Student and Entry Level Positions

DEA has a variety of student and entry level positions.

Student and Entry Level Positions

DEA has a variety of student and entry level positions.

Student & Entry Level Careers

Entry Level Positions

For career opportunities please visit USAjobs.gov.

Employment Requirements

To qualify for employment with DEA, applicants must not violate any of the automatic employment disqualifiers or the drug policy criteria. Please review the DEA employment requirements and Drug Policy. 

Student Volunteer Program

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) offers unpaid training opportunities to high school and college students with the goal of providing work-related experience to their academic program, exploring career options, and developing personal and professional skills.

Eligibility Requirements

  • U.S. citizen
  • Enrolled in an accredited educational institution
  • At least 16 years old at the time of application. Applicants under the age of 18 must have parental consent to participate in the program
  • Maintain a minimum overall 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Pass a DEA-administered drug test and successfully complete a background investigation

Applications Open Periods

Fall Semester: May 1 - June 1
Spring Semester: October 1 - November 1
Summer Semester: March 1 – April 1

Service Period

The initial volunteer period is for 6 months and may be extended to one year. Students will work with the sponsoring office to coordinate a volunteer schedule that takes into consideration their academic and extracurricular activities. 

Educational Credit

Some educational institutions may offer course credit. Students should consult with their respective educational programs for eligibility.

Application Process

Step 1: Application Submission 

Contact the local DEA office to inquire and apply to open volunteer opportunities 

Step 2: Interview

A volunteer coordinator schedules the interview. Some specialized career paths may require additional assessments. 

Step 3: Conditional Offer Letter (COL) 

After passing interviews, a conditional offer letter will be issued. 

Step 4: Fingerprint and Drug Test 

Once all the required volunteer paperwork is completed, the application will be processed, and fingerprinting and drug testing will be scheduled in the local area. 

Step 5: Background Investigation 

Complete a background investigation. 

Step 6: Welcome Letter 

After successfully completing all the required steps, an Entrance on Duty date can be set. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

  1. What are the program eligibility requirements:
    1. To be eligible to participate in the DEA Student Volunteer Program, the student must meet all the following qualifications at the time of application:
      1. Be a US citizen.
      2. At least 16 years of age at the time of application.
      3. Enrolled at least half-time in an accredited educational institution:
      4. Be in good academic standing with the student's institution; minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.
      5. Pass a DEA-administered drug test and successfully complete a background investigation
  2. How long is the volunteer opportunity?
    1. Generally, the volunteer appointment is for 6 months
  3. What will be the schedule for the volunteers?
    1. Students work with the sponsoring office to coordinate a volunteer schedule that takes into consideration their academic and extracurricular activities.
  4. Can the student be offered a fulltime position at the conclusion of the program?

Students are not guaranteed a job offer for a full-time position at the conclusion of their appointment. 

For additional questions regarding the Student Volunteer Program, please reach out to Student.Volunteers.@dea.gov