[Hiring] Assessing National Wildlife Property Repository Field Support @U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Role Description

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 agency's strategic priorities.

• Location: USFWS In-person work is an option, but not required.
• In-person candidates should report to: National Eagle and Wildlife Property Repository, 6550 Gateway Road, Building 128, Commerce City, Colorado, 80022
• Work Schedule and Flexibilities: Up to 20 hours per week, at least 10 preferred. Must be able to work within National Wildlife Property Repository core hours, Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM MT. Start/end dates flexible.
• Remote: 100% work off site
• Number of Positions: 1
• Term: Spring 2027 (90 day term between mid-January and mid-June)
• This vacancy will be open until Thursday, October 29th, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.

The National Wildlife Property Repository (NWPR) is a one-of-a-kind facility operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Office of Law Enforcement (OLE). NWPR is the national receiving and storage facility for wildlife products seized or confiscated by OLE and its law enforcement partners and currently stewards approximately 1.2 million items in its secure collection.

NWPR seeks a student trainee to study how OLE field personnel engage with NWPR and identify barriers to use and opportunities for improvement. The selected applicant will conduct structured informational interviews with OLE Special Agents and Wildlife Inspectors across the country and synthesize these insights to identify patterns, needs, and recommendations that can help NWPR better support OLE operations, outreach, training, and evidence management.

NWPR primarily serves OLE and its field personnel. An enhanced understanding of how Special Agents, Wildlife Inspectors and others are or are not utilizing NWPR's services and any opportunities for improvements to NWPR and its operations will aid the facility in providing more efficient and effective support to OLE operations and to the protection of endangered species from exploitation.

Qualifications

• Be an undergraduate or graduate student.
• Possess strong written and oral communication skills.
• Have the ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others.

Preferred qualifications:

• Prior experience developing or administering customer or visitor experience surveys, conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis, and basic statistics.
• Coursework, prior experience, or interest in communications, sociology, education, or other fields related to project objectives.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S National studying in the U.S. or abroad.
• Be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited college, university, or other accredited educational institution (at least undergraduate or above) throughout the 90 day Semester of Service opportunity.
• Students graduating before May 1, 2027 are not eligible.
• Selectees will be responsible for contacting a school official to sign a Semester of Service approval form indicating you are currently enrolled at least half-time and in good academic standing.
• 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.
• Agree to understanding volunteers are not Federal employees.
• Not be a current federal employee.

Benefits

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