United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of Inspector General (OIG)

Student Volunteer Program (SVP)

Internship Location: Chicago, IL

The United States Department of Agriculture

The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition,

and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

The USDA has a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to

thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed

others throughout the world; and to preserve our Nation's natural resources through conservation,

restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

The United States Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General

The USDA - OIG conducts audits, investigations, and reviews to accomplish the following three

strategic goals:

1. Strengthen USDA’s ability to protect public health and safety and to secure agricultural and

Department resources.

2. Strengthen USDA’s ability to deliver program assistance with integrity and effectiveness.

3. Strengthen USDA’s ability to achieve results-oriented performance.

USDA OIG's work promotes economy, efficiency, and integrity in USDA programs and

operations. USDA's budget is one of the largest in the Government, and the Department's nearly

100,000 employees run approximately 300 programs. These programs provide a wide array of

services and benefits nationwide, including providing the Nation with nutrition assistance, ensuring

public safety, and distributing benefits to the Nation's farmers and producers in the wake of natural

disasters.

USDA OIG partners with the Department to:

 Recommend policies and actions to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness;

 Investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, and mismanagement;

 Inform the Secretary of Agriculture, Congress, and management about problems, and

progress toward solutions;

 Report criminal violations to the U.S. Department of Justice;

 Operate a Whistleblower Hotline;

 Comment on legislation and regulations; and

 Maintain liaison and oversight for external audits and conduct our own or joint investigations

with other law enforcement agencies.

Proposed Job Duties/Assignments

SVP participants will assist federal special agents and investigative personnel in the USDA-OIG,

Chicago, IL office by working on a myriad of special projects, logistical and administrative tasks as

requested by USDA-OIG management. Participants will have the opportunity to network and

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of Inspector General (OIG)

Student Volunteer Program (SVP)

interact with USDA personnel as well as Federal, state and local law enforcement stakeholders in

support of investigative and programmatic initiatives. Moreover, SVP participants may be invited to

attend investigative interviews, court appearances and assist in many aspects of USDA-OIG’s

criminal, civil and administrative investigations.

Application Requirements:

Students must be enrolled in an accredited school, college, or university at a minimum of half-time

status and be in good academic standing (minimum of a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale). Candidates that

do not meet this minimum GPA requirement may still apply for a SVP position but may be asked to

write a Letter of Explanation and/or Request for Exception to waive this requirement. In addition, the

student must be at least 18 years of age, pass a pre-employment background check, and be a U.S.

citizen.

SVP participants work a minimum of 10 hours per week and schedules are based upon office

needs. SVP participants will work for the entirety of the equivalent of a spring, fall, or summer

semester term unless the SVP supervisor and the SVP participant agree upon a shorter

timeframe. For appointments that exceed the semester timeframe, the SVP participant and SVP

supervisor must submit an extension request to the SVP coordinator in Washington, D.C. for

approval to work during the following term. The SVP participant can work no more than two

consecutive semesters.

Application Process:

Application packages will be accepted during the Spring, Summer and Fall terms.

TO APPLY students must send ONE e-mail with the following:

1. a cover letter indicating their interest in interning at the USDA-OIG, Chicago, IL

2. a resume; and

3. unofficial school, college, or university transcripts.

The ONE e-mail with all application materials attached must be sent

to: Kenneth.Enser@oig.usda.gov & Brandon.Griggs@oig.usda.gov

The SVP coordinator will review all applications to ensure eligibility. All eligible candidates will be

referred to an SVP supervisor for further consideration, possible interview, and selection. Upon

tentative selection and acceptance into the SVP, the SVP coordinator will provide USDA-OIG

Human Resources with the selected student's information for the official offer letter and for

processing a background check.