Student Trainee (Social Science)

The Office of Evaluation and Inspections (OEI) conducts national program evaluations to provide HHS Congress and the public with timely useful and reliable information on significant issues. The trainee will receive formal and on-the-job training which are intended to enhance individual technical competencies. Assignments may include duties similar to the duties listed below.

• Assists the project lead to identify potential inspection assignments related to Medicare Medicaid and public health and human services programs.
• Assists in conducting pre-inspection research of laws and regulations; GAO reports; OIG audits investigations and inspection reports; other studies; and pending or recently enacted regulations or legislation related to the assigned inspections on Medicare Medicaid and public health and human service programs.
• Engages in a variety of research evaluation and analysis assignments in Medicare and Medicaid public health and human service programs to gain broader knowledge of the programs and experience in the inspection process.
• Gathers and organizes narrative and statistical information using established statistical methods techniques and models such as questionnaires interviews standard computer software applications and data trends.
• Assists in developing data driven findings and recommendations for program evaluations and reporting of results to officials and stakeholders.
• Prepares various statistical tables and reports new or modified work methods management processes and procedures for administering program services guidelines and procedures for evaluating program operations.
• Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of programs to identify program vulnerabilities and potential waste fraud and abuse.
• Participates in discussions meetings conferences and conference calls with administrative senior subject matter and technical personnel and other federal agency officials to secure and provide information; to evaluate and inspect facts; to present conclusions recommendations and alternatives; and to obtain concurrence and prepares alternate courses of actions.

• Interns may work either part- or full-time.
• Each agency must sign a Participant Agreement with the Intern that sets forth the expectations for the internship.
• Interns job will be related to the Interns academic career goals or field of study.

• Complete at least 480 hours of work experience in the Internship Program
• Complete their degree or certificate requirements
• Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Intern will be converted
• Meet agency-specific requirements in the Participants Agreement and
• Perform their job successfully.

• Worked in but not for a federal agency pursuant to a written contract with a third- party provider officially established to provide internship experience to students that is comparable to the Pathways Internship Program;
• Served as an active-duty member of the armed forces (including the National Guard and Reserves) as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2101 provided the veterans discharge or release is under honorable condition; or
• Worked in a registered apprenticeship program at a federal agency prior to their appointment in the Pathways Internship Program.
• Student volunteer service described under 5 CFR Part 308 and other federal programs designed to give internship experience to students (e.g. a Department of Labor Job Corps Program etc.) if the experience is comparable to the experience gained in the Pathways Internship Program.

• U.S Citizenship is required.
• Registration with the Selective Service (if applicable).
• Suitability for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
• Age requirement
• Pathways Program Participant Agreement

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements including education and any selective placement factors described below within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Education used as part of an application package will only be considered if complete transcripts are submitted and must be from an accredited institution as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. To see if your institution is accredited please follow this link: Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

Positive Education Requirement: This position has a position education requirement as indicated below. A complete transcript showing relevant coursework and degrees must be submitted with your application package. A list of completed courses or incomplete transcripts will not be accepted.

Internship Eligibility Requirements: Individuals accepted for enrollment or students enrolled in an accredited high school college (including 4-year colleges/universities community colleges and junior colleges); professional technical vocational and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate.

Note: You must provide an unofficial academic transcript that reflects your current enrollment and a verification of Fall 2026 enrollment. If you have been accepted for enrollment at a qualifying academic institution you must submit an acceptance letter from the academic institution on the institutions letterhead.

Upon completion of the Pathways Intern Program to be eligible for conversion into the 101 series Social Science Analyst:

• Applicants must have completed a 4 year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree in a behavioral or social science; or related discipline appropriate to this position OR;
• Must have 4 years of appropriate experience that demonstrates you have acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field OR;
• Must have a combination of the education and experience described above.