Numerous opportunities are available within the Environmental Protection
Agency for students to gain vital career experience while contributing
to the mission of protecting human health and safeguarding the environment.
Internships, fellowships and other opportunities are available in Washington,
DC, laboratories, and at regional EPA locations nationwide.
Fellowships
National Network for Environmental Management
Studies (NNEMS)
A comprehensive fellowship program designed to provide students with
practical research opportunities and experiences. The projects are narrow
in scope to allow the student to complete the research by working full-time
during the summer and/or part-time during the school year. Research
fellowships are available in Environmental Policy, Regulation, and Law;
Environmental Management and Administration; Environmental Science;
Public Relations and Communications; and Computer Programming and Development.
NNEMS fellows receive a stipend at a level determined by the student's
level of education and the duration and location of the research project.
Fellowships are offered to undergraduate and graduate students. Students
must meet certain eligibility criteria.
The application deadline for the NNEMS Program is in the winter of
each year with all projects beginning the following summer. Complete
application information and materials can be obtained in the Career
Service Center (or equivalent) of colleges and universities; on the NNEMS Website;
by writing to: Sheri Jojokian,
NNEMS Program, US EPA (1704A), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington,
DC 20460; or by calling 1-800-358-8769.
Science to Achieve Results (STAR)
Graduate Fellowships
This program awards graduate education fellowships for master's and
doctoral level students in environmentally related fields of study.
The purpose of the fellowship program is to encourage promising students
to obtain advanced degrees and pursue careers in environmental fields.
Master's level students may receive support for a maximum of two years.
Doctoral students may be supported for a maximum of three years with
funding available, under certain circumstances, over a period of four
years. The application period starts in the summer and remains open
for 3 months.
For more information contact Stephanie
Willett, USEPA, Office of Research and Development, National Center
for Environmental Research or visit www.epa.gov/ncer/fellow.
Greater Research Opportunities
(GRO) Graduate Fellowships
The GRO fellowship program helps build capacity in universities with
limited funding for research by awarding graduate fellowships to students
in environmental fields. The purpose of the fellowship program is to
encourage promising students to obtain advanced degrees and pursue careers
in environmental fields.
Master's level students may receive support for a maximum of two years.
Doctoral students may be supported for a maximum of three years with
funding available, under certain circumstances, over a period of four
years. The application period starts in the summer and remains open
for 3 months.
For more information contact Stephanie
Willett, USEPA, Office of Research and Development, National Center
for Environmental Research or visit www.epa.gov/ncer/fellow.
Greater Research
Opportunities (GRO) Undergraduate Fellowships
The GRO fellowship program helps build capacity in universities with
limited funding for research by awarding undergraduate fellowships to
students in environmental fields. The purpose of the fellowship program
is to encourage promising students to obtain advanced degrees and pursue
careers in environmental fields.
Eligible students will receive support for their junior and senior
years of undergraduate study and for an internship at an EPA facility
during the summer between their junior and senior years.
For more information contact Georgette
Boddie, USEPA, Office of Research and Development, National Center
for Environmental Research or visit www.epa.gov/ncer/fellow.
Public Health Fellowships
To enhance the training of highly qualified and motivated public health
professionals, EPA has partnered with the Association of Schools of
Public Health (ASPH) to offer a professional development program for
graduates of accredited US Schools of Public Health. Graduates apply
to ASPH in December or January for one-year placements in EPA laboratories
or offices to work on high-priority, environmental, public health issues.
Applicants must be US citizens or hold a visa permitting permanent residence
in the U.S. For additional information go to: http://www.asph.org/document.cfm?page=751&JobProg_ID=1.
American Association for the Advancement
of Science (AAAS) Fellowships
Since 1981, EPA has managed the AAAS Science and Engineering Fellows
Program in cooperation with the American Association for the Advancement
of Science (AAAS). The fellowship program is designed to provide an
opportunity to learn first-hand how scientific and technological information
is used in environmental policy-making; to provide a unique public policy
learning experience; to demonstrate the value of science, technology,
and economics in addressing societal problems; and to make practical
contributions to the more effective use of scientific and technical
knowledge in the programs of the U.S. government. Fellows will work
in offices throughout the EPA on projects of mutual interest to the
Fellows and the hosting offices. Applications are accepted by AAAS in
the fall of each year. For more information go to the AAAS fellowship
site: http://fellowships.aaas.org/02_Programs/02_Environment.shtml.
Student Programs
Student Services Contractor
The Research and Development team offers a unique and exciting career
opportunity for students seeking scientific or administrative services
experience in support of our mission. This opportunity is open to individuals
at least 18 years old who are currently enrolled in a degree program
at a recognized educational institution or are recent graduates (within
one year of graduation for BS and MS degrees and two years of graduation
for post docs). By means of flexible Personal Services Contracts, students
are hired as Student Services Contractors to work with our various laboratories,
research centers and offices located across the country. Student contractors
partake in an intensive hands-on employment experience over a 12-month
period (with an option for an additional 12 months) working side-by-side
with EPA mentors and/or scientists, who will provide day-to-day direction
and oversight. For more information and current openings, see: www.epa.gov/ord/orma/ssa-jobs.htm.
Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
This program offers career-related employment that will enrich your
academic experience through valuable work experience. To qualify, you
must be at least 16 years old and enrolled as a degree-seeking student.
More specifically, you must be taking at least a half-time academic
or vocational and technical course load at one of the following:
- accredited high school
- technical or vocational school, or
- a two- or four-year accredited college or university at the undergraduate,
graduate, or professional school level.
U.S. citizenship is required to be considered for a possible conversion
to permanent employment.
OECA Student Career Experience Program
(SCEP)
The Student Career Experience Program at EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) provides students with paid part-time, semester-length, seasonal, or summer trainee employment leading to non-competitive appointment to the target position upon successful completion of at least 640 hours of on-the-job training and receipt of their degree. Students may apply for positions in a variety of job series located as noted:
- General Qualifications and Benefits
- How to Apply for Student Career Experience Program Opportunities
Student Environmental Associate Program and
Diversity Initiative
The Associates selected for this program are drawn from a culturally
diverse pool of over 2000 students based on academic achievement, extracurricular
activities and stated interest in pursuing an environmental career.
To obtain an application for this program, contact:
The Environmental Careers Organization
179 South Street
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 426-4783
http://www.eco.org
Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)
This program offers temporary employment that will enable you to earn
a salary while continuing your studies. The length of these positions
can range from three months during the summer to as long as you are
a student To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 16 years
old and enrolled as a degree-seeking student. More specifically, you
must be taking at least a half-time academic or vocational and technical
course load at one of the following:
- accredited high school
- technical or vocational school, or
- a two- or four-year accredited college or university at the undergraduate,
graduate, or professional school level.
Tribal Lands Environmental Science Scholarship
Program
This program's intent is to enable Native Americans to work for the environmental
protection of tribal lands by assisting them in their pursuit of environmental
science degrees. Full-time junior, senior, and graduate students majoring
in an environmental discipline are eligible to compete for the scholarships.
Students compete based on grade-point average, knowledge of Indian culture,
commitment to environmental protection, character and leadership ability,
level of study, and work experience.
EPA works with the
American Indian Science
and Engineering Society (AISES)to
select the scholarship winners. Students wishing to apply should do so
through AISES, which has chapters on many college campuses and may be
contacted at 1630 30th Street, Suite 301, Boulder, CO 80301 or by calling
(303) 939-0023. Applications must be postmarked by June 15 of each year.
Resident Research Associate Program
This government-wide program enables post-doctoral and mid-career technical
professionals to work as visiting scientists at federal laboratories,
including EPA, for periods of up to three years. Applicants must have
a Ph.D. or equivalent. The National Research Council operates this program
nationally.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Marshall Scholarship
In recognition of the global nature of environmental challenges and
the need to pool the resources of many nations to solve environmental
problems, EPA has joined with the United Kingdom's Marshall Aid Commemoration
Commission, which has been administering the esteemed Marshall Scholarship
since 1953. Through an EPA Marshall Scholarship, up to three talented
individuals with strong backgrounds in environmentally relevant sciences
are selected each year to receive up to five years of graduate education
assistance. The first two years are supported by the UK, through a Marshall
Scholarship to a university in Great Britain. Successful candidates
may receive up to three additional years of support towards a doctoral
degree, either in England or in the US. Applications are due each year
on October 1. Go to the Marshall Scholarship web site for more information: http://www.marshallscholarship.org/applicationepa.html
