About the role#
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service is seeking an Investigative Data Analyst for a volunteer project. This role supports federal missions through hands-on research and data analysis. Please note this is an unpaid volunteer position and does not provide compensation or federal employee status.
What you'll do#
- Conduct research and review data related to criminal investigation metrics and food safety violations.
- Write comprehensive reports based on your findings.
- Perform 5 to 20 personnel interviews to gather feedback on workplace topics.
- Analyze interview answers to identify trends and suggest improvements for employee work-life balance.
- Use predictive analytics models to find ways to reduce food safety violations by 10 to 20 percent.
What you'll need#
- Enrollment of at least half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, or university.
- Good academic standing as defined by your institution.
- Documented experience in data analytics and research.
- U.S. citizenship or status as a U.S. national.
- Ability to pass safety training and background checks.
- Availability to volunteer 8 to 20 hours per week for at least 90 days.
Location & details#
- Location: Lombard, Illinois.
- Work modality: On-site.
- Term: Rolling.
About USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture is a federal executive department. It manages government policy regarding farming, food, and agriculture. The agency works to support ranchers and farmers while promoting agricultural trade. It also oversees food safety, rural community development, and natural resource protection. The department maintains offices in Washington, DC and other locations.
How to get in at USDA
Securing an internship at the USDA requires a proactive approach to navigating federal hiring cycles. Because early applicants are often reviewed before the applicant pool becomes unmanageable, Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, helping you apply among the first. This timing can be the difference between your application being seen and getting lost in a large volume of submissions. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the recruiters behind these roles directly. Intern Insider surfaces the specific recruiters behind the USDA roles, allowing you to ask relevant questions about the position or inquire about a referral. Connecting with the right person often provides the clarity needed to stand out in a competitive government hiring process.
