Student Internship Program

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Student Internship Program is structured to challenge and reward a select number of students from across the country. The goal of the program is to allow students to gain an outstanding educational and work experience within various components of ONDCP. The program is intended to provide the students with knowledge, tools, skills, and real life work experiences that they can readily apply to future challenges and professional pursuits.

Student opportunities within ONDCP are unpaid position and will be a minimum commitment of two months, working at least two days a week to not exceed 90 days in duration. This internship opportunity should lead to an unparalleled experience for a student who wishes to be a part of the workings of the Executive Office of the President.

Students interested in employment at ONDCP are required to send a résumé with cover letter, ONDCP application and a copy of the most recent school transcript to the Office of Management and Administration, Personnel Team. Interviews, when applicable, will be conducted by the component head, or designee, where the assignment is available.

Participating students have the opportunity to work in various program areas within ONDCP. The duties often entail assisting in the oversight of major program policy, conferences, briefings and meetings. Students also assist with drafting letters, memorandums and action documents, assisting with travel and conference/convention events, performing research, database development and other additional assignments, as required. Students must possess good writing and organizational skills, as well as the ability to accept and accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously.

Final approval authority for all student positions is under the Chief of Staff.

All students tentatively selected are required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. A security background name check will be conducted and favorable results must be received to establish a report for duty date.

All components participating in this program will designate a staff member(s) to sponsor/mentor each assigned student(s) within its component. The designee(s) will assist students with their transition to the Washington, D.C. area if necessary, and will monitor any quality of life concerns that may arise while working at ONDCP.

To control the appearance of impropriety and other prohibited actions, all relatives of ONDCP employees and contractors are excluded from participation in the Student Internship Program (i.e., career & excepted service employees, detailees and military assignees, and agency representatives).

Application Details

How to Apply: Please complete all aspects of the ONDCP application thoroughly and honestly. Providing the information requested is voluntary. However, failure to provide complete answers to all questions contained in the application may affect the review and consideration of the Student Internship Application. See application for further instructions.

Your application must include all of the following in order to be considered:

• current resume with a cover letter;
• completed ONDCP Application;
• two letters of recommendation; and
• on a separate sheet, a narrative summary of your experience and/or education
  (Graduate School or Doctorate Candidates Fellowship applicants only).

All requested materials must be submitted together in the application. Failure to meet any of the above mentioned requirements will result in a delay in the review, or disqualification, of employment application.

Session Date and Application Deadline:

Deadlines

For the fall and spring sessions, the application deadlines represent the date by which application consideration is given. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Notification of the status of applications will be mailed to the student.

Deadline for Application Submission: October 15
Deadline for Components to submit Intern Requirements: November 1

Deadline for Application Submission: February 28
Deadline for Components to submit Intern Requirements: March 15

Fall Session: September 4 - December 22

Deadline for Application Submission: July 31
Deadline for Components to submit Intern Requirements: August 15

Eligibility

In order to be an eligible applicant you must meet the following requirements:

• be 18 years of age or older at the time at which application is submitted;
• be a U.S. citizen;
• have a GPA of 3.0 or better; and
• submit a complete application.

Accreditation

If a student would like to utilize the Internship for college credit, accreditation is at the discretion of the student's college or university. The ONDCP Personnel Office will assist you in providing appropriate information as requested by colleges or universities. Arrangements for accreditation by any educational institute should be made before the student begins employment.

Background Investigation and Drug Testing

If selected for placement within the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the student will be asked to complete paperwork as part of a standard security investigation, in order to determine access privileges to the Executive Office of the President complex. The paperwork requires that the student provide extensive personal information about themselves and their family. It is important that all information and answers to questions be truthful and comprehensive in answering such questions. Applicants must submit to urinalysis, in order to screen and confirm no illegal drug use. A negative drug test result is required for appointment.

Office Placement

The Office of National Drug Control Policy is comprised of 13 components. The Component Descriptions list gives a brief summary of each component's function. We suggest the student identify at least four component's area of interest in order of preference. Every effort will be made to accommodate the student preference in regards to office placement; however, no guarantees can be made.

Effective immediately. This supersedes policy guidance dated January 10, 2002.

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader