HSI Pathways Internship
The Pathways Internship Program was established in 2010 and was designed to provide students with opportunities to build their professional skills while working within the federal government. As a result of the skills obtained, students may become more competitive when applying for an entry-level full-time job within their Pathways Internship occupational category.
Student Trainee (Criminal Investigator) Internship Program
The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Pathways Internship Program—Criminal Investigator Student Trainee Program is a paid federal internship that provides students on-the-job experience related to the Special Agent role. Selected interns will have the unique experience being embedded within an investigative group and shadow Special Agents and Analysts as they conduct transnational criminal investigations.
Interns who successfully complete the internship program’s requirements may have the opportunity to be converted into an entry-level Special Agent upon graduation from their accredited academic institution.
Program Benefits
- Paid internship at the GS-4 level associated to the 1899 (Student Trainee) job series. View the GS pay table for more information.
- Interns may set flexible work hours with their supervisors. Interns may elect to complete their 640 internship hours spread out over the course of many weeks, and/or complete their hours over an academic break.
- Interns who successfully complete the internship program’s requirements may have the opportunity to be transitioned into an entry-level Special Agent.
Program Requirements
Selected interns must adhere to all four of the below criteria to remain a participant in the internship program:
- At the start of the internship, interns must commit to completing 640 in-person internship hours prior to graduation. Interns must then complete these hours prior to graduation.
- For the entire duration of the internship program, the intern must remain at least in part-time student status as defined by their accredited academic institution.
- For the entire duration of the internship program, the intern must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
- Complete all administrative requirements (e.g. sign Agreement Form, individual development plan, etc.)
Fall 2023 Special Agent Student Trainee Internship
The Student Trainee Internship is a paid internship that provides on-the-job experience related to the Special Agent career track.
Program Application Eligibility
- Be a United States citizen.
- Current junior, senior, and graduate students enrolled in an accredited college. You are not eligible if you will graduate before the internship start date. Exceptions are permitted if you are continuing your education in the semester immediately following graduation.
- Have and maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA).
- Pass a drug test.
- Pass a background investigation and obtain a Top Secret clearance.
- Pass a polygraph examination if one is required to supplement your background investigation.
How to Apply
The job announcement for the Fall 2023 Student Trainee (Criminal Investigator) Internship Program closed in Spring 2023. The next job announcement date is to be determined.
Job announcements can be found on USAJobs.gov under the search terms “1899” or “Student Trainee”. HSI jobs will be listed under the Department of Homeland Security.
HSI will host several virtual information sessions prior to the job announcement launch. Click the below button to receive important notifications on recruiting events and application deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What type of work will interns do?
Interns will be involved in a wide-range of professional projects and hands-on tasks supporting HSI’s mission. Tasks may include (but not limited to) supporting investigations, conducting research within databases, attending specialized presentations and trainings, tour HSI and partner agencies’ offices, and providing administrative support.
How long does it take to be hired as a Student Trainee?
There are five stages in the hiring process:
Application Submission
Candidates will submit their application on USAJobs.gov.
Interviews
Selected candidates will be invited for interviews.
Conditional Offer
Candidates who passed interviews and were selected by their HSI office will receive a conditional offer of employment. This offer is contingent upon a drug test and the favorable adjudication of your background investigation.
Background Investigation
Candidates who accept the conditional job offer will undergo a full background investigation to include a security interview, drug test, fingerprinting, and possible polygraph examination. As part of the background investigation, former and current employers, references, social acquaintances, and neighbors may be contacted. Background investigators will also thoroughly review your education, credit, arrest, medical, and military records if applicable.
The speed of your background investigation depends on a number of different variables including how quickly and thoroughly you complete the necessary paperwork, the extent of your foreign travel or living abroad, and inconsistencies in the application and background investigation. If your background investigation takes an unusually long time or does not align with the internship program timeline, it is possible that your conditional offer will be rescinded.
Enter on Duty (EOD)
Following a successful background investigation, you will be contacted and scheduled for an enter-on-duty (EOD) date. This date can be negotiated with your HSI hiring office.
What are the requirements to successfully convert from an intern to a Special Agent?
Interns will initiate the conversion from a Student Trainee to a Special Agent on the date they graduate from their academic institution. Interns will have 120 days to successfully complete the conversion process. To be eligible for conversion, interns must complete the bulleted items below. It should be noted that completion of the internship program does not guarantee a full-time employment offer.
- Complete all the Program Requirements listed in the above section.
- Complete their academic degree.
- Obtain a satisfactory job performance evaluation and recommendation for conversion.
- Be selected for a position anywhere within the SAC office the candidate interned.
- Meet the qualification standards for the entry-level Special Agent:
- Pass a physical fitness test (See details)
- Pass a medical evaluation (See details)
May I apply if I already graduated from an accredited academic institution?
The Pathways Internship is designed for current students with at least a part-time student status. You are not eligible if you will graduate before the internship start date. Exceptions are permitted if you are confirmed by an accredited academic institution to be continuing your education in the semester immediately following graduation.
What defines a college junior?
Candidates will be evaluated by human resources based on their number of completed academic credits, not their time in school. Candidates will be determined whether they are sophomores, juniors, or seniors based upon the number of credits completed, and the criteria set forth by their academic institution.
Are there only specific majors HSI will hire?
No. The success of HSI’s mission is reflected in its ability to create an inclusive environment of employees from all backgrounds, culture, and skills. HSI routinely hires from all majors to include (but not limited to) science, technology, engineering, mathematics, linguistics, business, political science, and arts.
Can I apply for a certain HSI office even though I do not live in that geographic area?
Yes. Interns may elect to complete their 640 internship hours spread out over the course of many weeks, and/or complete their hours over an academic break. As a result, interns who do not live in the same geographic area as their selected HSI office will most likely complete their internship hours over summer break.
The anticipated Enter on Duty (EOD) date for interns who receive an offer is only several months prior to their graduation...
The anticipated Enter on Duty (EOD) date for interns who receive an offer is only several months prior to their graduation. Will the intern still be able to meet the 640 internship hour requirement?
Most likely not. Interns will need to evaluate their academic schedule with the need to complete 640 in-person internship hours. 640 hours equates to 16 full-time work weeks, or 4 months. Interns may work a maximum of 40 hours per week.
Will HSI provide travel and housing compensation?
No. Interns will only receive a salary at the GS-4 level. All other costs related to the internship will be incurred by the intern.
If I have taken illegal drugs in the past, can I still work for HSI?
Candidates cannot have used marijuana or cannabis in any form (natural or synthetic) and in any location (domestic or foreign) within the one (1) year preceding the date of your application for employment. In addition, candidates cannot have used any illegal drug, other than marijuana, within the ten (10) years preceding the date of the application for employment.
Interns who have deliberately misrepresented their drug history in connection with their application will be found unsuitable for employment and automatically disqualified.
What documents qualify as proof of academic enrollment?
This required document to be uploaded to USAJobs.gov is not a previous transcript as proof of enrollment in a previous semester does not provide evidence of current enrollment. Alternatively, candidates may upload any of the following documents:
- Official certificate or document from the academic institution confirming academic enrollment.
- A copy of a school transcript showing current and/or future enrollment.
- Official documentation such as a tuition bill showing registration at the academic institution.
- A copy of an acceptance letter for a future academic program.
What does the term “SAC Office” mean?
SAC offices can be thought of as field division offices which oversee a certain geographic jurisdiction. For example, SAC Washington DC does not only encompass the city of Washington DC, but also oversees Virginia and West Virginia.
If I have any questions about the internship program, who can I contact?
Candidates may contact the Internship Recruiting Team at HSIPathwaysInternship@hsi.dhs.gov. Please note that we are unable to answer any questions regarding the status of your application.
The information presented on this website is a summary of the Student Trainee (Criminal Investigator) Internship Program. Candidates must review the USAJobs job announcement for full details of the position.