Interdisciplinary Resource Protection and Law (IRPL) Training Content Update

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: Department of Interior Office of Employee Development (Remote) Work Schedule and Flexibilities: Flexible to student's school schedule with an expectation that they will be available during business hours for occasional meetings. 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. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages. The DOI Office of Employee Development provides training and professional development for employees responsible for cultural and natural resource management across the Department of the Interior. The National Park Service (NPS) Interdisciplinary Resource Protection and Law (IRPL) course is an established professional development course that provides interdisciplinary training on the legal and policy framework governing resource protection and management. The student volunteer will support a structured review of IRPL course content to help ensure that training materials remain current, accurate, and relevant. The project will involve reviewing existing course materials and authoritative legal and policy sources, identifying content that may require revision, documenting recommended updates, and developing a sustainable system for tracking course content and future changes. The student will work with Cultural Resources Training Program staff, course instructors, and subject-matter experts to understand how changes in laws, regulations, policies, guidance, and professional practice affect training content. The student will not provide legal advice or independently determine the substantive accuracy of legal information; rather, the student will conduct research and organize information for review by qualified DOI subject-matter experts. The project provides an opportunity for a student to gain practical experience in federal resource management, environmental and cultural resource law and policy, adult learning, curriculum development, information management, and project management. 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. Specifically, applicants should be junior college or college students. Ideal applicants would have an interest in developing adult training in federal resource management and/or have an interest in cultural resources, natural resources, environmental policy, public lands, law or a related field.

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:

• 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 trade school, technical or vocational institute, 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.