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Careers: Students

Are you ready to accomplish something really worthwhile in your career? If so, consider joining the more than 17,000 men and women of the EPA.

EPA leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts, and works to protect our health and our environment.

Numerous opportunities are available within EPA 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, D.C., laboratories, and at regional EPA locations nationwide.

Agency employees interact with:

  • industry;
  • nonprofit organizations;
  • state, local, and tribal governments; and
  • other federal agencies.

EPA's employees are highly educated and technically trained. In fact, more than 50 percent are engineers, scientists and policy analysts. They are joined by many other talented individuals in scores of vital occupations, from legal and public affairs to finance and information technology.

Fellowships

Internships and Other Student Programs

Scholarships

Other Student Opportunities

Fellowships

Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF)
PMF provides a special means of entry into the federal service for candidates who have completed all graduate degree requirements. Career development is emphasized and participants will be exposed to a variety of work assignments. This program is managed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). An application may be obtained from your graduate school or placement office. For further information, call OPM at (202) 606- 2525, or visit the OPM Web site. You can also read biographies of EPA employees who are current or former PMF Fellows (PDF) (8 pp., 45 KB, about PDF).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. Exit EPA disclaimer

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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/.Exit Disclaimer

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Student Programs

EPA Environmental Careers Program
ECP, previously named the EPA Intern Program, is a comprehensive, entry-level, professional, full-time, career development program. It involves an intensive two-year assignment to help college graduates jump-start their careers and develop their potential for future advancement within the Agency. The ECP seeks graduates with a bachelor’s or higher level degree in a variety of academic disciplines, including physical and life sciences, business, finance, computer sciences, policy and public administration. Participating EPA offices will post their specific ECP job announcements on EPA at USAJobs each fall. For updates, email EPA-InternProgram@epa.gov.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.
  • Student Services Contracts

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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)Exit EPAto 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.

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Resident Research Associateship 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  Exit EPA Disclaimer  operates this program nationally.

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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/applications/epa Exit EPA disclaimer

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Other Student Opportunities

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