Presidential Management Internship Program

President Carter established the Presidential Management Intern (PMI) Program in 1977 by Executive Order to attract to the Federal Service outstanding individuals from a wide variety of graduate and academic disciplines who are interested in and committed to a career in federal government. PMIs receive an initial two-year full time excepted service appointment, after which they are eligible for conversion to a permanent federal government position.

The PMI Program is a government-wide program administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). While PMIs are ultimately hired by individual agencies for their two-year appointment, the nomination and selection process is conducted by OPM.

Eligibility
Individuals eligible to be nominated for the PMI Program are graduate students from a variety of academic disciplines completing or expecting to complete a master's or doctoral-level degree from an accredited college or university during the current academic year. These individuals must also have a clear interest in, and a commitment to, a career in the analysis and management of public policies and programs.

The Nomination and Selection Process
Students need to be nominated for the PMI Program by the appropriate dean, director or chairperson of their graduate academic program. Students participate in a competitive nomination process devised by their educational institution.

Once nominated, PMI candidates compete nation-wide with other eligible graduate-level students. Selection as a PMI finalist is based on review of the PMI application, and a structured assessment center process which includes evaluation of a candidate's oral and writing skills. PMIs are generally notified of their status as finalists in the spring of the year for which they have applied.

For further information regarding the PMI Program, please contact the Office of Personnel Management's USAJOBS by Phone automated system at (478) 757-3000. To speed your access through the USAJOBS by Phone teleprompt, press 1-2-4. This will take you directly to the PMI Program overview. You can also visit OPM's PMI website at www.pmi.opm.gov.

History of the PMI Program at the FBI
The FBI began its participation in the Presidential Management Intern Program (PMI) in 1987. To date it has hired over 40 PMIs for placement in the National Security, Criminal Investigative, Administrative Services and the Finance Divisions. For nearly a decade, the Bureau has looked to the PMI Program as a source of accomplished and highly qualified individuals.

The FBI - PMI Career Path
PMIs at the FBI represent a small but valued part of the Bureau's professional work force. As the program has expanded, the FBI has sought PMIs with increasingly diverse backgrounds ranging from international relations, to budget and program management, to cyber and computer technology. This diversity has allowed PMIs to contribute not only to the goals and mission of the FBI, but also to those of other U.S. Intelligence Community agencies through temporary details for specific projects at agencies such as the Department of Energy and the Department of State. Retention of converted PMIs is high: to date, a majority of the PMIs initially hired by the FBI remain with the Bureau. The FBI encourages career development for PMIs and several PMIs have already achieved management positions within the FBI and the federal government.

FBI PMI Activities
There are a variety of both formal and informal opportunities in which FBI PMIs can participate. FBI PMIs are encouraged to take advantage of the training opportunities afforded through the auspices of the PMI program, and they can pursue job-related training provided by the FBI and other government agencies. FBI PMIs have been invited to executive briefings by senior level FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) management, including the Attorney General. Further, PMIs periodically meet informally for brown bag lunches and after-work get-togethers to share experiences with fellow FBI and DOJ PMIs. The importance of both structured and informal interactions is recognized as an integral component of the PMI experience, and the FBI is continuing to develop and enhance such opportunities.

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