US DOT - 2010 Summer Transportation Internship Program for Diverse Groups

Company/Organization: U.S. Department of Transportation
Program/Position: 2010 Summer Transportation Internship Program for Diverse Groups (STIPDG)
Application Deadline: 5 Feb 2010
Duration: 7 Jun - 13 Aug 2010
Class Level: Undergraduate, Graduate
Major: Any
Compensation: $4,000 (UG), $5,000 (G)
Location: Various
Apply at: https://secure.twc.edu/twc/default.jsp

 

United States Department of Transportation

2010 Summer Transportation
Internship Program for Diverse Groups (STIPDG)

Internship Period: June 7 - August 13, 2010
Official program website: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/education/stipdg.htm

Application Deadline: Selections will be made as applications are received, so please apply early! We will continue to accept applications submitted by February 5, 2010.

To apply online, visit https://secure.twc.edu/twc/default.jsp. This link will take you to the application via the USDOT contractor: The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. You must first create a new profile on the web site to begin the application process. Proceed by selecting STIPDG from the first drop down menu, and follow all instructions to complete the application process. U.S. Citizenship is required for eligibility.

 

The 2010 Summer Transportation Internship Program for Diverse Groups (STIPDG) is for students in all majors.

(A) THE 2010 STIPDG PROGRAM OBJECTIVE

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is accepting applications for the 2010 STIPDG Internship Program. Funded by the FHWA's Office of Civil Rights' On-the-Job Training Supportive Services Program, the objective of the STIPDG is to provide college/university students with hands-on experience and on-the- job training while working on current transportation-related topics and issues. The STIPDG is open to all qualified applicants but is designed to provide qualified women, persons with disabilities, and members of diverse groups with summer opportunities in transportation where these groups have been under-represented. To apply for this year's program, visit https://secure.twc.edu/twc/default.jsp. Please refer to the information below for the "2010 STIPDG Eligibility Requirements" and the "How To Apply for the 2010 STIPDG/Application Requirements".

(B) THE 2010 STIPDG ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  1. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  2. Applicants must be currently enrolled in degree-granting programs of study at accredited U.S. institutions of higher education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. (See U.S. Department of Education's accreditation database to verify your school and/or program of study.)
  3. Undergraduate applicants must be juniors or seniors for the fall of 2010. Undergraduate applicants from Junior, Tribal, or Community Colleges must have completed their first year.
  4. Law Applicants must be entering their second or third year of law school in the fall of 2010.
  5. Applicants who are scheduled to graduate during the spring or summer semesters of 2010 are not eligible for consideration for the STIPDG unless: (1) they have been accepted for graduate school enrollment; (2) they have been accepted for enrollment at an institution of higher education; or (3) their acceptance is pending. In all instances, the applicant must submit with their completed application, all required documentation (with the school's logo) reflecting their status. (There will be no exceptions.)
  6. Former STIPDG interns may apply but will not necessarily receive preferential consideration.
  7. Applicants will be evaluated based on the "completeness" of the application and the Required Documents listed below. Priority will be given to those with GPA's of 3.0 or better (for the Major and/or Cumulative).
  8. Applicants must be available and able to participate through the duration of the 10-week program including closing ceremonies.
  9. Applicants must submit a completed application, to the webpage listed above, no later than the February 5th, 2010 deadline.

The United States Government does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. The STIPDG is open to all applicants based on the eligibility requirements that follow and based on the merit of the "Required Documents" requested under "C."

(C) HOW TO APPLY FOR THE 2010 STIPDG/APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

To receive full consideration and review, applicants must complete and submit all required information and documentsrequested online at https://secure.twc.edu/twc/default.jsp. Refer any questions or inquiries to: U.S. DOT STIPDG, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, HAHR-40, Room E63-439, Washington, DC 20590, or e-mail 2010STIPDG@dot.gov."Required Information" includes:

  • 2010 STIPDG Application. FHWA Privacy Policy
  • A copy of your most recent Transcript/Grade Record/Report.
  • At least one reference letter (if possible with comments) from a department chair, professor, advisor or employerusing the Reference Form included within the online application.
  • A current Resume, reflecting work experience, volunteerism, awards, leadership, and extra-curricular activities.
  • Applicant's Area of Interest/Geographical Preference, also included on the site.
  • For Undergraduate Students: A typed essay, one-page, double-spaced, minimum 12-point type, on your transportation interests, describing how your participation in the 2010 STIPDG will enhance your educational and career plans and goals.
  • For Graduate Students: A writing sample representing your educational and career plans and goals (not to exceed 2 pages).
  • For Law Students: A Legal Writing Sample (not to exceed 5 pages).

Special Notes/Suggestions:

  • Applicants who fail to submit a COMPLETE Online Application by the closing date will not receive full consideration, review, or be forwarded for ultimate selection.
  • All applicants are encouraged to mark/identify as many occupations, offices, interests and geographical locations as applicable to your career goals. By marking more than one interest and geographical location, you are increasing your opportunities for placement.

(D) HOW THE 2010 STIPDG APPLICANTS WILL BE EVALUATED/SELECTED

Applicants are encouraged to submit all "Required Information" as soon as possible as selections may be identified on an on-going basis. All application packages will be reviewed, scored, and evaluated based on the merit and completeness of the "Required Criteria":

  1. (1) The 2010 STIPDG Application —(https://secure.twc.edu/twc/default.jsp); fully address the information requested;
  2. (2) Copy of Your Transcript/Grade Record/Report - submit your most recent reflecting your Cumulative GPA.Priority will be given to Applicants with GPA's of 3.0 or better.
  3. (3) One Reference - print the form contained within the online application, have it completed by a department chair, professor, advisor, or employer to include comments, if possible and submit it with your application;
  4. (4) Your Resume - submit one reflecting work experience, volunteerism, awards, leadership, and extra-curricular activities; preferable supporting the type of transportation experience you are seeking;
  5. (5) A Writing Sample - Undergraduate Students: submit a typed essay, one-page, double-spaced, minimum 12-point type, on your transportation interests, describing how your participation in the 2010 STIPDG will enhance your educational and career plans and goals; Graduate Students: submit a writing sample (not to exceed 2 pages) representing your educational and career plans and goals, and Law Students: submit a legal writing sample (not to exceed 5 pages). ;

A STIPDG Panel will rate and evaluate all application packages based on a rating system.

(E) THE 2010 STIPDG DEADLINE FOR SELECTING PARTICIPANTS

The FHWA's Office of Human Resources (OHR) is responsible for selecting anywhere from 80 to 100 students, including Law, Graduate, and Undergraduate rising juniors and seniors from across the country to participate in the 2010 STIPDG. Applicants' submitting COMPLETED applications will be reviewed and rated immediately upon receipt. The FHWA's Office of Human Resources will work with the U.S. DOT sponsoring Offices to select the final number of assignments and participants based on the availability of funding for the program, and to include a wide variety of Transportation-related disciplines. Primarily, students selected to participate in the 2010 STIPDG will be assigned to a Mentor and project based on their areas of interest and/or majors. Where one-to-one matches cannot be made, applicants may be offered assignments "not directly related" to their majors. The FHWA's Office of Human Resources will notify all students of their status in writing via e-mail confirmations no later than May 1, 2010. Students selected for participation will have 5-business days to reply to the offer e-mails, before the offers may be made to other qualified applicants.

(F) About the 2010 STIPDG PROGRAM EXPERIENCE: MANAGEMENT/BENEFITS

In its 19th year, the 2010 Summer Transportation Internship Program for Diverse is a critical component of the U.S. DOT/FHWA's student recruitment efforts. The STIPDG is committed to ensuring a quality experience in transportation. The program is unique because of the many program benefits and features that are listed below.

2010 STIPDG PARTICIPANTS' BENEFITS

  • 2010 STIPDG Stipends: Since the STIPDG experience is a special training opportunity and not a Federal job, participants do not receive annual or sick leave or other Federal Government benefits during their 10 weeks. As mentioned above, students are not Federal employees and become employees of the Contractor selected to manage the daily activities. Law and Graduate Participants will receive a total stipend not-to exceed $5000, and Undergraduate participants will receive a total stipend not- to-exceed $4000, for their 10 weeks. The bi-weekly stipends are subject to taxation in accordance with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and are distributed via the payroll account of the Contractor selected to manage the daily activities of the 2010 STIPDG. The Contractor also will be responsible for forwarding a W-4 and I-9 to all STIPDG 2010 participants for that tax year.
  • 2010 STIPDG Housing: During the program, participants will reside in housing procured by the Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for coordinating and paying for all housing for STIPDG 2010 participants. The Contractor, not the student, is responsible for all 2010 STIPDG housing arrangements. The Contractor verifies with the FHWA that the housing is decent, safe, FEMA-approved, and ADA-compliant and accessible. Housing will be in close proximity to the worksites for approved assignments and can include placement in the Washington, D.C. area or throughout the United States. The program only provides funding for shared housing for participants accepting assignments more than 50 miles (one way) away from their permanent residences. Actual housing accommodations will vary by location and can include college/university quarters. Housing accommodations can and typically do require shared-living arrangements with other interns. Participants may opt not to accept the shared housing, but will not be reimbursed by the Contractor, U.S. DOT, FHWA, or other participating program office, for housing obtained independently, and without the advanced written approval of the Contractor and Office of Human Resources. Housing is provided solely for 2010 STIPDG participants and cannot be used for non-participants. Participants who fail to honor the STIPDG 2010 housing requirements will forfeit all remaining stipends and other related benefits and will be immediately removed from the program.
  • 2010 STIPDG Transportation and Related Travel: Through the Contractor, the STIPDG 2010 Program pays for all travel and transportation expenses associated with relocations for participants whose permanent residence is more than 50 miles (one way) away from their assignment location. The Contractor, not the student, will be responsible for procuring and securing, all primary transportation and travel related to the participants' assignments. This specifically includes travel expenses to and from the participants' homes to their assigned summer assignment locations and back, travel associated with approved conferences, workshops, and field trips specific to the assignments, and travel associated with closeout activities in Washington, D.C. Again, this only applies when the assignment is more than 50 miles (one-way) from the participants' residence.
  • A Special Note Regarding College Credit: Colleges/Universities with students selected for the 2010 STIPDG are encouraged to grant three (3) academic college credits to the interns upon the completion of the program. However, the college or university officials at each institution are the authority on final decisions. Students should discuss arrangements with their institutions, prior to starting the program.

For further information about the 2010 STIPDG:

U.S. DOT STIPDG
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
HAHR-40, Room E63-439
Washington, DC 20590
Lafayette Melton, 202-366-2907
2010STIPDG@dot.gov