Natural Resources Internship

Job Description

About the Company

The internship is offered by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), specifically through the U.S. Army Environmental Command (AEC). This program is administered by the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), established via an interagency agreement between DOE and DoD. It’s important to note that participants in this program do not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD, or any other office or agency; instead, they are affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment.

The internship is located at Fort Drum, New York, which is a large U.S. Army installation spanning over 108,000 acres in northern New York. It is situated approximately 80 miles north of Syracuse, 30 miles from Canada, and nestled between Lake Ontario and the Adirondacks. Fort Drum is managed by a professional natural resources staff dedicated to overseeing a wide range of environmental concerns. These include the management of forests and grasslands, control of invasive plants, protection of endangered species, wetlands management, fish and wildlife management, mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts, promotion of recreational opportunities, and environmental outreach.

Job Description

This opportunity is for a Natural Resources internship at Fort Drum, New York, offered by the U.S. Army Environmental Command (AEC) for Summer/Fall 2025. The reference code for this opportunity is Army-AEC-2025-0002.

What You Will Be Doing:
As an ORISE participant, you will work under the guidance of a mentor and engage in a broad spectrum of tasks related to natural resource management. This includes, but is not limited to, forest management, invasive species control, wildlife surveys, recreation enhancements, and environmental outreach on Fort Drum. There will also be an opportunity to develop and carry out small-scale projects based on your interests.

Why You Should Apply & Benefits:
This internship provides a valuable opportunity to hone existing skills and develop new ones by engaging in diverse natural resource management projects within a military installation setting. You will gain exposure to daily activities and special projects, and critically, you will be included in meetings to understand how management decisions are made.

Participants receive a stipend determined by USACE, typically based on academic standing, discipline, experience, and the research facility’s location. Other benefits may include a Health Insurance Supplement (with the option to purchase health insurance through ORISE) and a Training and Travel Allowance. Proof of health insurance is required for participation.

Anticipated Start Date and Length:
The preferred start date is May/June 2025, with exact dates determined upon selection and coordination with the chosen candidate. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and positions will be filled as qualified candidates are identified. This is a three to six-month summer research appointment, with the possibility of extension into the fall. The appointment may be renewed for additional research periods, contingent on candidate availability, funding, project assignment, and program rules.

Qualifications:
To be eligible, candidates must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application and a U.S. Citizen Only. Applicants must meet one of the following educational criteria:
• Earning their high school diploma/GED by June 30, 2025.
• Currently pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in an Applied Science.
• Have earned an associate or bachelor’s degree within the last 60 months.
A Minimum Overall GPA of 3.00 is required.
Eligible disciplines include Earth and Geosciences, Environmental and Marine Sciences, and Life Health and Medical Sciences.
Veterans Preference is given to those with a degree received within the last 120 months.

Highly competitive applicants will possess:
• The ability to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions and terrain.
• A positive attitude.
• Tree identification skills.
• Bird identification skills (visual and auditory).

Additional Information:
While this is not an employment relationship with DoD, a suitability/background investigation will be required. Any offer extended is considered tentative pending a favorable outcome of this investigation.

Application Requirements:
A complete application must include:
• A Zintellect Profile.
• Educational and Employment History.
• Essay Questions (detailing goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity).
• A Resume (in PDF format).
• Transcripts/Academic Records (a copy for your current or most recent degree program relevant to the disciplinary qualifications).
• One recommendation. Applicants are encouraged to contact their recommender(s) as soon as they start their application to ensure they complete the recommendation form, which will ask them to rate scientific capabilities, personal characteristics, and describe their relationship with the applicant.