Environmental Chemistry Analysis

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Environmental Chemistry Analysis

Department of the Interior

Geological Survey

USGS Mercury, Metals, and Microplastics (M3) Research Laboratory

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• Summary
• This job is open to
• Duties
• Requirements
• How you will be evaluated
• Required documents
• How to apply

Summary

Make an impact while you learn. 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. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration aligning with each agencys strategic priorities.

Learn more about this agency

Summary

Make an impact while you learn. 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. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration aligning with each agencys strategic priorities.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Posted today · Apply by 07/15/26

Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 15, 2026

This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Madison, WI

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $0 - $0 without compensation Pay scale & grade

GS 00

Promotion potential None

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Part-time Travel Required Not required

Appointment type Internships

Occupations and job series

• 1399 Physical Science Student Trainee

Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a union No

Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Financial disclosure required No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number 26-12997488-DE-RM Control number 875833600

This job is open to

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Students

Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.

Clarification from the agency

Open to post-secondary students currently accepted for enrollment, seeking a diploma/degree in college, university, or other accredited educational institution (Bachelors degree or above) on a full or half-time basis as defined by the educational institution.

Duties

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Work Schedule and Flexibilities:

8 - 20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days

In office (or work site) only

Number of Positions: 1

Term(s): Fall 2026 (90 day term between August 15 - December 15)

This vacancy will be open until Wednesday, July 15th at 11:59pm ET or until 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.

The U.S. Geological Survey Mercury, Metals, and Microplastics (M3) Research Laboratory is seeking a student volunteer to assist with method development and analysis for microplastics detection in waters and biological tissues. As part of this opportunity the student will receive hands on training within a federal laboratory and work with cutting-edge instrumentation. The goal of this volunteer opportunity is to aid in sample preparation methods for microplastics in waters and tissues from the National Park Service Great Lakes Inventory & Monitoring Network. The objective is for the student to complete sample processing and analysis of environmental samples and prepare a simple report to laboratory management. The student will also be involved with the eventual publication of the work. Milestones as part of this volunteer program include developing competency for general laboratory tasks (i.e., pipetting, working with chemicals, and sample processing), learning how to operate analytical instrumentation (i.e., infrared and Raman spectroscopy), learning data quality control and assurance methods (as outlined in the USGS QMS), and improving data visualization skills. This work supports the following secretarial (SO) and executive (EO) priorities: (1) SO 3441-restoring the gold standard of science by developing transparent and broadly applicable analytical methods that aid in the development of data driven decision making, (2) EO 14212-supporting the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative by assessing the distribution of an environmental microplastics, which was recently included list of contaminants for drinking water, and (3) EO 14314 by supporting science in our National Park system that provides data to managers for the conservation and use of our public lands.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

To participate in this Program, you must:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S National. Any remote work must be completed domestically within the United States.
• Be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited college, university, or other accredited educational institution (at least Bachelors degree or above) throughout the 90 day Semester of Service opportunity. Students graduating before December 1, 2026 are not eligible.
• Qualifying educational institutions must be located within the United States.
• Be in good academic standing as defined by your institution.
• Commit to volunteering 8 - 20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.
• Complete all required onboarding documentation assigned by the Department of the Interior and your academic institution.
• 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.
• Not be a current federal employee. Current federal employees can reach out to the contact below to inquire about job detail opportunities.

Qualifications

Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs. Specifically, applicants should:

• Be enrolled for a bachelors degree or above with coursework in General Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or related fields.

Education

To qualify, you must be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited college, university, or other accredited educational institution (Bachelors degree or above). 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.

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

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This is an unpaid volunteer experience. Student volunteers are not considered Federal employees for any purpose other than injury compensation and laws related to the Federal Tort Claims Act, and service is not creditable for leave accrual or other employee benefits.

• Professional experience: Meaningful project work with clear deliverables, regular supervision and federal mentorship.
• Skill Development: Hands-on application of academic knowledge in real-world Federal operations.
• Career Exploration: Exposure to Federal missions, workplace culture, and potential career pathways.
• Protection and support.
• Coverage under Federal Tort Claims Act
• Workers compensation for service-related injuries
• Structured onboarding and ongoing supervision

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated by Department of Interior personnel to determine your eligibility for the position and your application will be forwarded to the project manager for review.

Benefits

Help

This is an unpaid volunteer experience. Student volunteers are not considered Federal employees for any purpose other than injury compensation and laws related to the Federal Tort Claims Act, and service is not creditable for leave accrual or other employee benefits.

• Professional experience: Meaningful project work with clear deliverables, regular supervision and federal mentorship.
• Skill Development: Hands-on application of academic knowledge in real-world Federal operations.
• Career Exploration: Exposure to Federal missions, workplace culture, and potential career pathways.
• Protection and support.
• Coverage under Federal Tort Claims Act
• Workers compensation for service-related injuries
• Structured onboarding and ongoing supervision

Required documents

Required Documents

Help

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

• Your resume (two or fewer pages) showing:
• Your work experience including start and end dates.
• Education information, such as the name of your school and dates of attendance.
• Any knowledge, skills or abilities youve gained through education that relate to the project.

Note: Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications

• Proof of current enrollment not less than half-time in a college, university, or other accredited educational institution (Bachelors degree level or above). Transcripts or a certificate of enrollment are preferred.

How to Apply

Help

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

• To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
• Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
• You will be taken to the online assessment which you must complete to apply for the position. Complete the online assessment, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You can view the assessment here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12997488

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/howto/application/status.

Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations should be sent to the vacancy contact listed below.

Agency contact information

Semester of Service

Phone 000-000-0000 Email pathways_pmf@ios.doi.gov Address UPPER MIDWEST WSC

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive

Mail Stop 600

Reston, VA 20192

US

Next steps

Once your online application is received you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by DOI personnel to determine your eligibility for the position and your application will be forwarded to the opportunity manager for review.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Required Documents

Help

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

• Your resume (two or fewer pages) showing:
• Your work experience including start and end dates.
• Education information, such as the name of your school and dates of attendance.
• Any knowledge, skills or abilities youve gained through education that relate to the project.

Note: Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications

• Proof of current enrollment not less than half-time in a college, university, or other accredited educational institution (Bachelors degree level or above). Transcripts or a certificate of enrollment are preferred.

How to Apply

Help

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

• To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
• Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
• You will be taken to the online assessment which you must complete to apply for the position. Complete the online assessment, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You can view the assessment here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12997488

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/howto/application/status.

Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations should be sent to the vacancy contact listed below.

Expand Hide how to apply

Agency contact information

Semester of Service

Phone 000-000-0000 Email pathways_pmf@ios.doi.gov Address UPPER MIDWEST WSC

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive

Mail Stop 600

Reston, VA 20192

US

Next steps

Once your online application is received you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by DOI personnel to determine your eligibility for the position and your application will be forwarded to the opportunity manager for review.

Expand Hide next steps

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

Financial suitability New employee probationary period

Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Geological Survey

Agency contact information

Semester of Service

Phone 000-000-0000 Email pathways_pmf@ios.doi.gov Address UPPER MIDWEST WSC

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive

Mail Stop 600

Reston, VA 20192

US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what its like to work at Geological Survey, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://careers.doi.gov/

Summary

Make an impact while you learn. 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. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration aligning with each agencys strategic priorities.

Learn more about this agency

Overview

Help

Accepting applications

Posted today · Apply by 07/15/26

Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 15, 2026

This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Madison, WI

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $0 - $0 without compensation Pay scale & grade

GS 00

Promotion potential None

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Part-time Travel Required Not required

Appointment type Internships

Occupations and job series

• 1399 Physical Science Student Trainee

Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a union No

Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Financial disclosure required No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number 26-12997488-DE-RM Control number 875833600

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