Pathways Student Trainee (Program Analysis)

Summary This vacancy announcement will be open from May 19, 2026 to May 25, 2026 or when 50 applications have been received. The vacancy will close on whichever day the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages. Learn more about this agency Duties Pathways Opportunities in Department of State, Bureau of Human Resources, Office of Accessibility and Accommodations, Accessibility Division. The position is the Bureau of Human Resources (HR), Office of Accessibility and Accommodations whose mission is to recruit, develop, and empower the world’s premier diplomatic team to advance U.S. foreign policy goals by (1) fostering flexibility to align talent to the mission; and maximize the talent advantage as an employer of choice. (2) Retain high-quality talent: Equip and empower our people to succeed at work and life; (3) Transform Customer Experience: Strengthen partnerships that enhance the customer experience; promote a culture of excellence in customer experience; leverage data and technology to drive informed decision-making. The Video Captioning Specialist intern will transcribe and caption video media or podcasts to make the information accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing. In this assignment, the employee will help make Department media content more accessible to people with disabilities. As a Video Captioning Specialist the employee listens to the audio track of a video, transcribes it into text, uses captioning software to prepare a timecoded transcript, and then uses software to produce a captioned version of the video.  The employee must work independently and have superb writing, editing, and communication skills.  The intern is expected to maintain accurate records and work with other employes and contractors on the Video Captioning team to identify and implement process improvements that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department’s Video Captioning program. In addition to the above, the intern will be given software access to assist in providing audio description services to make visual content understandable for people who are blind or low vision. The Audio Description process begins with viewing a video and identifying ways to improve accessibility by adding an Audio Description track. This includes reading slides and title cards, describing settings, and detailing physical actions used by subjects within the video. After this, a script is written, maximizing efficiency in description and using quiet spots in the audio track where the description can be inserted. Tracks are recorded and encoded into the original video file using standard video editing software such as Adobe Premiere.  The results make Department records such as trainings accessible and legally compliant for individuals with disabilities. Requirements Conditions of employment Verification from the academic institution confirming acceptance into a qualifying program. Must be at least 16 years of age by the closing date of the announcement. Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/ Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0. Must be able to obtain and maintain at least a Secret Security clearance. U.S. Citizenship is required. Enrolled or accepted for enrollment at a qualifying educational institution with at least a half-time course load. Must maintain student eligibility for duration of internship. All transcripts or educational documentation must reflect a projected graduation date after the (Fall 2027) semester or later. Qualifications 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; AND be currently accepted to/enrolled in a qualifying degree or certificate program. Education An individual who needs to complete less than the equivalent of half an academic/vocational or technical course-load immediately prior to graduating is still considered a student for the purposes of this Program.  The Pathways Internship Program targets students accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled in a qualifying educational program in an accredited institution, on a full or half-time basis with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school.   Applicants must meet the definition of "student" in order to be considered for this opportunity.  At the successful conclusion of the program, interns may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a Federal career or career-conditional position in the competitive service.  Conversions to the competitive service are not guaranteed.   Pathways candidates must meet the DOS qualification standards applicable to the position being filled. All applicants must meet the qualifications by the closing date of this announcement.   Cumulative GPA of 2.0 at time of application and must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA throughout the entire Pathways Internship appointment;  Degree does not have to be related to the position/series; however to be eligible, candidate must meet the OPM qualification standards for the position to which the Intern may be converted. Certificate Requirements:  Undergraduate certificates must contain a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours. Graduate certificates must contain a minimum of 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours. For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school. The Department of State no longer accepts certificates that are credited with Continuing Education Units (CEUs). 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. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence at the time of application. Late submissions of proof of accreditation will not be accepted. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials. Student means an individual accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled), including awardees of the Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship Program under Public Law 93-842. Students need not be in actual physical attendance, so long as all other requirements are met. An individual who needs to complete less than the equivalent of half an academic/vocational or technical course-load immediately prior to graduating is still considered a student for purposes of this Program. Additional information Pathways Internship Experience Program (IEP) appointments are made on a non-temporary basis.   Further information on Conversion to the Competitive Service can be found by clicking here. The U.S. Department of State is not obligated to make an offer of employment, nor is the student obligated to accept an offer of employment.  REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION - This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at [email protected]. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at [email protected].  If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. [REMOVE content, as appropriate, for the position].  Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. Expand Hide  additional information 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. Employees hired under the Pathways Programs on appointments for 90 days or more are eligible to earn annual and sick leave. Interns hired under the Internship Experience Program (IEP) appointment for a period expected to last longer than 1 year are eligible for health and life insurance coverage as long as they are expected to be employed under this appointment for over 1 year and are expected to be in a pay status for at least one-third of the total period of time from the date of their initial appointment to the date of the completion of the Program. The cost of premiums is split between the employee and the agency, as it is for all permanent employees. As a Department of State employee, Interns are eligible to receive a transit subsidy each month to compensate for travel to and from work via certain types of public transportation. 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.