| Agency | Program Name & Application Link | Audience | Authority | Hiring & Job Process | Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Department of Interior |
Rising Senior Undergraduate / Graduate Students |
16 U.S. Code § 742f |
Direct Hire Authority, 11-week project that allows direct hire without competition upon graduating |
$540 weekly stipend, housing and travel costs may be provided for projects |
|
| U.S. Forest Service |
Current students, recent graduates, underserved populations |
16 U.S. Code Chapter 37, Subchapter II - Resource Assistants Code §1725 |
Direct Hire Authority, Noncompetitive Hiring Eligibility for 2 years after completion of program |
Stipend (varies), housing (varies), travel & training (varies) optional healthcare |
|
| American Association for the Advancement of Science |
Scientists, engineers, and mathematic students |
Partners with American Physical Society, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineering |
Serve for one year in the federal government through fellowship |
$75,000-$100,000 stipend, health care, and targeted travel and training |
|
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
STEM scientists (students and recent graduates) |
EPA & DOE interagency agreement |
Each year, 9000 participants are placed in labs, offices, centers, and universities across the US |
Stipends: Undergraduate $2-3k, Post BS $3-4.5k, Graduate $3.5-6.5k |
|
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) |
Graduate students interested in oceans, coastal, and Great Lakes policy work |
33 U.S.C. 1121et seq |
Direct work in legislative or executive branch of government jobs for one year |
$66,500 to cover all expenses |
|
| U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) |
Currently enrolled or recently completed an advanced degree (Master’s, PhD, JD) |
Executive Order 12008 |
Upon certification of completion, which permits immediate noncompetitive conversion to a permanent or term position and carries prestige anywhere you go thereafter |
Varies – median pay $55,000; Pre-qualified at the GS-9 level, agencies can appoint at GS-11, GS-12 levels, or equivalent |
|
| U.S. Department of Agriculture | Undergraduate & graduate students (may also have had to participate in a World Food Prize Youth Program) |
United States Department of Agriculture and the World Food Prize Foundation |
Hired as federal employees of US Dept of AG – paid on federal government’s General Schedule, full time (40 hours per week, 8 week minimum commitment) | (Est.) $70,000 | |
| U.S. Department of Energy | Graduate students enrolled in a Master’s degree program | Department of Energy and Environment (DC) – Green Fellows Leadership and Development Program | Fellows are recruited at a Grade 7/ Step 1 and participation in the Program is considered a temporary “time-limited” appointment in the Career Service position. No guaranteed employment after. | $20.72 per hour | |
| U.S. Department of Energy | Graduate students enrolled in a Master’s degree program | Department of Energy and Environment (DC) – Green Fellows Leadership and Development Program | Fellows are recruited at a Grade 7/ Step 1 and participation in the Program is considered a temporary “time-limited” appointment in the Career Service position. No guaranteed employment after. | $20.72 per hour |
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Environmental Careers & Internships
In an effort to help pave the wave for a more diverse and representative environmental workforce, researchers at American University’s Center for Environmental Policy have developed the following table to identify and help promote paid internships and fellowships in the environmental, sustainability, and natural resources fields for students and early-career professionals.
This table is designed to be a working document and regularly updated, therefore, please submit additions or corrections to CEPolicy@american.edu with the subject line "environmental internship" or submit your responses . Thank you for your contributions!
| Agency | Program Name & Application Link | Audience | Authority | Hiring & Job Process | Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality |
Undergraduate & graduate students |
Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment |
Work for the department to learn effective and efficient energy and environmental solutions |
Varies |
|
| California Water Boards |
Undergraduate & graduate students |
California State Budget |
Work with dedicated mentors on important issues including climate change, water conservation, drinking water, water quality, and groundwater |
Varies, generally lasts four months, hours vary |
|
| State of California / Sacramento State |
Completed bachelor's degree by September 1st of the fellowship year; Applicants must be 20 years of age or older by Sept. 1 |
Sacramento State |
Capital Fellows are placed at some of the highest levels of California state government and assist state legislators, senior-level executive staff, and court administrators with a broad range of public policy issues and projects |
Monthly stipend of $2,964, as well as medical, dental and vision benefits; fully-paid enrollment and earn six graduate units; student loan deferment; upon successful completion of the fellowship, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Policy and Government |
|
| Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Undergraduate & graduate students |
Florida state budget |
When approved for an internship, students will be provided with an outline of expectations. At the end, interns will conduct an exit interview and there could be a possibility for hire. |
Varies |
|
| Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa |
Underrepresented STEM college students |
Partnership between MN DNR, CCMI, MPCA, & BWSR |
Intern at MN DNR, MPCA, or BSWR with first, second, and third-year opportunities |
Varies, interns Yearly scholarships, fellowships |
|
| State of Illinois |
College juniors, seniors, and graduate students |
Illinois state budget |
Full-time placement in the summer across various state agencies |
Monthly stipend of $2250 |
|
| University System of Maryland |
Undergraduate & graduate students |
Sea Grant Maryland |
This unique opportunity will place fellows in coastal sustainability, coastal management, and environmental policy positions within Maryland |
Base annualized salary of $45,000 plus access to benefits including health care options |
|
| Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
College students or recent graduates |
Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
Provides students with real-life experiences working alongside the department’s engineers, scientists, and other professionals |
Varies |
|
| New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services | Undergrad or graduate Students in the sciences, engineering, computer science, business, education, journalism, media and public relations | New Hampshire state budget | Various environmental positions with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Science | Varies, hourly | |
| New York City Department of Environmental Protection | Undergraduate or graduate students | New York City Budget | Various positions across multiple agencies | Varies, paid | |
| New York State Department of Environmental Protection | Undergraduate or graduate students | New York State Budget | Various positions | Varies, paid | |
| North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality | Undergraduate or graduate students | North Dakota State Budget | Equips students with professional experience in the environmental field | Varies, paid | |
| Portland, OR Environmental Services | Undergraduate & graduate students | Portland government | Directly placed into various governmental departments for various amounts of time (1-3 years) | Varies, $15.50-$18.50 per hour | |
| Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources | Undergraduate & graduate students | Pennsylvania state budget | As a DCNR intern, you can play a role in protecting and enhancing the natural lands, overseeing the state park system, managing state forest lands, and/or expanding outdoor education and recreation opportunities throughout the state | Varies, $15.49 per hour + | |
| University System of Virginia | Undergraudate & graduate students | Sea Grant Virginia | The VASG Graduate Research Fellowship represents an investment in the success and professional development of graduate students engaged in education and research | Up to $40,000 per year for two years and professional development opportunities | |
| Department of Ecology, State of Washington | 18 to 25 year olds | Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) | The majority of AmeriCorps member positions are 11-month crew positions, who serve on crews of five members led by a WCC crew supervisor. There are limited nine-month and three-month positions offered in spring and summer. Provide 15 Individual Placement positions that are limited to 11-month positions only. | $1116 twice a month, AmeriCorps Education Award (scholarship) available to members upon completion of service term: Full-term positions (11 months): $6,345. Three-quarter-term positions (9 months): $4,441.50. Quarter-term positions (3 months / 450 hours): $1,678.57; health insurance included | |
| Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | 18+ and be intending to or have recently graduated from college or trade school | Bureau of Equity & Inclusion | The goal of the program is to provide those students with an opportunity to experience the professional work environment of Wisconsin State Government. Placed more than 4000 students in over 30 state agencies since inception. |
Varies, $11 per hour + |
| Agency | Program Name & Application Link | Audience | Authority | Hiring & Job Process | Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizens' Climate Lobby | Currently enrolled students or recent graduate (within one year) |
Citizens’ Climate Higher Education |
Work with CCL staff on a day-to-day basis | Fellowships – paid ($2500 annually, paid out monthly – and no benefits); internships - unpaid | |
| The Climate Reality Project | Any students 18 or older (current or recent graduates) | Private funding | Successful applicants must be at least 18 years of age and will be asked to show proof that they can legally work in the United States. Internships and duties vary across the entire organization. | $15.20/hour, up to 30 hours per week | |
| Conservation International | 18 and older | Private funding |
The program engages recognized leaders — Distinguished and Senior Fellows — and emerging talent — Technical Fellows — to provide fresh thinking and extensive leadership to Conservation International’s work around the world.
|
Varies | |
| Environmental Defense Fund | Graduate students | Environmental Defense Fund + Business | Fellows join a network of over a thousand Climate Corps alumni and other energy and sustainability professionals, working to advance climate solutions in leading organizations around the world. | $1,250 per week (8-12 weeks) plus one week’s salary for program participation | |
| Friends of the Earth | 18 and older | Private funding | Various internships across the organization and duties may vary. | ~$17/hour, 15-20 hours per week, 5-7 months | |
| Land Trust Alliance | 18 and older | Private funding |
The ideal candidate is a student or young professional with demonstrated interest in government affairs and conservation policy who is capable of proactively researching political relationships, drafting informational materials on conservation issues and communicating directly with land trusts, coalition partners, and federal officials.
|
$16.10/hour | |
| Oceana | 18 and older | Private funding |
The policy intern works closely with Oceana’s federal policy team in support of Oceana’s U.S. campaigns. The intern assists our advocacy and government relations work to end offshore oil drilling, reduce plastic pollution, protect whales and other marine mammals, promote responsible fisheries management, protect sharks, and deter illegal fishing through transparency. Â
|
Varies | |
| Partnership for Public Service | Undergraduate & graduate students, recent graduates | Partnership for Public Service + Business + Universities | Responsibilities vary but often include event planning and execution, research, writing and outreach to external partners, including federal agencies and colleges and universities. |
Full-time interns will receive $1,500 per month;Â Part-time intern compensation will be pro-rated accordingly |
|
| Pathways to Science | Undergraduate & Graduate STEM students | Pathways to Science | Various programs (fellowships/internships) and contacts in different institutions throughout the United States offered from high school through PostDoc (worldwide opp.) | Varies, internships & fellowships | |
| Sierra Club | Undergraduate & Graduate students | Private funding | Various programs that work in all aspects of the Sierra Club via hourly internships. Varies in job length and amount of hours per week. | Varies, $15-20/hour | |
| The Wilderness Society | Undergraduate (Junior or Senior), graduate students | Private funding | Internships are structured around school semesters. TWS hires among any of its departments, with work including drafting memos, attending meetings with other organizations and legislators, and other research. | Varies, ~$16/hour | |
| World Wildlife Fund | Varies, college-level senior or graduate student | Private funding |
This part-time, paid internship is based in the US and will provide an opportunity for a college-level senior or graduate student to play a role in building out programmatic communications for a team focused on long-term, large-scale area-based conservation and the benefits those initiatives can generate for communities, climate, and biodiversity.
|
Varies, $16/hour, part-time 20 hours per week |