U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC

Volunteer Internship in the
Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development – Policy and Program Studies Service

Introduction

The Policy and Program Studies Service (PPSS) is located with the Department of Education's Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development. PPSS brings research and data analysis to bear in the development of the Department's budget, legislative, and regulatory proposals, and provides analytic support to the Department program offices. PPSS staff members are engaged in work ranging from preschool education through higher education student lending. Our key customers include the senior leadership of the Department, staff responsible for developing policy, program offices, and the Executive Office of the President (Office of Management and Budget, Council of Economic Advisors, and Domestic Policy Council). The ideal candidate will have advanced writing skills, strong analytical skills, experience with the management and analysis of data (e.g., Excel, Stata), and akeen interest in education. Interns will work in close collaboration with PPSS analysts, and have an opportunity to learn how policy analysis works within a government agency.

Position Description

  • Assist PPSS staff in locating, summarizing, and synthesizing evidence on a given topic.
  • Enter and manipulate data in excel spreadsheets; create tables and graphs summarizing data.
  • Review, edit, and use Stata syntax written by PPSS analysts.
  • Create and revise memos, powerpoint presentations, and other informational materials.
  • Attend meetings and write meeting notes summarizing the discussion.
  • Brief supervisors on the status andprogress ofongoing assignments.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications specific to OPEPD-PPSS

  • Students interested in education, federal policy, and related fields.
  • Students available to commit to 20-40 hours per week.
  • Students who have strong research, data analysis, oral communication, organization, and writing skills.
  • Students who can work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects.
  • Students who can work on a team.
  • Students who have strong attention to detail.
  • Students who have some familiarity with education and/or federal policy.

Application Process

  • Application materials and documentation requirements can be found on the Department of Education’s Student Volunteer Program website:
  • In addition to the ED Student Volunteer Program application package, OPEPD-PPSS requires that you submit a writing sample that is 3-5 pages, from a recent paper, and demonstrates your ability to summarize research and/or an analysis of data.

For more information about the ED Student Volunteer Program, please contact: .

For more information about topics specific to OPEPD-PPSS and to submit your writing sample, please contact:

Azilea Saunders

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Room 6W225

Washington, DC 20202

Phone: 202-401-3132

Email: