Mapping Disability Data in US Public Surveys
Office of Disability Employment PolicySummary
The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and valuable career-ready skills. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution, and participation must be with the permission of the institution at which the student is enrolled.
In order to be eligible for this opportunity you must be able to obtain academic credit from your institution OR a third-party stipend of at least $15.00 per hour or higher if the locality you are selected for has a higher minimum wage than $15.00.
This project will assess the availability, comparability, and gaps in disability-related data across major U.S. public surveys. The student will develop an inventory of disability measures and examine the extent to which existing surveys support research on the demographic, economic, health, and social circumstances of people with disabilities. Final deliverables include a structured data inventory, and an assessment of major data gaps and opportunities for research. Learning objectives are to gain experience working with federal surveys, develop an understanding of disability data, and learn to translate technical findings into recommendations for researchers and policymakers.
The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program, as authorized under 5 U.S.C §31114 and 5 CFR Part 308, enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration. These assignments are designed to align with each agency's strategic priorities, offering participants practical experience within Federal operations while supporting the advancement of targeted initiatives.
Conditions of employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S National studying in the U.S. or abroad. International students on valid visas may participate if they meet applicable immigration, visa, and agency authorities and have three years of residency in the United States.
- Be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution.
- Be in good academic standing as defined by your institution.
- Commit to volunteering 8 - 20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.
- Agree to volunteer. This position is unpaid. No compensation, stipends, or hiring preference will be granted from this work. You may use this volunteer experience to qualify for future jobs you choose to apply for.
- Agree to understanding volunteers are not Federal employees.
- In order to be eligible for this opportunity you must be able to obtain academic credit from your institution OR a third-party stipend of at least $15.00 per hour or higher if the locality you are selected for has a higher minimum wage than $15.00.
- For minors aged 16 or 17: If selected for a student volunteer position, you must also submit a work permit prior to coming onboard.
Qualifications
Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills, or abilities related to project needs.
Students pursuing studies in economics, policy analysis, or another quantitative social science discipline encouraged to apply.
To be successful in this Semester of Service assignment, applicants should demonstrate:
- Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office
- Written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly.
- Ability to analyze data and information and make recommendations for program improvement.
- Ability to conduct independent research and evaluate source materials.
- Ability to create clear written summaries, reports and presentations.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a small team, and communicate effectively with supervisors.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments, projects, and/or initiatives.
Education
To qualify, you must be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution. You also must be in good academic standing as defined by your institution. Attach a copy of your transcripts to your application package for verification.
If you do not submit sufficient academic documentation necessary to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete, and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.
An academic year of undergraduate education is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in an accredited college or university and vocational or technical institution.
See the Required Documents section of this announcement. If you do not submit a transcript (unofficial or official) indicating your possession of the required education, you will not be considered for this position.
Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.
If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.
If the student is not currently enrolled or is between academic programs, the student may have a brief interim period of not more than five months during which the student must demonstrate a bona fide intention of continuing to pursue a course of study immediately after the interim period has ended. This documentation may be provided through an official letter from the academic institution confirming the student's status as a continuing student, or similar documentation.
Graduating seniors from high school, college or graduate school who are not continuing their education will not be considered eligible.
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.
This is an unpaid volunteer experience. A Student Volunteer is not an employee of the Federal Government for any purposes other than injury compensation and laws relating to the Federal Tort Claims Acts. Therefore, service time is not creditable for leave accrual or any other federal employee benefits. Students are not eligible for noncompetitive conversion to positions in the Federal service.
Student Volunteers are eligible to receive transit benefits.