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Careers: Opportunities for College and Grad School Graduates
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.
Opportunities for graduates are available at EPA with an emphasis on career and leadership development.
Printable brochure: Internships, Fellowships and Other Student Programs at EPA (PDF) (2 pp., 115 KB, about PDF).
For College Graduates
EPA Environmental Careers Program (ECP)
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 and grad school 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.
Student Services Contracting Authority
EPA's Research and Development Office 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. View more information and current openings.
For Grad School Graduates
Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF)
This program provides a special means of entry into the federal service
for recipients of graduate degrees. Career development is emphasized
and you will be exposed to a variety of work assignments. This program
is managed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. An application
can be obtained from your graduate school or placement office. To learn
more about this program, visit pmf.opm.gov or
call OPM at (202) 606-2525. You can also read biographies of EPA employees who are current or former PMF Fellows (PDF) (8 pp., 45 KB, about PDF).
EPA Environmental Careers Program (ECP)
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 and grad school 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.
Student Services Contracting Authority
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. View more information and current openings.
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. Additional information from the Association of Schools of Public Health. 
For Post-Docs
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
operates this program
nationally.
Office of Research and Development
Post-Doctoral Program
EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) seeks candidates
to fill four-year, post-doctoral research positions. Positions focus
on the exposure and effects of environmental contaminants on human health
and the environment. The preferred candidate will have earned a Ph.D.
within the last five years or will have it awarded prior to their federal
employment start date.
The location is based on the particular disciplinary focus of the candidate and the overall requirements of the program. Applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents. View more information online or contact Ms. Dorothy Carr at carr.dorothy@epa.gov.
American Association for the Advancement
of Science (AAAS) Fellowships
Since 1981, EPA has managed the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships 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. More information is available on the AAAS fellowship site.