Purpose of the College Student Intern Program .2

Table of Contents

Purpose of the College Student Intern Program..………………………….2

Program Benefits ………………………………………………………………..3

Program Administration ………………………………………………………. 4

Student Requirements ………………………………………………………. 5

Recruitment Process..…………………………………………………………...6

Security Clearance Process..…………………………………………………...7

Managers Checklist for Interns.………………………………………………..9

Appendices

Purpose of the College Student Intern Program

The United States Postal Inspection Service sponsors a College Student Intern Program (CSIP), which offers college students, as well as post-graduate students, an opportunity to gain meaningful law enforcement work experience while earning college credits. College student internship opportunities are offered in partnership with accredited colleges and universities which support internships as part of their degree programs. The program is offered nationwide and providesstudents with hands-on experiences in a law enforcementenvironment. Although the Inspection Service is a federal law enforcement agency, there may exist a need for individualswith expertise across the various academic fields which support ourday-to-day operationsincluding, for example, information technology, finance, forensic science, legal, etc.

Program Benefits:

The.CSIP provides excellent benefits for the Inspection Service, the college or university and the students:

For the Postal Inspection Service:

Enhances the recognition of the Postal Inspection Service.

Provides a source of productive and enthusiastic staff to assist in meaningful projects.

Enhances opportunities for targeted recruitment by providing an opportunity to evaluate interns as potential employees.

For the Academic Institution:

Provides an opportunity to build beneficial relationships with the academiccommunity.

Strengthens the ability to align programs with the current demands of the job market.

For the Intern:

Provides meaningful and realistic learning experiences, and a competitive edge in today’s job market.

Assists in making future career decisions.

Enhances the development of professional and inter-personal skills.

Provides course credits for experiencegained in the workplace.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION:

The CSIP is a collaborative partnership between the Inspection Service, colleges and universities, and the student. It is imperative that each partner performs the administrative duties associated with the program requirements.

Inspection Service Responsibilities

The National CSIP Coordinator, located at Headquarters, is responsible for the program administration, serving in an advisory capacity to both the Inspection Service and the educational institution.

Participating divisions will designate a local CSIP Coordinator. Thelocal CSIP Coordinator, in conjunction with the educational institution, is responsible for tailoring a CSIP that meets the educational requirement of the student.

The local CSIP Coordinator will maintain close contact with the student interns, assist in intern evaluations, and assess the intern job performance, as well as, coordinateactivities between the college or university and the Inspection Service.

Academic Institution Responsibilities

The college or universitymust be accredited.

The educational institution defines the parameters of the program, and how it will meet their program requirements.

The educational institution determines the number of course credits it will give to a student participating in the program.

The timeline for the internship will be specified by the educational institution.

Each educational institution will verify and ensure the student’s field of study corresponds to the requirements for the internship.

Each educational institution will make sure the student’s academic status meets the regulations of the United States Postal Inspection Service CSIP.

Educational institutions will appoint a faculty coordinator to oversee the program and its participants.

Faculty coordinators will assist the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in the intern’s evaluations as well as assess the intern’s job performance to ensure adherenceto their school’s policy.

The educational institutionwill coordinate their program activitieswith the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to foster a productive work environment.

Each educational institution will complete the Educational Institution Agreement and return it to the Division CSIP Coordinator. (See Appendix 2).

Students interested in applying for an internship with the Inspection Service may be referred by a college or university that has an existing agreement with the Inspection Service or a student may contact the Inspection Service directly. In the event a student contacts the Inspection Service directly and is attending a college or university that the Inspection Service does not have an existing agreement with, the student should have the school contact the local CSIP Coordinator to coordinate an agreement with the school.

Student Responsibilities

Submit a College Student Intern Application to the localCSIP Coordinator(Appendix 1)

Submit a signed Educational Institution Agreement to the localCSIP Coordinator (Appendix 2).

Sign theVolunteerCollegeStudent Intern Agreement (Appendix 3).

Sign an Agreement for Non-Salaried Internship (Appendix 4).

Make arrangements and be responsible for lodging and transportation.

Successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening and sensitive security clearance background investigation to qualify for the internship.

Complete all required paperwork prior to starting their internship.

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

Students participating in the CSIP must meet the following minimum requirements:

Be a U.S. Citizen and provide a photocopy of a valid birth certificate or passport.

Have a minimum of 50 semester hours completed (or be listed as a junior).

Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 Scale, or equivalent.

Have declared a major or possess skills in a field which corresponds to the needs of the Inspection Service.

Submit a letter from he college or university acknowledging he/she is in good standing.

Submit a resume to include work experience, education, accomplishments, skills, etc.

Appendix 1 (College Student Intern Application) may be used to obtain this information.

In addition, there is a great deal of competition for relatively few positions. To be competitive, students must demonstrate the following:

Flexibility

Analytical thinking skills

Reliability

The ability to work well in a team environment

The ability to set and achieve goals

STUDENT PARTICIPATION

RECRUITMENTPROCESS:

The local CSIP Coordinators will establish relationships with accredited colleges and universities whose curriculum matches the business needs of the organization. Thelocal Coordinator will discuss internship possibilities with colleges and universities to enhance awareness of the program. Also, they will provide notification and internship announcements at Inspection Service field division meetings, in campus newsletters, and/or throughout local communities.

Colleges and universities who participate in CSIP will provide a student profile, a basic description of their school mentoring policy, and the name of the campus program advisor.

Local Inspection Service executives may elect to utilize one or both of the recruitment options listed below:

1. Direct contact with the college or university obtaining access to their on-line internship listing, if available. Many colleges and universities offer this service at no charge. This method is recommended to ensure a diverse internship group is identified. An internship relationship should be established with a minimum of two schools, with a diverse student population. Special emphasis should be placed on schools offering criminal justice, law, science, and technical programs.

1. Vacancy Announcements may be posted on the Postal Service Website in coordination with HRP. Most federal agencies recruit student interns from their Websites. This option ensures that the internship information is accessible by students from diverse backgrounds.

Note: Please contact the National CSIP Coordinator at National Headquarterswith any additional questions or recruiting assistance.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

The selection of a student intern will be made by a two person panel. The panelists include the Inspection Service executive offering the internship, and the designee supervisorof the student intern. The Inspection Service executive makes the final selection(s).

The following items will be considered when making the selection:

1. Specific tasks, duties, or research opportunities available at the time of the internship.

1. Resume and official college transcript received from interested applicant.

1. Letter from college or university advisor stating student is in good standing.

1. Interview,in person or by phone, with the student.

1. Specific project/goals they want to achieve during the internship.

1. References:Student Interns Recommendation Form and/ or letters of recommendations from three (3) sources; One (1) faculty and two (2) personal references from a non-related individual and/or employer (See Appendix 5).

SECURITY CLEARANCE PROCESS:

Student interns are required to have a sensitive security clearance. The sensitive security clearance process is initiatedonce the student intern has been tentatively selected.The following forms are required to begin the process:

PS Form 2013, Sensitive Security Clearance Processing Request

PS Form 2181, Authorization and Release

SF 85P, Questionnaire for Public Trust Positions

Two original SF 85, Fingerprint Cards

The completed forms should be forwarded by mail to the SecurityInvestigationsServiceCenter by the Inspection Service group and/or division requesting a student intern:

US POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE

SECURITYINVESTIGATIONSSERVICECENTER

ATTN: SECURITY CLEARANCE

225 N HUMPHREYS BLVD

MEMPHIS TN 38161-0001

Student interns will not be permitted to work in Inspection Service facilities until all agreements have been signed, required paperwork has been completed, and an interim security clearance has been granted.

Tenure

Appointments are not intended to lead to permanent career positions. However, applicants are eligible to apply for any positions announced to the general public.

The length of the internship term is dependent upon the requirements of the participating educational institution. Students are eligible to apply for subsequent internships as long as they continue to meet all CSIP requirements.

Activities

Examples of activities in which Interns may engage:

Conduct case/report reviews

Attend meetings with Prosecutors and other law enforcement

Prepare MOIs

Conduct research

Enter and analyze data

Interview witnesses

Interact with customers

Examples of activities in which Interns may notengage:

Operate government owned or leased vehicles

Participate in arrests

Carry firearms or other law enforcement equipment

Respond to BDI, Hazmat or other suspicious articles

Participate in undercover activities

Travel

Handle narcotics or dangerous substances

Represent themselves as law enforcement officers

Be present at potentially dangerous situations

View contraband (i.e., CE)

Interns are not strictly prohibited from participating in the following activities however, careful consideration must be given and prior approval obtained from division management (INC or AIC).

Presence at search sites

Surveillance

Suspect/defendant interviews

Range activities

Access to sensitive databases

If there is any question as to the suitability of an intern’s participation in a specific activity, contact the Office of Counsel.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on specific goals established at the beginning of the internship in collaboration with their school policy. If no such school policy exists, students will be evaluated based on the Inspection Service criteria as stated in the Student Intern Evaluation Format the mid-way point of their internship, and at the end of the internship by their respective manager or executive (See Appendix 10).

Equal Employment Opportunity

The United States Postal Inspection Service is an equal opportunity employer. Participants are selected, trained and developed without regard to race, religion, age (40+), sex, national origin, and physical or mental disability.

Americans with Disability

It is the United States Postal Inspection Service’s policy to make sound employment and placement decisions to offer reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities during the process of recruitment, examination, hiring, and internal placement.

The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination against qualified employees and job applicants with disabilities in the United States Postal Inspection Service. This act also imposes an obligation on the Postal Service to find reasonable ways to accommodate an individual with a disability so that he or she can become a productive member of the workforce.

The following is a checklist for managers to use in preparation of incoming interns

Prior to Student Intern Arrival:

Make sure that the completed packet has been returned to the office (See Appendix 6)

If specified, Hepatitis B vaccination (6 months prior) to internship**

Provide directions to the office where the intern will be domiciled

Ensure the drug screening is completed and student is cleared

Articulate to the intern the appropriate dress code for your facility

Predetermine hours for the first working day and inform the intern

 Provided details of the start date, time, location and who they will report to

**Requirement if assigned to the Forensic Laboratory

First Day of Internship:

Supervisor and student intern meet and greet

Provide student intern a tour of the facilities and introduce to coworkers

Conduct an orientation – videos and literature on the Inspection Service

Issue Pass Card, as applicable

Discuss absences – days off policy – prior notice recommended

Discuss hours of work (e.g.,40 hours/week)

List and discuss the intern’s short-term and long-term goals

The Next Steps:

Executives and/or managers should re-review and utilize the Intern Coordinator’s Pre-employment checklist to ensure they have all required materials from applicants (See Appendix 7).

Executives and/or managers will complete an Individual Project Plan for each project they assign to their respective student intern (See Appendix 8).

Each student intern will complete a narrative of their work accomplishments at the end of their internship (See Appendix 9).

A final evaluation of the student intern’s performance should be completed at the end of their internship by their respective managers (See Appendices 10-11).

APPENDICES

Appendix 1 College Student Intern Application

Appendix 2 Educational Institutional Agreement

Appendix 3 VolunteerCollegeStudent Intern Agreement

Appendix 4 Agreement for Non-Salaried Internship

Appendix 5 Student Intern Reference(s) Recommendation Form (Part 1 and 2)

Appendix 6 Pre-Employment Checklist for Student Interns

Appendix 7 Intern Coordinator’s Pre-Employment Checklist

Appendix 8 Student Intern Individual Project Plan

Appendix 9 Student Intern Narrative of Work Accomplishments

Appendix 10 Student Intern Evaluation Form for Managers(Part A & B)

Appendix 11 End of Internship Evaluation Forms (Part 1 & Part 2)

APPENDIX 1

COLLEGE STUDENT INTERN APPLICATION

I would like to apply for admission to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s College Student Internship Program.

STUDENT INFORMATION: (Please type or print your responses)

Name (Last, First, M.I.)
Current Address
Current Phone Number
Permanent Address
Permanent Phone Number
Date of Birth
Identification Number
Country of Citizenship
E-mail Address

College or University:

______

Name

______

MajorGPA

______

Expected Graduation Date

I am applying for an internship beginning:

Fall 201___Spring201___Summer 201___

While completing my internship, I will be classified as a:

Junior / Senior / Graduate Student

Please submit the following in resume format:

Work history starting with most recent experience including: Employer, Address, Telephone Number, Dates of Employment,Specific Titles and Descriptions of Duties

Education

Special accomplishments (e.g., civic and academic honors)

Special skills (e.g., computer skills, fluency in a foreign language, etc.)

Relevant experience (e.g., consulting or research projects)

APPENDIX 2

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION AGREEMENT

Acting as a representative for ______I certify that ______is a

(Institution Name) (Intern’s Name)

student in good standing and that the work assignment and scheduled hoursare approved as appropriate for the course of study or training he/she is pursuing. The student (will/will not) be given (academic or other)credit for participating in the CSIP.

I understand that a record of the student’s attendance and an evaluation of his/her performance will be provided to this institution when the internship is completed.

1. Signature of Approving Official: / 2. Date:
3. Title:
4. Educational Institution:
5. Signature of Student Intern: / 6. Date:
7. Identification #:
8. Educational Institution:
9. Employment Location:
10. Start Date:______/ 11. End Date:______

APPENDIX 3

VOLUNTEERCOLLEGE STUDENT INTERN AGREEMENT

I,______understand that:

(intern’s name)

I am not considered to be a federal employee for any purpose other than for purposes of the Federal Tort Claims provisions published in 28 U.S.C. 2671 through 2680, and U.S.C., Chapter 81, relative to compensation for injuries sustained during the performance of work assignments;

I am to conduct myself with honesty and integrity in the performance of my duties;

I am to consciously safeguard government business that is deemed restricted and not for public information;

This agreement may be terminated by me, my educational institution, or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

A record of my attendance and an evaluation of my performance will be provided to me and my educational institution when my internship is completed.

Signature of Student / Date
Signature of Witness / Date

APPENDIX 4

AGREEMENT FOR NON-SALARIED INTERNSHIP

(To be completed by the student and USPIS manager)

The purpose of this agreement is to establish the roles, responsibilities, and guidelines for the Inspection Service, the school and the student.

Mr. or Ms. ______understands:

(insert student’s name)

1. That he/she will be allowed to use the United States Postal Inspection Service as a source of research and assistance in preparation for his/her schoolwork in exchange for college credits.

1. That he/she will not be compensated by the United States Postal Inspection Service for any activities or work performed. All work performed is on a “voluntary basis and remains the property of the United States Postal Inspection Service.”

1. That he/she will not displace or supervise United States Postal Inspection Service employees.

1. That this project does not and will not guarantee future employment as the result of the work performed.

1. That the school will hold harmless the United States Postal Inspection Service and its officers, agents and/or employees for claims of damage or loss incurred by a student.

1. That the United States Postal Inspection Service is allowing this work to be performed at the request and the benefit of the student.

SEPARATION FROM THE INTERNSHIP: