Jobs › Fermilab

VALOR Apprenticeship Spring 2027

Fermilab · Batavia, IL · $15.97–$19.48 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 23, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Fermilab

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about your military or JROTC experience and what you're proudest of from it.

What they are checking: Whether they can describe their background with concrete examples that show reliability and growth.

Which area interests you most here: technical work, computing, business, or safety? Why?

What they are checking: Whether they have thought about their placement and can connect it to their goals.

Tell me about a time you learned a new skill quickly.

What they are checking: Whether they can pick things up fast, which a six-month apprenticeship depends on.

Tell me about a time you worked with a team to complete a goal.

What they are checking: Whether they work well with others, which they will need across lab groups.

How do you follow safety rules when no one is watching?

What they are checking: Whether safety is a personal habit, which matters on a national lab site.

What do you want to be doing in two years, and how does this program help?

What they are checking: Whether they see the apprenticeship as a step in a career plan.

Tell me about a mistake you made and what you learned from it.

What they are checking: Whether they own errors and learn from them, which shows readiness for training.

What would you do

How would you explain a skill you learned in the military to someone who has never served?

What they are checking: Whether they can translate their experience into civilian terms, which helps their career after the program.

You're given a task you don't understand and your mentor is busy. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they ask for help in a smart way and avoid guessing on lab equipment.

About the work

What hands-on work with equipment, tools or computers have you done?

What they are checking: Whether they have basic skills to build on in fabrication, testing, IT or databases.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Fermilab from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Fermilab.

The expected hiring range for this position is: $15.97-$19.48. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. The VALOR Apprenticeship is a highly competitive, paid, six-month fall/spring training and career exploration program for military veterans at the beginning of their civilian careers and recent Illinois JROTC high school graduates. During the program, participants build and enhance their technical, computing, or business proficiencies. Assuming apprentice-level expertise, general military experience and/or knowledge based on academic study, the opportunity offers a wide range of placement options. The apprenticeship may allow the participant to fabricate, assemble, calibrate, operate, test, repair or modify electronic or mechanical equipment, systems, devices, or databases. Exposures may also include experiences with information technology, procurement, or environmental, safety and health. Eligibility • Military Veteran or JROTC high school graduate • Proof of identity • Eligibility to work in the U.S. Application Requirements Before applying have all requirements ready. Once submitted, access to the application will no longer be available to upload any missing requirements. • Online application – Application Walkthrough Video Guide • Resume • DD-214 Forms (save as pdf, upload under the Resume section) Internship Details • Program Dates: February 8, 2027 – August 6, 2027 • Application Dates: September 23, 2026 – October 29, 2027 • Offer Date: December 1, 2026 • Acceptance Date: December 7, 2026 • Salary: $20.00 per hour • Housing: A housing stipend is available for eligible interns • Transportation: Reimbursement for one round trip domestic flight or mileage reimbursement at the allowable rate for eligible interns • Location: Internship is in-person onsite in Batavia, IL & Fermilab Installations Deliverables • Oral presentation • Exit Survey Why Fermilab: Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole. Pre-Employment Screening: Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug-free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening. HSPD-12 In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment. Foreign Government Sponsored Activities Fermilab employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab's Office of General Counsel. REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf . If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview. Equal Opportunity Statement Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

Apply at Fermilab