Expanding the Energy Geochemistry Database

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.

Major duties

Location: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Building 20, Denver Federal Center, Denver CO 80225 Work Schedule and Flexibilities: 8-20 hours per week, part-time, total duration: Minimum 90-days, January-June 2027. In office (or work site) only 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. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages. A student is needed for the expansion of the Energy Geochemistry Database (EGDB). The EGDB is a collection of nearly 4 million results on over 116,000 samples collected by the USGS Energy Resources Program to develop an understanding of the geochemical and physical processes responsible for hydrocarbon formation. This student will expand the EGDB by performing quality control reviews and addition of outside laboratory data into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Results of this task will be released to the public with the new version of the EGDB, expected in September 2027. The student will gain experience in database usage/management as well as in scientific data quality checks. The project will be under the USGS Petroleum Geochemistry Research Laboratory so the student will also gain knowledge of the operations of a government laboratory that relies on LIMS and a database to serve the public. As this project involves data external to the USGS, it does not replicate or replace the duties of Federal employees and will provide a significant contribution to a high-visibility USGS data product. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program, as authorized under 5 U.S.C §31114 and 5 CFR Part 3085, enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration. These assignments are designed to align with each agency's strategic priorities, offering participants practical experience within Federal operations while supporting the advancement of targeted initiatives.

Qualifications

Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs. Minimum education: Open to students currently seeking diploma/degree in high school, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institutions. The student should have specific interest in laboratory analysis, data processing, databases, and/or be pursuing science/technology-focused degrees. Strong computer skills (Access, SQL, VBA, AI) are preferred.

Education

To qualify, you must be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution. You also must be in good academic standing as defined by your institution. Attach a copy of your transcripts to your application package for verification.

Requirements

Conditions of employment To participate in this Program, you must:

• 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 high school trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution 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. You may use this volunteer experience to qualify for future jobs you choose to apply for.
• Agree to understanding volunteers are not Federal employees.
• Not be a current federal employee. Current federal employees can reach out to the contact below to inquire about job detail opportunities.