The DEA Pathways Program is designed to cultivate the next generation of early career talent through personal and professional development opportunities, exposure to a wide range of career fields, and access to a direct path to federal service. Participants will gain the opportunity to build foundational skills and position themselves for long-term careers in public service. Individuals who successfully complete the program requirements may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent federal position.

The DEA Pathways Program consists of two programs: 

The Pathways Internship Program offers paid opportunities for current students to gain work experience related to their academic and career interests while pursuing their education.

Eligibility Requirements

All Pathways interns must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a U.S. Citizen;
• Be at least 16 years of age;
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on at least a half time basis in an accredited educational institution (including Registered Apprenticeship Programs and certain volunteer service programs) and maintain enrollment on at least a half-time basis through the duration of the program;
• Be pursuing a degree or certificate;
• Maintain good academic standing with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale; 
• Pass a DEA-administered drug test and successfully complete a background investigation; and
• Be able to complete at least 480 hours of work prior to completing your degree/certificate requirements.

The Pathways Recent Graduates Program offers full-time developmental opportunities for individuals who have graduated within the last two years from a qualifying educational institution or career or technical education program. Participants receive structured training, mentorship, and professional development experiences designed to prepare them for successful careers in federal service.

Eligibility Requirements

All Pathways Recent Graduates must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Complete all requirements for an educational, career, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying institution (including registered Apprenticeship Programs, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Job Corps, Climate Corps) within the previous two years – or – six years for eligible veterans whose military service prevented them from applying during the two-year period;
• Pass a DEA-administered drug test and successfully complete a background investigation; and
• Meet the specialized experience and/or basic requirements as specified in the vacancy announcement.

Step 1: Create or Update Your USAJOBS Profile

Create or maintain an active profile in USAJOBS and upload all required supporting documentation (i.e. transcripts, resume, proof of enrollment, and Veterans’ preference documentation, if applicable).

Step 2: Search for DEA Pathways Opportunities

Review available DEA Pathways vacancy announcements and identify opportunities that align with your education, experience, and career goals. Interested applicants are encouraged to set up saved searches and job alerts in USAJOBS for ‘Student Trainee’ or ‘Recent Graduate’ positions to stay informed about new DEA Pathways opportunities as they are announced.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Carefully review the vacancy announcement and submit all required documents by the application closing date.

Step 4: Selection Process

Qualified applicants may be referred to hiring managers for consideration. Selected candidates must meet all applicable pre-employment requirements and will be provided with an entry on duty date once their background check has been completed.

Stay Connected with DEA Careers

Join the DEA Pathways Interest List to receive updates on upcoming recruitment events and hiring opportunities.

Can you apply to more than one Pathways opportunity? Applicants may apply for any opportunity for which they meet the eligibility and qualification requirements. Applicants should carefully review the duty location listed in each announcement and apply only to positions for which they are able to report for required in-person work.

Does participation in the Pathways Program guarantee permanent employment? Participation does not guarantee conversion to a permanent position. Conversion opportunities are subject to successful program completion, organizational needs, and management approval.

What work schedules are available for Pathways participants? Internship Program participants can work part-time or full-time schedules that align with their academic schedules. Recent Graduate participants will work full-time schedules.

How long does the program last? The internship program is expected to last up to one year or until the student is no longer enrolled in a qualifying program. The Recent Graduate program is expected to last one year and may be extended for an additional period on a case-by-case basis.

What is required to be converted to a term or permanent position? Interns must complete 480 hours, complete the requirements of their qualifying institution, and receive a satisfactory performance review to be converted to a term or permanent position. Recent Graduates must successfully complete one year of continuous service, demonstrate satisfactory performance, and meet all qualification standards for the target position. 

For additional questions regarding the Pathways Program, please reach out to  Pathways@dea.gov.

• U.S. citizen
• Enrolled in an accredited educational institution.
• At least 16 years old at the time of application.
• Maintain a minimum overall 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Pass a DEA-administered drug test and successfully complete a background investigation.

The open period to apply to the Student Volunteer Program for each semester, is generally

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

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

Some educational institutions may offer course credit for participation in the Student Volunteer Program. Academic credit is not guaranteed, and students are advised to consult with their respective educational programs for information regarding the opportunity to earn course credit for volunteer service.

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. 

What are the program eligibility requirements?
To be eligible to participate in the DEA Student Volunteer Program, the student must meet all the following qualifications at the time of application:

• Be a US citizen.
• At least 16 years of age at the time of application. Applicants under the age of 18 must have parental consent to participate in the program
• Enrolled at least half-time in an accredited educational institution. A recent graduate is not eligible unless he/she can provide proof of enrollment.
• 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.
• Pass a DEA-administered drug test and successfully complete a background investigation

How long is the volunteer opportunity?
Generally, the volunteer appointment is for 6 months and may be extended to one year.

What will be the schedule for the volunteers?
Students work with the sponsoring office to coordinate a volunteer schedule that takes into consideration their academic and extracurricular activities.

Can the student be offered a fulltime position at the conclusion of the volunteer program?
Students are not guaranteed a job offer for a full-time position at the conclusion of their appointment. This program focuses on learning through exploration, giving students valuable experiences and connections that may support future federal career opportunities. 

How does the Student Volunteer Program differ from the Pathways Programs? 
Both programs offer valuable opportunities for students to build professional skills, expand their networks, and gain practical work experience in their field of interest but serve different purposes. The Student Volunteer Program is an unpaid opportunity to gain experience and explore DEA careers. Pathways offer paid positions that can potentially lead to non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent federal position.

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