Overview 

The Centers for Medicare Services (CMS) values the contributions made by students and recent graduates of all backgrounds. We continually benefit from a diverse workforce that includes students and recent graduates who infuse the workplace with their enthusiasm, talents, and unique perspectives. The Pathways Programs include three separate tiers, the Internship program, the Recent Graduates Program, and the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program. CMS also uses the Student Volunteer Program to fill non-paid internship positions.  A full description of each program may be found below.

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Recent Graduates Program - OPENING SOON!!

The Spring 2022 Recent Graduates Program vacancy announcement will be posted on USA Jobs from February - April 2022.  The tentative posting schedule is below, though dates are subject to change.  Please keep an eye on this page for updates to the schedule, and the direct links to the vacancies as they open!  Typically, Recent Graduate vacancy announcements are open for 5 business days. However, some announcements may include an applicant cut-off number; which means the vacancy would close at midnight on the day the cut-off number is reached, or the posted closing date, whichever is sooner.

• CLOSED Accountant (GS-510-7/9) - Closing date 2/18/22: Duties may include providing technical and operational guidance to staff in the processing of accounting documents, formulating a variety of routine financial reports, and assisting senior accounting or financial management professionals.
• CLOSED Management Analyst (GS-343-7/9) - Closing date 2/28/22: Duties may include assisting with correspondence, briefing materials, responses to inquiries, and conducting studies to evaluate the effectiveness of administrative or operational policies.
• CLOSED Health Insurance Specialist (GS-107-7/9) - Closing date 3/7/22: Duties may include reviewing and revising healthcare policies, analyzing data, conducting studies, and assisting team members with projects.
• CLOSED Contract Specialist (GS-1102-7/9) - Closing date 3/11/22: Duties may include reviewing requisitions and determining appropriate method of procurement, analyzing requests for contracts, and preparing solicitation documents and recommendations for award.
• CLOSED Social Science Research Analyst (GS-101-7/9) - Closing Date 3/25/22: Duties may include conducting studies or surveys, analyzing data, responding to inquiries, and assisting with development of program policies.
• CLOSED Financial Management Specialist (GS-501-9) Closing Date 4/8/22: Duties may include providing guidance in the process of processing of accounting documents, formulating a variety of routine financial reports, and analysis of various accounting policies and regulations.
• CLOSED Auditor (GS-511-7/9) - Closing Date 4/15/22: Duties may include coordinating and performing audits of accounting and operational functions, and drafting reports which present findings, identifying causative situations, and recommending corrective action.
• CLOSED Product Development Specialist (GS-301-7/9) - Closing Date 4/15/22: Duties may include serving as a liaison between the customer and the development team to assist them in working together to translate customer language into product features that meet the needs of users, and using basic knowledge of Agile development methodologies to track and monitor the progress of product development and delivery efforts.
• CLOSED Health Communications Specialist (GS-1001-7/9) - Closing date 5/27/22: Duties may include working with integrating communication and marketing programs and interventions (i.e., drafts materials for campaign/program audiences, including the news media) and formulating priorities, strategies, and practices for communicating with various audiences (e.g., general public, underserved populations, and populations at risk).
• CLOSED Statistician (GS-1530-9) - Closing date 6/10/22: Duties may include presenting analysis to team members or managers to enable greater understanding of programmatic or business performance, trends, and issues.

About

The Recent Graduates Program affords participants developmental experiences at CMS intended to promote possible careers to individuals who have recently graduated within the previous two years from qualifying educational institutions. This one-year program is designed to provide an opportunity to those individuals who lack experience to participate in Federal government jobs, enabling them to develop on the job as they establish their career. Successful candidates are placed in a developmental program with the potential to lead to permanent employment at CMS.

Eligibility

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National to apply for this position.
• You must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• You must meet all program, qualification and education requirements.
• You will be subject to a background and suitability investigation.
• You must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement before starting employment.
• Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
• Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree or certificate completion to apply.

How to Apply

Recruitment for the CMS Recent Graduates Program will take place through vacancy announcements posted on www.USAJobs.gov.  When available, the announcements may be found by performing a keyword search of “CMS Recent Graduate” on the USA Jobs website.  A full description of the program, qualification, and application requirements will be found in the vacancy announcements, so please read carefully. Candidates must submit a complete application online through the appropriate vacancy announcement(s) for consideration by the closing date.  Pay close attention to the qualification requirements, as students who are nearing graduation may be eligible to apply.

CMS Internship Opportunities - Paid Summer Intern Program 

About

The Internship Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service. 

The 12-week internship is designed to enhance students' knowledge about CMS programs, mission, vision and goals; and seeks to familiarize participants about Federal, State, and local health care programs. 

Eligibility

• U.S. Citizenship required
• GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Current students in an accredited college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate.

CMS utilizes the Pathways Internship Program through our Annual Summer Intern Program.

All of the 2022 Summer Intern Program vacancy announcements have now closed.  Please be on the lookout for our 2023 Summer Intern Program announcements in early January 2023.  

After you Apply

To verify the status of your application after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

 

Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program

The Presidential Management Fellows Program is a flagship leadership development program at the entry-level for advanced degree candidates. Created more than three decades ago, the program attracts and selects from among the best candidates and is designed to develop a cadre of potential Federal Government leaders. Here are some key provisions of the PMF Program.

Eligibility

• Individuals who have completed within the past two years, a qualifying advanced degree (e.g., masters or professional degree) or who will meet advanced degree requirements by August 31 of the year following the annual application announcement.
• An individual may apply for the PMF Program more than once as long as he or she meets the eligibility criteria. However, if an individual becomes a Finalist and subsequently applies for the PMF Program during the next open announcement, the individual will forfeit his or her status as a Finalist.

How to Apply

Please visit www.pmf.gov for program information and application procedures.

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Student Volunteer Program

The Student Volunteer Program provides for a supervised, structured educational program that integrates classroom learning with productive work experience in a field related to the student’s academic majors or career goals.  This non-paid internship program allows students to gain first-hand knowledge and experience of theories taught in the classroom.

Eligibility

The student must meet the following requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Be at least 16 years of age;
• Be enrolled at least half-time in a high school, vocational technical school, an accredited educational institution of higher learning (college/university), or a certificate program.

How to Apply

Students may send an email with a resume (including anticipated graduation date) and unofficial transcript to StudentVolunteers@cms.hhs.gov.  The subject line of the email should read "CMS Student Volunteer Program", and the body of the email should include the preferred geographic location.