Homestead Research and Modernization

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: Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3-122, Honolulu, HI 96850 Work Schedule and Flexibilities: Student hours: 8 - 20 hours per week, part-time. Flexible hours, though must be able to access various public records repositories which are generally open Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 3:30 pm. Hybrid (In office + telework eligible) 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. Duties: Develop and produce an annotated source table, repository guide, concise chronology, research roadmap, and recommendations for a future case study of one land area that Congress originally set aside under section 203 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920 as amended (HHCA). Identify and organize primary historical, land, survey, title, legislative, administrative, and archival records needed to trace the pre-1920 evolution of land administration in Hawaiʻi from the Māhele-era land system - through Crown Lands and Government Lands, and later Republic and Territorial public land administration - to, where relevant, lands designated as "available lands" under HHCA section 203. Research the development of federal homesteading and analogous laws running concurrent with the above evolution of land administration in Hawaiʻi. Engage with HHCA beneficiaries to identify potential areas for modernization of the HHCA to address barriers to opportunities otherwise available off leasehold trust lands, including federal programs and services. Identify questions requiring additional research rather than reaching legal conclusions. 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. Preferred qualifications:

• Training and experience in historical and legal research and analysis
• Familiarity with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920 as amended
• Working proficiency with ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) since many historical land documents will be in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi
• Public speaking experience to engage with HHCA beneficiaries.

Education

To qualify, you must be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited 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:

• 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 junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution (beyond high school) 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.