The U.S. Customers and Border Protection (CBP) Student Volunteers Program offers unpaid training opportunities to college students. These opportunities provide work experience related to the students' academic goals and provides them an opportunity to explore career options, develop their personal and professional skills all while earning school academic credit for their internship.
Application Deadlines:
Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must have US citizenship.
- Comply to and pass background check.
- Enrolled or accepted in an accredited educational institution, vocational or technical degree, or obtaining a certificate from a qualifying educational institution and must be taking at least a half-time academic course load.
The program enriches a student’s future by:
- Allowing career exploration early in their academic studies
- Exposing them to new and emerging occupations
- Giving them academic credit for the work they perform (determined by their school)
- Giving them experience which will enhance their ability to obtain paying jobs in the future
Opportunities available in:
Long Beach, CA; San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; Savannah, GA; Chicago, IL; Newark, NJ; Guaynabo, PR; Houston, TX; Ashburn, VA
For more information about CBP's Laboratory and Scientific Services, please visit our website.
The Los Angeles Laboratory is a state-of-the-art facility providing forensic testing services to support CBP’s trade and law enforcement missions. The Los Angeles Laboratory specializes in the analyses of controlled substances, the processing and examination of latent prints, the analysis of inorganic and textile imports, and the determination of geographic origin using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS). As part of the Canine Program, the Los Angeles Laboratory is also working to formulate pseudo fentanyl drugs which mimic the odor profile of fentanyl. These services support the CBP mission of protecting the American public from harmful substances, protecting domestic industries from unfair trade practices, and enforcing CBP and other federal laws and regulations. Student volunteers will have an opportunity to shadow chemists and participate in various opportunities and projects in this laboratory.
How to Apply: Send your resume, transcripts, and a statement of purpose to lab-la@cbp.dhs.gov
Location: Long Beach, CA
Qualifications
- Strong interest in analytical chemistry and/or forensic chemistry
- Experience conducting laboratory experiments
- Good written and oral communication skills including laboratory result reporting and presenting
GPA: 3.0 minimum
Preferred: GCMS, DART-MS, NMR, FT-IR, RAMAN experience is preferred but not required
Research and Training Objectives
Under the guidance of a mentor, training opportunities may include:
- Gain experience working in an accredited chemical forensic laboratory
- Operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of advanced analytical instrumentation including GC-MS, DART-MS, NMR, FT-IR, RAMAN, XRD, and XRF instruments
- Preparation of complex analytical samples by various extractions
- Data processing, spectral interpretation and analysis through complex software
- Report and present analytical findings to stakeholders
Expectation
- Adhere to established work schedule and agency policies and procedures
- Provide technical assistance to chemists and laboratory staff in conducting online research upon request, preparing samples for analysis, and participating in laboratory analysis of various specimens
- Provide administrative assistance when necessary
- Follow all laboratory safety guidelines and regulations
The San Francisco Laboratory, located in San Francisco, CA provides scientific and forensic testing support to CBP and other Department of Homeland Security components along the entire US–Canadian border west of Wisconsin to include the northern Rocky Mountain region, the Pacific Northwest region, Alaska, and Hawaii. In this service area, the Laboratory operates in multiple international airports, mail/cargo facilities, and seaports supporting CBP’s mission priorities. The Laboratory provides a range of forensic testing capabilities including analyses of controlled substances, latent print processing, and digital forensic analysis. This work supports a several of law enforcement actions including screening for illicit substances, intelligence gathering, and support of complex prosecution efforts in criminal cases. The Laboratory is one of two CBP laboratories that provides quantitative analysis of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive component in cannabis. The Laboratory also is specially equipped to investigate suspected intellectual property rights violations on a wide range of electronic commodities including single-use and digital cameras, various types of integrated circuits, computer video games, cellular phones, and other electronic devices such as Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) semiconductors.
How to Apply: Send your resume, transcripts, and a statement of purpose to lab-sf@cbp.dhs.gov
Location: San Francisco, CA
Qualifications
- Strong interest in analytical chemistry and/or forensic chemistry
- Experience conducting laboratory experiments
- Good written and oral communication skills including laboratory result reporting and presenting
- GPA: 3.0 minimum
- Preferred: GCMS, DART-MS, NMR, IR, RAMAN experience is preferred but not required
Training Objectives:
Under the guidance of a mentor, training opportunities may include:
- Gain experience working in an accredited chemical forensic laboratory
- Operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of advanced scientific instrumentation including GCMS, DART-MS, NMR, IR, RAMAN, X-Ray, and electron microscopes
- Data processing and analysis through complex software
- Report and present analytical findings to stakeholders
- Method research and development aimed at analyzing, characterizing and quantifying a range of chemicals including controlled substances and commodity materials.
Expectations
- Adhere to established work schedule and agency policies and procedures
- Provide technical assistance to chemists and laboratory staff in conducting online research upon request, preparing samples for analysis, and participating in laboratory analysis of various specimens
- Provide administrative assistance when necessary
- Follow all laboratory safety guidelines and regulations
The Savannah Laboratory provides scientific and forensic testing that assists with CBP’s trade and law enforcement missions. Beyond laboratory testing, mobile operations using two large RV mobile laboratories and a smaller scale Sprinter mobile laboratory ready for rapid deployment are conducted throughout the Lab’s service area for on-site analyses of suspected controlled substances and screening of potentially dangerous materials at ports of entry. Law enforcement forensic services include analyses of controlled substances, latent fingerprint processing and examination, digital forensic analysis, and crime scene processing. The Savannah Laboratory performs testing on imported goods and provides results used to classify merchandise thereby enforcing and protecting the revenue of the United States of America. Specifically, the laboratory analyzes materials in support of anti-dumping/countervailing duties (AD/CVD), examination of sugar for quota, textile goods, and Country-of Origin determination for honey, garlic, cotton, etc. Student volunteers will have an opportunity to shadow chemists and participate various opportunities and projects in this laboratory.
How to Apply: Send your resume, transcripts, and a statement of purpose to LAB-SV@cbp.dhs.gov.
Qualifications
- Strong interest in analytical chemistry and/or forensic chemistry Experience conducting laboratory experiments
- Good written and oral communication skills including laboratory result reporting and presenting
- GPA: 3.0 minimum
- Preferred: GCMS, FTIR, ICP-MS, IR-MS, and UV-VIS experience is preferred but not required
Research and Training Objectives
Under the guidance of a mentor, training opportunities may include:
- Gain experience working in an accredited chemical forensic laboratory
- Operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of GCMS, FTIR, ICP-MS, IR-MS, and UV-VIS instruments
- Preparation of complex analytical samples by various extractions
- Data processing and analysis through complex software
- Report and present analytical findings to stakeholders
- Method research and development aimed at new and emerging analytical challenges
The Chicago Laboratory employs a highly qualified technical staff that is comprised of scientists, digital examiners, textile analysts, and latent print examiners. The Chicago Laboratory provides a wide range of forensic capabilities including drug analysis, digital forensic analysis, inorganic trade analysis and latent print examination to federal components and other government entities on a wide range of issues and imported commodities. These services assist in meeting the CBP mission of collecting revenue based on import duties, enforcing CBP laws and regulations, and enforcing other federal government laws and regulations. Services pertain primarily to forensic and law enforcement activities.
How to Apply: Send your resume, transcripts, and a statement of purpose to: LAB-CH@cbp.dhs.gov
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Qualification
- Open to learning/conducting laboratory experiments
- Strong interest in chemistry, law enforcement, and leadership development
- Good written and oral communication skills including laboratory result reporting and presenting
- GPA: 3.0 minimum
Research & Training Objectives
Under the guidance of a mentor, training opportunities may include:
- Gain experience working in an accredited chemical forensic laboratory
- Develop Administrative, Law Enforcement, and Interpersonal skills
- Practice Method research and development
- Enhance volunteers problem-solving, communication, time management, decision-making skillsets
Expectations
- Adhere to established work schedule and agency policies and procedures
- Provide technical assistance to chemists and laboratory staff in conducting online research upon request, preparing samples for analysis, and participating in laboratory analysis of various specimens
- Provide administrative assistance when necessary
- Follow all laboratory safety guidelines and regulations
The New York (NY) Laboratory provides scientific and forensic testing that helps CBP enforce trade and narcotics laws, detect and intercept weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and other hazardous materials, and protect intellectual property rights. The laboratory is organized into seven branches including Textile, Inorganic, Special Products, Food/Organics, Forensics, WMD/Mobile Operations, and Mission Support. Scientific services include analysis of a full range of commodities from inorganics, organic chemicals and products, food, petroleum, textiles, footwear, raw sugar, polymers, plastics, and paper. Forensic services include controlled substance analysis, latent fingerprint examination and processing, and digital forensics from data collection of electronics devices. The laboratory’s work includes the investigation, analysis, and interpretation of the composition, physical and chemical properties, molecular structure and chemical reactions of substances; the prediction of transformation they undergo; and the amount of matter and energy included in these transformations.
How to Apply: Send your resume, transcripts, and a statement of purpose to: NYLABrecruit@cbp.dhs.gov
Location: Newark, NJ
Qualifications
- Strong interest in analytical chemistry and/or forensic chemistry
- Experience conducting laboratory experiments
- Good written and oral communication skills including laboratory result reporting and presenting
- GPA: 3.0 minimum
Expectations
- Adhere to established work schedule and agency policies and procedures.
- Provide technical assistance to chemists and laboratory staff in conducting online research upon request, preparing samples for analysis, and participating in laboratory analysis of various specimens.
- Provide administrative assistance when necessary.
- Follow all laboratory safety guidelines and regulations.
For maximum availability full-time opportunities will be available in the summer while part-time opportunities will be available year-round. For more details or to apply please contact NYLABrecruit@cbp.dhs.gov with your resume, cover letter, and an unofficial copy of your transcripts.
Interviews may be conducted to assess select candidates based on qualifications and fit for position.
Duties:
Work within this job series requires a scientist to apply a full range of analytical knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide finished intelligence and intelligence products in support of operations to enhance the agency mission. Typical work assignments may include:
- assisting with trade enforcement of various commodities
- producing proprietary material for training and special operations
- classification of various trade imports
- controlled substance analysis
- detection of counterfeit products and more
Interns will gain exposure to a wide variety of practical skills and experiences while developing their scientific prowess. You will perform basic laboratory procedures such as standardized tests or technical laboratory tasks. You will assist with the maintenance of laboratory records related to specific projects. You will record instrument readings, collect specified amounts, and type of samples, and take measurements. You will assist in maintaining and calibrating common laboratory equipment. You will assist higher level lab personnel in maintaining inventory of chemicals, equipment, and supplies.
Additionally, interns will serve under the tutelage of a mentor who will oversee their preparing reports, briefings, and technical writing. Interns should also expect to gain new understandings and insight into a career in federal service, law enforcement, controlled substances, international trade, intellectual property rights and more.
Established in the 1940’s, the San Juan Laboratory, is a full testing laboratory responsible for analyzing and characterizing merchandise imported into the United States territories for proper classification, as well as testing and/or processing of forensic evidence for court prosecution or intelligence. Our forensic capabilities include testing and characterization of controlled substances, the digital data extraction of electronic devices such as cellular phones and laptop computers, and the processing of evidence for latent prints lifting. The area of responsibility for the San Juan Laboratory includes all ports of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Being the only Federal Forensic Laboratory in the Caribbean, we don’t only serve CBP Officers in the frontline, but other stakeholders to include the Homeland Security Investigation’s (HSI) Agents and Task Force groups, the Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), among federal agencies. The San Juan Laboratory features a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory with all types of analytical instrumentation to include Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier-Transformed InfraRed (FTIR), Raman Spectrophotometers, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectrometer, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), among others for the for the testing of organic and inorganic compounds, textiles, polymers, and food products. Student volunteers will have an opportunity to shadow forensic chemists, learn the basic operations and maintenance of scientific instrumentation, and participate of various opportunities and projects in this laboratory.
How to Apply: Send your resume, transcripts, and a statement of purpose to lab-sj2@cbp.dhs.gov.
Location: Guaynabo, PR
Qualifications
- Strong interest in analytical chemistry and/or forensic chemistry
- Experience conducting laboratory experiments
- Good written and oral communication skills including laboratory result reporting and presenting
- GPA: 3.0 minimum
- Preferred: GCMS, DART-MS, NMR, IR, RAMAN experience is preferred but not required
Research and Training Objectives
Under the guidance of a mentor, training opportunities may include:
- Gain experience working in an accredited chemical forensic laboratory
- Operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of GC-MS, GC-FID, NMR, FTIR, RAMAN, XRF, XRD instruments
- Preparation of complex analytical samples by various extractions
- Data processing, spectral interpretation and analysis through complex software
- Report and present analytical findings to stakeholders
Expectation
- Adhere to established work schedule and agency policies and procedures
- Provide technical assistance to chemists and laboratory staff in conducting online research upon request, preparing samples for analysis, and participating in laboratory analysis of various specimens
- Provide administrative assistance when necessary
- Follow all laboratory safety guidelines and regulations
Established in July 2006, the SWRSC provides technical and scientific support to the Southwest Border from Arizona to Texas. SWRSC features a state-of-the-art laboratory that provides scientific and forensic testing that supports CBP’s law enforcement and trade missions. Law enforcement forensic services include analyses of controlled substances, latent print examinations, digital data extraction, crime scene processing, manufacture of canine training aids, and analyses of petroleum products (trade). SWRSC works closely with the Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Minerals Centers of Excellence and Expertise (PNGM CEE) and specializes in trade enforcement regarding foreign trade zones, classification, and country of origin for petroleum products. SWRSC supports CBP canine programs by producing high-quality training aids to support training, certification, and continuous maintenance for CBP drug detection canine capability. SWRSC employs qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques, as well as chemical odor profiling, to select training aid materials, and works closely with CBP canine experts to assess their stability and effectiveness in the field. Student volunteers will have an opportunity to participate various opportunities and projects and shadow the work of chemists in this laboratory.
How to Apply: Send your resume, transcripts, and a statement of purpose to LAB-HT2@cbp.dhs.gov.
Location: Houston, TX
Qualifications
- Strong interest in analytical chemistry and/or forensic chemistry
- Experience conducting laboratory experiments
- Good written and oral communication skills including laboratory result reporting and presenting
- GPA: 3.0 minimum
- Preferred: Instrumentation –GC-MS, GC-FID, NMR, IR, IC-OES, SPME/GC-MS experience is preferred but not required.
Research and Training Objectives
Under the guidance of a mentor, training opportunities may include:
- Gain experience working in an accredited chemical forensic laboratory
- Operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of GC-MS, GC-FID, NMR, IR, ICP-OES, SPME/GC-MS instruments
- Preparation of complex analytical samples by various extractions
- Data processing and analysis through complex software
- Report and present analytical findings to stakeholders
- Method research and development
Expectations
- Adhere to established work schedule and agency policies
- Provide technical assistance to chemists and laboratory staff in conducting online research, preparing samples for analysis, and participating in laboratory analysis of various specimens
- Provide administrative assistance when necessary
- Follow all laboratory safety guidelines and regulations
Established in October 2018, the INTERDICT Science Center (Integrated Narcotics Trafficking Evaluation and Response Center for Detecting International Chemical Threats), operations as CBP’s “Center of Excellence” for synthetic narcotics, responsible for analyzing and characterizing new and emerging chemical threats seized by CBP frontline operators and other stakeholders. The INTERDICT Science Center features a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory with a specialized focus on the identification and characterization of new synthetic opioids and other narcotics as well as using computational chemistry to reverse engineer the unknown structures of novel psychoactive substances (NPSs). The INTERDICT Science Center also currently develops and maintains spectral libraries, with newly identified and characterized synthetic narcotics, for field-deployable presumptive detection equipment used by CBP officers and agents. Student volunteers will have an opportunity to shadow chemists and participate various opportunities and projects in this laboratory.
How to Apply: Send your resume, transcripts, and a statement of purpose to LAB-INTERDICT@cbp.dhs.gov.
Location: Ashburn, VA
Qualifications
- Strong interest in analytical chemistry and/or forensic chemistry Experience conducting laboratory experiments
- Good written and oral communication skills including laboratory result reporting and presenting
- GPA: 3.0 minimum
- Preferred: GCMS, DART-MS, NMR, IR, RAMAN experience is preferred but not required
Research and Training Objectives
Under the guidance of a mentor, training opportunities may include:
- Gain experience working in an accredited chemical forensic laboratory
- Operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of GCMS, DART-MS, NMR, IR, and RAMAN instruments
- Preparation of complex analytical samples by various extractions
- Data processing and analysis through complex software
- Report and present analytical findings to stakeholders
- Method research and development aimed at characterizing and quantifying NPSs
Expectation
- Adhere to established work schedule and agency policies and procedures
- Provide technical assistance to chemists and laboratory staff in conducting online research upon request, preparing samples for analysis, and participating in laboratory analysis of various specimens
- Provide administrative assistance when necessary
- Follow all laboratory safety guidelines and regulations
The LSS Interdiction Technology Branch (ITB) is the engineering, technology assessment, digital forensic, and innovation wing of LSS, staffed by physical scientists, engineers, and digital forensic experts. ITB provides CBP with a technical capability that ensures CBP frontline mission operators have the best and most advanced high- technology law enforcement equipment available. ITB frontline support provides technology assessments and deployments, performance testing, and forensic testing for law enforcement operations in the areas of Digital Forensics, Inspection Technologies, and Innovation Technologies that enable CBP’s mission operations. The student volunteers will have an opportunity to shadow and support the mission work of ITB engineers, scientists, digital forensic analysts, and program managers, participating in a variety of opportunities and projects.
How to Apply
Send your resume, transcripts, and a statement of purpose to LAB-ITB@cbp.dhs.gov
Location
Washington, DC and/or Ashburn, VA
Qualifications
- Strong interest in analytical chemistry, forensic science, engineering, digital forensics, and/or data science.
- GPA: 3.0 minimum.
- Interest in learning about new technologies and how they get incorporated to CBP’s mission space.
- Organization skills, technical writing, and data processing are highly encouraged.
Research and Training Objectives
Under the guidance of a mentor, training opportunities may include, but not limited to:
- Test and Evaluation – Testing the performance and suitability of state-of-the-art technologies in the fields of chemical analysis, non-intrusive inspection, innovation, and digital forensics.
- Data Visualization - Data processing and analysis through complex software to assist with acquisition, business logic, database management, data tagging, quality control, informatics, and data story-telling.
- Written and Oral Communication - Report and present analytical findings to stakeholders.
- Applied Research - Method research and development within the fields of data visualization, digital forensics, and testing technologies.
- Digital Forensics - Testing and evaluating different digital forensics targets and supply support to team leaders and management.
- Process Improvement - Create new standard operating procedures on different operations, processes, and trainings within ITB’s mission space.
Expectations
- Adhere to established work schedule and agency policies
- Provide technical assistance to chemists and laboratory staff in conducting online research, preparing samples for analysis, and participating in laboratory analysis of various specimens
- Provide administrative assistance when necessary
- Follow all laboratory safety guidelines and regulations
