2010-2011 Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) eInternship with the Department of State
*Sub Agency:*(REE)Foreign Service Specialists,Student Program
*Job Announcement Number:*REE-2011-0003
*Series & Grade:*** GS-0099-04/04
*Promotion Potential:*** 00
*Open Period:*** Wednesday, November 03, 2010 to Wednesday, November 17, 2010
*Position Information:*** VSFS eInterns serve for a period of up to nine months. Potential opportunities to continue longer.
*Duty Locations:*** many vacancies – Throughout the World
*Who May Be Considered:*** You must be a U.S. citizen and a college or graduate student, as defined
in the Qualifications: Education section.
For questions about the Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS)
eInternship program, please contact the Virtual Student Foreign Service
program at*VSFS@state.gov* <mailto:VSFS@state.gov>.
For technical assistance with this application, please contact the Help
Desk at 1-866-656-6830 or*mgshelp@monster.com* <mailto:mgshelp@monster.com>
*Job Summary:*
VSFS is a virtual internship program for students to learn about and
support the work of U.S. diplomatic missions overseas. Apply to become
part of the effort to lay the foundation for successful American 21st
century statecraft via the use of web 2.0 tools. eInterns will complete
work virtually without the need to leave their academic institution. As
Secretary Clinton stated at her 2009 New York University commencement
address, “the biggest challenges we face today will be solved by the 60
percent of the world’s population under the age of 30. And already,
young people, like all of you, are using their talents and ingenuity to
help fashion their own brand of service and diplomacy.”
The Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) is an academic year-long,
unpaid eInternship program. Announced in May 2009 by Secretary Clinton,
VSFS virtually connects U.S. citizen college students with U.S.
diplomatic missions overseas to engage in digital diplomacy. Because
these eInternships are virtual, students can have a flexible virtual
work schedule during the academic year, allowing both academic and
eInternship goals to be met.
Secretary Clinton and the State Department are looking to American
college students to lead the State Department in conducting digital
diplomacy and engage American citizens in its diplomatic efforts. A
Virtual Student Foreign Service eInternship is an opportunity to build a
relationship with U.S. embassies and consulates abroad and to work on
various projects to advance our nation’s diplomatic and developmental
goals. eInterns will act as citizen diplomats to connect with posts
abroad to engage in our increasingly interconnected world. Social media
tools such as blogging, Facebook, Google docs, twitter, and YouTube are
frequently used in a VSFS eItnernship program. We also envision
opportunities for eInterns to connect with each other and work
collaboratively with eInterns across the country.
Join the Department of State and the Bureau of Information Resource
Management’s Office of eDiplomacy to conduct digital eInternships that
further U.S. diplomacy and build upon the realities of the networked world.
The Office of eDiplomacy encourages college and graduate students from
all majors and backgrounds to apply to the Virtual Student Foreign
Service eInternship program.
*Key Requirements:*
·A U.S. citizen
·A college or graduate student at the freshmen status or higher
·In good academic standing in an accredited institution
·VSFS eInterns will not need to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance
*Major Duties:*
VSFS eIntern duties and responsibilities will vary according to the
location and needs of each diplomatic post and VSFS projects identifed.
VSFS projects may be research based, contributing to reports on issues
such as human rights, economics or the environment. They may also be
more technology oriented, such as working on web pages, or helping
produce electronic journals. Students are expected work virtually on an
average of 5-10 hours per week on VSFS eInternship projects. Most work
and projects are internet-based.
Last year’s post VFSF projects included:
·Creating a forum for host country and American students to exchange
their ideas, experience, and knowledge about environmental advocacy
·Promoting student programs in the U.S. and civic engagement by using
new media
·Identifying and using journalism trends to reach out to students and
young journalists
·Expanding a post’s English learning and educational advising
·Creating lesson plans on environmental conservation and for schools in
remote areas of the country
·Researching, interviewing, and producing a video on visa lottery
winners’ stories and experiences in the US for Consular outreach
All work recognizes that VSFS eInterns do not have U.S. Government
security clearances.
*Qualifications:*
If you meet the requirements listed in this vacancy, you have the
minimum qualifications for a VSFS eInternship. However, this does not
guarantee that you will be selected for a VSFS eInternship. The posts’
programs to which you apply will evaluate your application further based
on their needs and will make the final decision._An applicant must be:_
· A U.S. citizen
· A college student of freshmen status or higher
· A part or full-time student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate
degree at an accredited U.S. college or university
_IMPORTANT_: You are eligible to apply for the Department’s Virtual
Student Foreign Service eInternship program if you will be enrolled as a
part or full-time student (as defined in the Education Qualifications
section above.) If selected for a VSFS eInternship, you must provide
proof that you have registered, or have been accepted for enrollment.
*How You Will Be Evaluated:*
Applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be further
evaluated by the point of contact person for each proposal to which
students have applied. Representatives at U.S. diplomatic posts will
determine the extent to which an applicant’s education, experience, and
background indicates that he/she possesses the knowledge, skills, and
abilities needed for the specific VSFS eInternship.
*To preview questions pleaseclick here
<https://jobs.mgsapps.monster.com/dos/vacancy/previewVacancyQuestions.hms?orgId=1&jnum=13157>.*
*Benefits:*
Virtual Student Foreign Service eInterns are unpaid and not Federal
government employees. They are not entitled to any employee benefits.
To repeat, there are no employee benefits associated with the VSFS
eInternship position. Applying course credit for participating in a
VSFS eInternship must be determined by the student and the academic
institution.
Once completed, questions concerning verification of your eInternship
should be directed to the Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS)
eInternship program at*VSFS@state.gov* <mailto:VSFS@state.gov>
*Other Information:*
VSFS eInternship work will be done virtually. Students must have access
to a computer with Internet access in order to complete the assignments.
NOTE: There is NO travel associated with, nor required for, this
position. Work will be completed by VSFS eInterns from their dorm room,
apartment on/nearby campus, at home, and at other locations to be
selected by the VSFS eIntern.
*How To Apply:*
Applications must be submitted electronically through the “Gateway to
State” system. To begin the application process, please click on the
“Apply Online” button to the right.
You have until 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of this
announcement to complete the application process. This includes
submitting your online application as well as any required documents as
defined in the Required Documents section.
_IMPORTANT_: Applicants may either electronically upload or fax in their
required documents through USAJobs.
*Required Documents:*
In addition to completing the resume and online application, which
includes a Statement of Interest, all applicants must also provide their
transcript. Both_official and unofficial transcripts_are acceptable as
part of the application process. You must electronically submit your
transcript by uploading or faxing it through USAjobs. You will be
prompted to do so. If your transcript does not yet reflect your grades
from either the current or most recent semester, you may still submit
that transcript. If you are a first-year student and do not have a
transcript, please submit a copy of your most recent course schedule to
verify enrollment. If you are a first year graduate student, you must
submit a copy of your most recent undergraduate transcript. Your
application will not be considered if you mail or fax your transcripts
directly to the Department of State.
Please do not send recommendation letters as a part of your application,
they will not be considered.
*Contact Information:*
VSFS Program
Phone: 202-634-3605
Fax: 000-000-0000
Email:*VSFS@state.gov* <mailto:VSFS@state.gov>
Agency Information:
(REE)Foreign Service Specialists,Student Program
2025 E Street NW
Rm NE6418A
Washington, DC 20520
Fax: 000-000-0000
*What To Expect Next:*
You will be contacted by the Office of eDiplomacy to be notified of your
acceptance to the eInternship program. eDiplomacy will also contact
students not selected.
Applicants may view the status of their application on the Gateway to
State site.*CLICK HERE* <http://www.usajobs.gov/>and enter your login
information. Click “Applications,” under the “Application Status”
heading select “More Information.” On the following screen, you will be
able to verify your application status.
*EEO Policy Statement:**http://www.usajobs.gov/eeo*
*Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement:* *http://www.usajobs.gov/raps*
*Veterans Information:* *http://www.usajobs.gov/vi*
*Legal and Regulatory Guidance:* *http://www.usajobs.gov/lrg*
