EPA Summer Internships: Your Gateway to an Environmental Career
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers various internships, including summer internships, that provide invaluable experience and insight into environmental policy, regulation, and science. These internships can serve as a great introduction to the EPA's work, giving you a sense of whether the EPA might be the right place for you.
Overview of EPA Internships
EPA internships are available in diverse fields such as environmental science, policy, engineering, and communications. These opportunities are typically offered during the summer, fall, and spring terms, with durations ranging from a few weeks to several months.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
To be eligible for an EPA internship, candidates must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree program at an accredited college or university or have recently graduated (within nine months for some positions). Some internships may have specific academic requirements or prerequisites, so it’s essential to review the internship descriptions carefully before applying.
Applicants are typically required to provide:
- A resume
- Transcripts
- Verification of enrollment and/or a letter of good academic standing
- A statement of interest explaining why they are interested in the internship and how their skills and background align with the position.
- Legal writing sample not-to-exceed 10 pages (for which the applicant was the primary author - with minor (if any) edits by others) - if apply for EAB position.
- Three references whom the EAB may contact upon receipt of the application - if apply for EAB position.
Having these documents ready will allow you to complete the application quickly when you see a position that interests you.
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Types of EPA Internships
The EPA hires high school and college interns for administrative/clerical positions as well as technical positions in areas such as life sciences, program or policy analysis, and engineering.
Internships can be:
Paid: Most paid positions have salaries ranging from the GS-2 to GS-7 level. All internships paid by EPA appear in the government-wide USAJobs.gov portal. Some positions are designated as “student trainee” or "summer student hire," so try searching for those phrases if you are looking for a summer job.
Unpaid (volunteer): Unpaid internships are offered by individual EPA offices in Washington and around the nation. A few offices sponsor well-developed volunteer programs.
Certain academic institutions and non-profits sponsor and pay for internships, where each intern is assigned to an office in federal government and/or industry. In some instances, the cost is covered by the tuition you have already paid to your college or university. EPA has agreements with the organizations listed below.
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Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) Legal Internships
The Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) is an appellate tribunal that hears administrative appeals under all major environmental statutes that EPA administers. Located in Washington, DC, the EAB’s caseload consists primarily of appeals from permit decisions and administrative civil penalty decisions, as well as petitions for reimbursement of costs incurred in complying with cleanup orders. Non-EPA parties may appeal an EAB decision to federal court.
The EAB seeks legal interns to assist both the Environmental Appeals Judges and Counsel to the Board to conduct legal research, analyze applicable law and the administrative record, draft legal memoranda, and prepare final decisions.
In addition to excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills, the EAB considers, among other things, an applicant’s interest in environmental law, administrative law, public interest law, or appellate litigation. The EAB will consider applications from first- and second-year law students for the summer program; second-year and third-year students are eligible to work in the fall and winter/spring semesters. The EAB offers unpaid positions during the Summer, Fall, and Winter/Spring semesters.
How to Find and Apply for EPA Internships
- USAJobs.gov: All paid internships offered by the EPA are posted on the government-wide USAJobs.gov portal.
- EPA Organization Chart: Identify EPA offices in which you are particularly interested in working. Use the phone numbers shown on the EPA Organization Chart page to inquire about potential internship opportunities.
- Networking: Contact EPA offices directly to inquire about potential volunteer internship opportunities.
Benefits of an EPA Internship
EPA internships offer numerous benefits for students and recent graduates:
- Gain Valuable Experience: Interns gain hands-on experience in their field of interest, contributing to real-world environmental projects and initiatives.
- Develop Skills: Internships provide opportunities to develop and enhance essential skills, such as research, analysis, communication, and problem-solving.
- Networking Opportunities: Interns can build professional connections with EPA staff and other professionals in the environmental field.
- Career Advancement: EPA internships can lead to future career opportunities within the agency or in other environmental organizations.
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