Position Summary: The VA History Office is seeking a remote Work Study participant for the Fall 2026 semester. Program requirements require enrollment in a degree program at a minimum ¾ time schedule for the full semester. Our goal is to provide students with meaningful work experience that is beneficial to both the student and the VA History Office. Students will work under the direction of the VA Chief Historian, VA Administration Historians, and the History Office’s Research Historian. Depending on their chosen project, students may also have the opportunity to work with VA’s Curator and Senior Archivist. Students will participate in weekly meetings and provide regular updates on their work. Students may work up to 25 hours per week during their enrollment period. It may be possible to extend the Work Study beyond the initial semester, depending on project needs, enrollment status, and abilities demonstrated during the initial semester. Successful participation can provide valuable experience for students seeking careers in Federal service.

About VA’s History Office: VA’s History Office was established in 2020 and is focused on documenting the unique relationship between the Nation and its Veterans as viewed through the lens of VA and its predecessor organizations. This rich history encompasses our full spectrum of interaction with Veterans over the history of the United States, from medical care and disability benefits to memorial services. This history speaks to the mission of VA’s three primary administrations: the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration. The History Office is also responsible for establishing the National VA History Center (NVAHC). The Center will host a public museum and a research archive on the 19th-century grounds of the Dayton VA campus, which was founded in 1867 as one of the first National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, a predecessor of the present-day VA. Additional information on the History Office and examples of our work can be found at: https://department.va.gov/history/.

Position Description: This Work Study is focused on historical research and writing and is well suited for students in History or closely-related fields. Participants will contribute to the VA History Office by creating written and digital media products in support of the VA history initiative. The history of VA is unique in scope and frequently bridges into military, social, political, economic, scientific/medical, and cultural history specialties. The Work Study requires remote, digital research, using internet accessible public archives to locate historic materials and images. No expenses will be paid for in-person research, for access to internet services, or for subscription-based research platforms. Access to selected fee-based research services will be provided through VA History Office organizational subscription accounts. Examples of projects include:

  • Researching and writing publishable historical articles (~800-1,200 words each) for the VA History website.
  • Writing in-depth histories for individual VA offices (e.g. Office of General Counsel, Office of General Management, etc.).
  • Creating a legislative timeline outlining the major laws and/or policies concerning Veterans and VA from 1776 to the present.
  • Writing facility histories for individual VA medical centers. (For an example of these histories, see https://www.va.gov/salt-lake-city-health-care/about-us/history/.)
  • Researching historical celebrity visits to VA facilities. This will involve conducting outreach to individual facilities throughout the country and compiling information into a published product.
  • Writing submissions for “Today in VA History” entries (~200 words each) and/or preparing entries based on existing website content.
  • Researching, editing, expanding, and locating additional images for existing articles.
  • Creating other VA history products such as podcasts, short videos, and/or interactive displays, based on the student’s interests and prior experience with these mediums.

Eligibility: To be eligible for this Work Study program, students must be receiving VA education benefits and be enrolled at least ¾-time in a degree-seeking program. Additional information on eligibility and the application process can be found at: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/work-study/.

Compensation: Work Study participants are paid through the Veterans Benefits Administration and work hours will be certified by the VA History Office. Participants will be paid the minimum wage of Washington, D.C., which is where the VA History Office is located. The minimum wage for D.C. is $17.95, as of March 2026. VA will pay you for each completed 50-hour period or every other week, whichever comes first.

Start Date: Selected students have the option to begin their Work Study up to 30 days prior to their semester’s start date. They may also have the option to begin their Work Study at the start of the Summer semester, as long as they are enrolled at least ¾-time.

Location: This work study program will be entirely remote.

Preferred Skills: The ideal candidate is a graduate student (or talented undergraduate) in History, Public History, Museum Studies, or Marketing. Applicants should have experience in historical research and a proven ability to complete projects independently with minimal supervision. Applicants should also be able to work as part of a team. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be willing to furnish writing samples upon request.

How to Apply: Applications for the Fall 2026 semester are due April 30, and should be submitted via email to VAHistoryOffice@va.gov and Jordan.Mcintire@va.gov. Please include a CV, a list of three references, and a cover letter that addresses why you are interested in this position and a project that may be of interest to you. Interviews will be conducted throughout May, and final selections will be made by June 1.

Questions regarding this program may also be directed to the above emails.