AI-Assisted Instructional Design Workflow Pilot
What you'd do
Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and valuable career-ready skills. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration aligning with each agency's strategic priorities.
Major duties
Work Schedule and Flexibilities: 10-20 hours per week for 12-16 weeks (one academic semester) Remote (100% work off site) Number of Positions: 1 Preferred Term(s): Fall 2026 This vacancy will be open until Wednesday, July 15th at 11:59pm ET or until 25 applications have been received. The vacancy will close on whichever day the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages. The Office of Employee Development (OED) seeks a student volunteer to design and pilot a compliant, AI-assisted workflow to support instructional design and training development. This project addresses a short-term capacity gap during organizational realignment by exploring how emerging technologies can improve efficiency while maintaining compliance with federal data protection, accessibility, and records management requirements. The student will identify and test specific use cases where AI tools can support instructional design tasks, such as drafting learning objectives, developing scenario-based content, generating knowledge checks, and summarizing source materials. All activities will be conducted using approved tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT where authorized) and will follow agency guidance to ensure that no sensitive, controlled, or personally identifiable information (PII) is entered into AI systems. The project will emphasize a human-in-the-loop model, where all AI-generated outputs are reviewed, validated, and revised by a human prior to use. The student will assess workflow effectiveness (e.g., time savings, consistency, quality), as well as risks related to data security, accuracy, bias, and records management. The final product will include a set of standardized, compliant workflows and practical guidance that OED can use to safely integrate AI into instructional design processes. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program, as authorized under 5 U.S.C §31114 and 5 CFR Part 3085, enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration. These assignments are designed to align with each agency's strategic priorities, offering participants practical experience within Federal operations while supporting the advancement of targeted initiatives.
What you need to qualify
Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs. Specifically, applicants should: MS or PhD candidates preferred. BS students with strong data analytics or research experience may be considered. Required Experience: Coursework or experience in instructional design, learning technologies, education, public administration, or related field Familiarity with eLearning development processes (e.g., ADDIE or agile methods) Experience using AI tools for content generation, research, or writing support Strong writing, editing, and critical thinking skills Preferred (not required): Awareness of federal data protection concepts (e.g., PII handling, information sensitivity) Familiarity with accessibility standards (Section 508) Experience with eLearning authoring tools (e.g., Articulate Rise 360 or Storyline) Interest in ethical and responsible AI use in government
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
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