Student Trainee (Congressional & Public Affairs) - Pathways Internship

Summary

Join the Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Inspector General (OIG), where our team promotes accountability, integrity, and effectiveness through audits, investigations, and oversight. The OIG Pathways Internship Program offers students enrolled in qualifying educational institutions paid opportunities to gain valuable experience, develop professional skills, and explore Federal careers while completing their education.

Duties

As a Student Trainee (Congressional and Public Affairs) with the SBA Office of Inspector General (OIG), you will receive hands-on training and experience supporting congressional affairs, legislative research, public communications, and administrative operations. Duties include: Congressional Affairs Support: Assist in monitoring, tracking, and researching congressional legislation, amendments, hearings, and policy developments affecting SBA OIG programs. Maintain congressional contact lists, legislative tracking records, and stakeholder databases. Congressional Correspondence and Briefings: Assist in drafting congressional correspondence, briefing materials, reports, and testimony. Attend and summarize congressional hearings, briefings, and meetings, and support the coordination of congressional inquiries and related activities. Research and Policy Analysis: Conduct research on legislative developments, federal policies, and oversight issues affecting SBA OIG operations. Assist in preparing research summaries, memoranda, reports, and data presentations to support leadership decision-making. Public Affairs and Media Relations: Assist in drafting press releases, talking points, public statements, and other communication materials. Monitor news coverage and social media, maintain media contact records, and support responses to media inquiries. Strategic Communications: Support the development of communication strategies, public information campaigns, and social media content to promote awareness of SBA OIG activities, initiatives, and oversight responsibilities. Administrative and Executive Support: Perform administrative duties, including maintaining records, entering data, scheduling meetings, and coordinating events. Assists the Executive Officer with administrative and operational task in support of the Inspector General and the overall mission of the Office of the Inspector General.

Qualifications

GS-0399-04: Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study OR successful completion of the requirements for an Associate's degree (please verify by attaching a copy of your college transcripts). Academic year of undergraduate education (post-high school study): A minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours at an accredited college or university; or A minimum of 36 weeks at an accredited business, technical, vocational, or qualifying educational institution for at least 20 classroom hours per week. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on OPM's Qualifications website. All qualification requirements must be met by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on 11/03/2026.

Education

You MUST submit transcripts (official or unofficial), student schedule or enrollment letter with this application if you wish to be considered for this vacancy. APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: 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 (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Verify School accreditation. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are selected for this position, you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty. *** If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. *** For further information, click on: Foreign Education.