Work Study Student Program 2026/2027

About the role

The Library of Congress Work Study Student Program is a progressive, career development program for local high school students. It combines on-the-job training and career development with classroom instructions and education. Under the program, students earn a federal salary, receive work site supervision and career assistance.

Students will get the chance to work part-time when school is in session with the possibility of full-time employment during school breaks.

What you will do

• This program offers high school students insights into the environment and culture of the world's largest and most comprehensive repository of human knowledge.
• Work Study Students will be exposed to a broad spectrum of library work: copyright, preservation, reference, access standards, and information management.
• Please see the list of required documents below.
• Incomplete applications will disqualify you from the program.
• For more details about the Work Study Student Program, click here: ***

Requirements

• Students enrolled in a Work-Based Learning Program are given preference Homeschooled students must have completed 70% of their high school studies To be considered for a position students MUST submit ALL required documents For a student to be eligible to submit an application for the Library of Congress Work Study Student Program they must meet the following requirements.
• Must be a US Citizen Must be enrolled in their Junior or Senior year of high school studies at a local high school not more than 45 minutes commute to worksite Must be available for work Monday - Friday 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. OR Monday - Friday 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. - available from August 19, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
• Must be least 16 years of age Must be eligible for a Work Permit OR 18 years old Must be in good standing with high school grades Must be in good standing with previous employers or supervisors at volunteer positions Must demonstrate positive behavior at high school and work environments Must recommended by the appropriate high school officials through required e-mail procedure (see Required Documents section of vacancy for e-mail procedure) Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana.
• The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library.
• In addition, past drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

Education

Students who are homeschooled must have completed 70% of their high school studies at the time of application as demonstrated on school transcript.

How you will be evaluated

You must provide all the Required Documents.

Completed Application through USAJOBS and federal resume attached to USAJOBS application.: Please note, there is no page restriction to your resume, and you are allowed to upload a resume longer than two pages in the resume section within the application process. When the application system prompts, please proceed to the agency site to complete your application.

Cover letter stating professional objectives; include language abilities and additional skills, if relevant. Latest transcript from the current high school. (Report card and schedule of registered classes for the upcoming high school year is acceptable in place of transcript).

Letter of recommendation, from the appropriate high school Coordinator or high school counselor. Completed application packages will be forwarded to selecting officials in the Library who will arrange telephone and in-person interviews with promising applicants, based on the application package and desired skills.

Failure to include these required documents will result in disqualification.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• Please be sure to submit ALL Required Documents.
• If any documents are missing, your application will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified.
• REQUIRED - Completed application through USAJOBS and federal resume attached to USAJOBS application.
• REQUIRED - Cover letter stating professional objectives; include language abilities and additional skills, if relevant 3.
• REQUIRED - Latest transcript from the current high school.
• (Report card and schedule of registered classes for the upcoming high school year is acceptable in place of transcript) 4.
• REQUIRED - Letter of recommendation, from the appropriate high school Work-Based Learning Coordinator or high school counselor.
• In the letter of recommendation, the Coordinator or counselor MUST assume responsibility for monitoring student's progress, attest to the applicant's proficiency, reliability and the feasibility of his/her carrying out assignments.
• Letter of recommendation MUST be emailed from the high school e-mail address of the Work-Based Learning Coordinator or counselor.
• E-mail letter to: ***.
• The subject line MUST READ: Work Study Student Recommendation letter for [full name of applicant/student].

What to expect next

Please review our evaluation process under "How You Will Be Evaluated." You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications". You will receive final notification via e-mail when this vacancy has been filled. Selection Process: Applications Received 1.

Student applications are received 2. Applications are reviewed for completeness and incomplete applications are disqualified Applicant is Interviewed 1. Work Study Student Position becomes available 2.

Hiring Manager calls student applicants for interview 3. Hiring Manager interviews student applicants 4. Students receive an update from their Hiring Manager shortly after the interview if they have been selected for a position.

Students who have not received calls or e-mails have not been selected and remain in the pool of student applicants for consideration for other Work Study Student positions when they become available. Applicant is Hired 1. Human Resources calls student applicant to offer the position and sends out Official Offer Letter to student, Vocational Teacher, and Hiring Manager 2.

Student reports to jobsite for first day of employment

Additional information

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities.

If a student needs a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position.

The date of certification must be within one year of the vacancy closing date. For more information contact the selective placement program coordinator at *** or email ***. The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government.

As such, all positions are in the excepted service. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.