§ 330. Vermont Internship Program
(a) A Vermont Internship Program is created:
(1) to attract persons to train for and then serve State government in occupations where
the State anticipates difficulty attracting or retaining qualified employees;
(2) to provide an enriched experience designed to bring trainees to full class performance
levels in a logical and systematic manner;
(3) to support equal employment opportunity; and
(4) to provide upward mobility, lateral movement, or other opportunities for current employees
who have demonstrated high potential.
(b) Position authorization.
(1) [Expired.]
(2) The positions may be created in response to real or anticipated recruitment and retention
difficulties or in instances where the Commissioner has determined the State’s needs
for individuals to serve in a certain position will best be met through the Vermont
Internship Program.
(3) Each position authorized by the Commissioner shall be established for a specific period
of time not to exceed five years. In accordance with the approved plan, or where
the Commissioner deems it appropriate, Vermont Internship Program positions shall
revert to the Commissioner for reallocation.
(4) Departments or agencies shall use existing monetary resources to fund the positions
created under this section.
(5) Requests for positions under the Vermont Internship Program shall be in a form and
following procedures prescribed by the Commissioner. All requests shall certify that
all reasonable efforts shall be made to ensure a vacant position will be available
to each Vermont Internship Program participant upon completion of the program.
(c) Eligibility.
(1) Any person shall be eligible to compete for participation in the Vermont Internship
Program.
(2) Outreach efforts shall be extended appropriately to ensure that all segments of the
qualified populace are informed about opportunities to apply and compete for these
vacancies on the basis of merit.
(d) Selection and retention.
(1) Departments and agencies have final responsibility for selection of Vermont Internship
Program candidates using criteria and procedures to be issued by the Department of
Human Resources.
(2) Departments shall make a diligent effort to select Vermont internship participants
from among applicants who are State employees.
(3) A Vermont Internship Program employee must maintain a satisfactory performance rating
at all times for job-training activities, must receive at least a grade of C (or its
equivalent) in classes taken as part of the Vermont Internship Program plan, and,
if enrolled in any degree program, must maintain minimum requirements by the educational
institution.
(e) Development of candidates.
(1) All Vermont Internship Program members shall have individual development plans approved
by the Commissioner of Human Resources.
(2) The actual developmental systems used, whether job rotation, special projects, details,
or progressively more difficult tasks, education, and training, shall form part of
the individual development plans.
(3) The department or agency making use of a Vermont Internship Program shall conduct
regular reviews of performance and progression of capabilities and shall submit written
documentation of this on a form and using procedures provided for by the Commissioner
of Human Resources.
(f) Rights of Vermont Internship Program members.
(1) Vermont Internship Program participants shall be deemed to be classified State employees
in their initial probationary period for the entire period of their participation,
and continuation of one’s training in Vermont Internship Programs shall be in the
discretion of the appointing authority. They shall be paid the minimum rate for comparable
positions in the classified service, unless otherwise authorized by the Commissioner
of Human Resources.
(2) Vermont Internship Program participants shall agree to work in a State position consistent
with the approved plan after completion of the planned Vermont internship for a period
of time equal to the length of Vermont Internship Program participation. Any Vermont
Internship Program member who does not satisfy this requirement shall reimburse the
State for all tuition, fees, and expenses paid by the State in connection with Vermont
Internship Program participation, including salary paid during periods of paid educational
leave, unless waived by the Commissioner of Human Resources.
(3) Unless authorized by the approved plan, Vermont Internship Program participants shall
participate in on-the-job training of at least 20 hours per week. They are eligible
for State classified medical and life insurance plans as well as leave benefits in
the same manner and to the same extent as State employees working similar schedules.
(4) Upon satisfactory completion of the Vermont Internship Program, the participants shall
be eligible for noncompetitive appointment to a vacant position consistent with the
approved plan, which shall be made available by the participating department unless
waived by the Commissioner of Human Resources.
(5) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in sections 455 et seq. of this title,
upon completion of a State employment commitment described in subdivision (2) of this
subsection, such employee shall receive State employment retirement credit for all
Vermont Internship Program time.
(6) A classified State employee who accepts an appointment to the Vermont Internship Program
shall be entitled to a leave of absence in the same manner and to the same extent
as if he or she had accepted appointment to an exempt position in State government.
(7) Vermont Internship Program members aggrieved under this section shall have right of
appeal to the Commissioner of Human Resources who shall decide.
(8) Nothing provided for in this section shall be construed to be inconsistent with or
in violation of section 310 or 312 of this title. (Added 1989, No. 80, § 1; amended 1989, No. 277 (Adj. Sess.), § 13; 2003, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 15; 2025, No. 18, § 9, eff. May 13, 2025.)