GAO Student Trainee (Management and Program Analysis) (Fall, 2025)

Student Trainee (Management and Program Analysis)
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. We accomplish our mission by providing objective and reliable information and analysis to the Congress, to federal agencies, and to the public, and recommending improvements, when appropriate, on a wide variety of issues to make government work better.

This vacancy is for Fall internship positions. The anticipated start dates begin in August 2025.

Duties

As a GAO intern, you will learn how to conduct federal audits and program evaluations and apply that knowledge as part of a team. You will assist GAO analysts in planning and conducting in-depth reviews of executive and legislative branch programs. You will collect appropriate data, analyze the data, develop data-based findings and conclusions, and present the information both orally and in writing to diverse audiences.

Specific duties include:

Planning, prioritizing, and/or balancing own work assignments, identifying feasible work management approaches that address required activities and timelines.
Developing, identifying, contributing to, and/or using techniques, tools, and processes that are methodologically sound and targeted to job requirements.
Collecting relevant information that is aligned with objectives/planning decisions and meets needs.
Conducting analyses that yield quality information aligned with needs; identifying relevant information, patterns/inconsistencies, relationships, interdependencies, and potential implications.
Preparing quality written work that meets relevant writing and evidence standards, and that is appropriately targeted to the audience and purpose.
Communicating relevant and accurate information during formal or informal presentations, meetings, or interviews.
Partnering or collaborating with others to address issues or solve problems; following up with others to ensure needs are met.
Contributing to team efforts through participation in activities/meetings, soliciting and listening to others’ opinions, and working collaboratively to accomplish team goals.
Soliciting, listening to, and considering diverse perspectives, approaches, or viewpoints, and incorporating others’ perspectives into decision-making (when appropriate).

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen.
Selective Service registration if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959. Visit http://www.sss.gov.
You will be subject to a background investigation/ suitability determination.
Student must work a minimum of 400 hours, not to exceed a total of 640 hours.
You must be currently enrolled and good standing in an accredited degree program throughout the duration of the internship.

Qualifications

All qualification requirements must be met by the start of the internship.

To qualify for the GS-07 level you MUST be enrolled in a graduate or equivalent degree seeking program, AND meet one of the following criteria:

You must have completed between 18 to 35 semester hours or 27 to 53 quarter hours of graduate level education: OR
You must possess a bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement (defined below).

Superior Academic Achievement: Superior academic achievement (SAA) recognizes individuals who have achieved superior academic standing. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. Class standing — Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B” or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B+” or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

To qualify for the GS-09 level you MUST be enrolled in a graduate or equivalent degree seeking program, AND meet one of the following criteria:

You must have completed 36 or more semester hours or 54 or more quarter hours of graduate level education, OR
You must possess a master’s degree or equivalent Graduate Degree.

NOTE: You must be a current student enrolled in a graduate program seeking a degree from an accredited educational institution on a full or half-time basis. If at any point during the internship (and for any reason) your status as a student changes to that of a non-student, your internship will be terminated.
Education

All applicants must submit their academic transcripts in order to be eligible. The transcripts may be unofficial or official and must show your status as a student, as well as support your educational claim.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/