• Careers at Volpe
  • Professional Jobs
  • Student Employment
  • Volpe Benefits
  • Professional Development
  • John A. Volpe
    Transportation Internship
    Program
  • Volpe Organizational Chart
  • New Hire

Student Employment

At the Volpe Center we recognize the importance of hiring talented students to build our future workforce of diverse transportation professionals. Our Volpe team represents a world-class transportation resource with multi-disciplinary capabilities in all modes of transportation.

We hire students throughout the year to work with our technical teams on exciting projects. All of our student jobs are paid, and offer you the ability to get hands-on experience resolving real-life transportation problems while working in an exciting, supportive, and flexible workplace.

Student Programs

Based on the nature of the work and the hiring needs of Volpe Center divisions, you may be placed in either of the following programs:

The Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) offers maximum flexibility as it allows you to work on a temporary basis in jobs that may or may not be related to your academic field or goals. All positions are paid and open to college and high school students.

The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) runs throughout the year and it is open to undergraduate and graduate students seeking degrees in a variety of fields. You can work part-time, full-time or during breaks (as your schedule allows) in positions that are directly related to your field of study. You will gain valuable experience working with senior project leaders in work that often impacts our nation's transportation systems. All positions are paid and you are eligible to receive benefits. Upon your graduation, you may be eligible for conversion to a permanent or temporary position.

The Volpe Center hires students from a wide variety of fields such as:

• Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Environmental, Electrical, Computer)
• Computer Science/Information Technology
• Human Factors/Engineering Psychology
• Operations Research/Math/Statistics
• Environmental Science
• Geography/GIS
• Economics
• Community/Urban Planning
• Transportation Policy
• Acquisitions/Contracts

Eligibility Requirements

Students must be:

• At least 16 years of age
• A United States citizen
• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree, certificate, or diploma program on at least a part-time basis (as defined by the school)
• In good academic standing at the school
• Able to meet security requirements

Application Process

The Volpe Center hires students year-round and accepts applications on a rolling basis with the cutoffs indicated in the chart below for each hiring period. If there are insufficient applicant pools, positions will be posted and applications may be accepted after the application cutoff.

Applications will be kept on file for six months from the date of submission. Applications submitted past the deadline for a particular hiring period will be considered for future positions.

Please follow the "How to Apply" instructions below to be considered for current or future student employment opportunities.

Please submit the following materials to volpestudentjobs@dot.gov:

• Resume
• Cover Letter indicating your areas of interest and why you have an interest in working for the Volpe Center
• Transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but please ensure they are legible and include your name; school; field of study; grades; cumulative GPA; and cumulative credits earned)

While we prefer to receive electronic applications, you may also mail applications to:
U.S. Department of Transportation
Research and Innovative Technology Administration
John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
HR Division - Volpe Student Jobs
55 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02142

Exceptions may be made to some of the requirements and guidelines outlined above, and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.