligibility for conversion to the competitive service upon successful completion of program requirements
- Federal employee benefits as applicable
Who can apply?
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, or graduate/professional school on a half-time or full-time basis
- Must maintain good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
- Must maintain enrollment throughout the duration of employment
- Must meet specific grade-level qualifications (e.g., GS-9 requires two academic years of graduate education, a master's degree, or one year of specialized experience at the GS-7 level)
- Must demonstrate competencies in attention to detail, interpersonal skills, reasoning, teamwork, and customer service
Required documents
- Resume showing relevant experience and dates
- Unofficial college transcript verifying enrollment, GPA, and grade requirements
- Veterans' Preference documentation (DD-214 or SF-15, if applicable)
- Schedule A documentation (if applicable for persons with disabilities)
When to apply
- Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 2026-09-15
- Online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of the announcement
How to apply
- Click the Apply Online button on the USAJOBS portal
- Complete the initial online application and questionnaire
- Attach all required supporting documentation
- Submit the application package before the closing date
- Monitor email for notifications regarding the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment
- Complete the USA Hire assessment within the specified timeframe if requested
Additional information
- This position requires physical reporting to the assigned DOJ OIG office location.
- Conversion to the competitive service requires successful completion of a degree, 640 hours of work experience, meeting OPM qualification standards, and a favorable supervisor recommendation.
- Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify Selective Service registration.
- Reasonable accommodations for the assessment process are available upon request.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Enrolled students from high school to graduate level seeking paid practical experience across various IT disciplines including customer service, engineering, and cybersecurity.
- Candidates who meet the 3.0 cumulative GPA requirement and can demonstrate core competencies in attention to detail, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
- Individuals looking for a structured pathway that offers potential eligibility for conversion to permanent federal service upon successful program completion.
What should you think carefully about?
- This is strictly an on-site position requiring physical reporting to the assigned DOJ OIG office location, meaning relocation or local commuting is necessary if you do not live nearby.
- Applicants must maintain continuous enrollment in an eligible educational institution throughout the duration of employment.
- Candidates must complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment within 48 hours following the close of the announcement.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This paid internship is well-suited for students aiming to bridge academic learning with hands-on federal IT experience while maintaining active studies. With a defined salary range and mentorship opportunities, it supports the goal of building specialized technical competencies in a government setting and provides a direct pipeline toward a permanent career in public service through potential competitive service conversion.
Our take
Enrolled students who meet the academic criteria and desire practical IT experience within the Department of Justice should seriously consider applying, provided they can commit to the physical office reporting requirements.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verifiedSource: USAJOBS
