Competitive Benefits Package

The IRS benefits from a workforce that includes students and recent graduates, who infuse the workplace with their enthusiasm, talents, and unique perspectives.

The Pathways Program provides internship and long-term career development opportunities to student and recent graduates engaged in various fields of study. The Pathways Program provides opportunities to work and develop career-oriented skills in Information Technology, Auditing (Revenue Agents), Investigators (Criminal Investigations & Revenue Officers), Leadership and Management, Clerical, and more!

Internship Program

This program is available to students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, with full-time and part-time paid opportunities to work and explore Federal careers while still in school. Interns may be appointed to 1) positions that align with students’ academic career goals or field of study and are expected to last until participants complete their academic program requirements, with eligibility to convert to permanent positions in the competitive service upon successful completion of program; OR Interns may be appointed to 2) temporary positions expected to last less than a year, for purely temporary work (no eligibility to convert to the competitive service).

Recent Graduates Program

This one-year program is available to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. To be eligible for the program, applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion. (This period is extended for veterans precluded from doing so due to a military service obligation). Program benefits include:

• Comprehensive training and career development opportunities
• Potential for conversion to permanent positions upon successful completion of program

Click here to view the IRS Pathways Recent Graduate Positions currently being offered. If no positions are being offered at this time, consider setting up a job alert so we can notify you when they open. To set up, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/search/job-alerts.

Student Volunteer Program (SVP)

The Student Volunteer Program is designed to offer unpaid training opportunities to students in high school and college. These opportunities provide work experience related to their academic program. The program allows students to explore career options as well as develop personal and professional skills. A written agreement between the school, Departmental Offices and the student is required. Most opportunities are posted on USAJobs.gov.

We consider your service to America one of your most admirable qualities. Now, your prior military experience could qualify you to continue to serve your nation here at the IRS. With more than 80,000 employees, we have a wide variety of career opportunities for qualified applicants like you throughout the United States. So we’d like to encourage you to explore everything we have to offer — not just our careers, but also our benefits and work/life balance programs.

Virtual Information Session for Veterans and Military Spouses

Join one of our monthly virtual information sessions to learn more about our commitment to veteran and military spouse hiring and the support we'll provide once you are an IRS employee. Click on the link below to register to attend:

• Thursday, 26 September @ 1pm ET/12pm CT/11am MT/10am PT

Our Mission

The IRS Veterans Program Office is designed to provide quality training and work experience to wounded warriors and veterans by offering various non-paid internship opportunities within the IRS as well as helping veterans who qualify for one or more of the three special hiring authorities to become gainfully employed within the IRS.

Veterans' Preference

Veterans' Preference gives special consideration to eligible veterans in federal employment. Veterans who are disabled, or who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns, are entitled to preference over non-veterans. If a numerical rating system is used to evaluate applications for employment, an additional 5 or 10 points are added to the overall score of qualified preference eligible veterans. If a quality factor rating system is used, such as best qualified, highly qualified, and qualified, the veteran preference eligible is placed at the top of their assigned category rating with disabled veterans (i.e., those with at least 10% service-connected disability) placed at the top of the highest quality category (exceptions may apply) based on the job-related assessment tool(s). Preference points may also be added for the spouse of a disabled veteran, widow/widowers of deceased veterans, and the parents of a deceased veteran. For more information, visit: Vets - OPM.gov.

Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans

Special Hiring Authorities for veterans are just that…designed for veterans. Knowing about these authorities and identifying your eligibility will enhance your job search. Some of the most common non-competitive placement authorities for veterans include:

• Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
• 30% or More Disabled Veteran
• Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA)
• Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule-A Appointing Authority)

For detailed information about Veterans' Preference and Federal hiring authorities for veterans, please visit Vets - OPM.gov. 

Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointing Authority

The Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointing Authority allows agencies to appoint certain military spouses without using traditional competitive examining procedures. Agencies can choose to use this authority when filling competitive service positions on a temporary (not to exceed 1 year), term (more than 1 year but not more than 4 years), or permanent basis. The authority does not entitle spouses to an appointment over any other applicant at the Agency's discretion. 

Intern Opportunities

The IRS Veteran Program Office (VPO) manages the umbrella program, which includes the following internship opportunities available to transitioning service members and veterans. These programs are designed to provide valuable work experience, professional development, and opportunities to explore careers within the IRS. 

Operation Warfighter (OWF)

OWF provides a temporary assignment/internship opportunity, developed by the Department of War (DoW) for Recovering Service Members (RSM) that are convalescing at military treatment facilities throughout the United States. 

Service members participating in OWF continue receiving their military compensation and benefits, while gaining valuable work experience. 

Non-Paid Work Experience Program (NPWE)

Veterans participating in the Department of Veterans Affairs' NPWE program may receive a subsistence allowance while they gain valuable work experience in the IRS. 

Student Veteran Intern Program (SVIP)

Veterans in this program are currently enrolled in an accredited educational institution. 

This non-paid program allows veterans to obtain skills to supplement their military experience and college courses which will assist them with their job search upon graduating. 

DoD SkillBridge Program

The DoD SkillBridge program provides an opportunity for transitioning active-duty service members to gain valuable civilian work experience with the IRS during their last 180 days of service. 

Service members participating in this program continue receiving their military compensation and benefits, while gaining valuable work experience. 

Veteran Mentoring Program

Transitioning from military service to a civilian career requires adjustment, and the IRS understands that journey because we have been there. With more than 8,000 military veterans currently serving within the IRS workforce, we recognize the value of supporting our fellow service members as they navigate this important career transition.

To help make the transition smoother, the IRS established the Veteran Mentoring Program for current veteran employees. This program connects new and transitioning veteran employees with experienced veteran mentors who provide guidance, support, and insight from a shared military perspective. Mentors help participants better understand the difference between military and federal civilian culture, workplace expectations, and organizational procedures while offering valuable advice to support long-term career success within the IRS.

Additional Resources:

Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program (VWSTEP)

The Department of Veterans Affairs' VMSTEP program provides employment readiness assistance to transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses by providing training resources (Virtual Training Webinars & Videos) to include military skills translator tool and conducting workshops to assist with Writing Federal Resumes, Navigating USAJOBS and Interview Techniques to name a few. To get started, please visit VA for VETS: Job Seeker - Training and Resources.

The Department of Labor's Veteran and Military Transition Center provides dynamic, easy-to-use tools to translate your military experience into marketable skills, to help create civilian resumes and search for jobs. To get started, please visit CareerOneStop Veteran and Military Transition Center. and VA for Vets: Job Seeker - Training and Resources.

Contact us: Veterans Program Office (VPO)

For questions about IRS employment and internship opportunities for veterans, email the VPO at: vets@irs.gov.