Natural Resources Internship

Job Description

About Company

The internship is offered by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), specifically the U.S. Army Environmental Command (AEC). The program itself is administered by 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). This arrangement means that participants will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment rather than entering into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD, or any other agency.

The internship will be located at Fort Drum, New York, which is a significant U.S. Army installation spanning over 108,000 acres in northern New York. Fort Drum is approximately 80 miles north of Syracuse, 30 miles from Canada, and situated between Lake Ontario and the Adirondacks. The installation boasts a professional natural resources staff dedicated to the management of its diverse ecosystems, which include forests and grasslands, invasive plants, endangered species, wetlands, fish/wildlife management, human-wildlife conflict, and recreational opportunities.

Job Description

This opportunity is for a Natural Resources internship with the U.S. Army Environmental Command (AEC) at Fort Drum, New York, focusing on natural resource management.

Role and Responsibilities:
As an ORISE participant, you will work under the guidance of a mentor and engage in a wide array of tasks pertaining to natural resource management on a military installation. These tasks may include:
• Forest management
• Invasive species control and monitoring
• Wildlife surveys
• Recreation enhancements
• Environmental outreach to the community on Fort Drum

You will also have the opportunity to develop and carry out small-scale projects based on your interests. The internship provides exposure to day-to-day activities and special projects, and importantly, you will be included in meetings to understand how management decisions are made. This experience aims to help you hone existing skills and develop new ones in a dynamic environmental setting.

Location: Fort Drum, New York

Anticipated Start Date:
The preferred start date is May/June 2025. Exact dates will be determined upon selection and in coordination with the chosen candidate. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and positions will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

Appointment Length:
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, subject to candidate availability, funding, project assignment, and program rules.

Benefits:
Participants will receive a stipend determined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), typically based on academic standing, discipline, experience, and the research facility location. Other potential benefits include:
• Health Insurance Supplement: Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE.
• Training and Travel Allowance.

Qualifications:

Eligibility Requirements:
• Education:
• Currently earning a high school diploma/GED by June 30, 2025, OR
• Currently pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in an Applied Science, OR
• Earned an associate or bachelor’s degree in an Applied Science within the last 60 months.
• Age: Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only.
• GPA: Minimum Overall GPA of 3.00.
• Disciplines: Eligible candidates should be in or have degrees in:
• Earth and Geosciences (e.g., Earth Sciences, Geographic Information Systems, Geology, Environmental Science)
• Environmental and Marine Sciences
• Life Health and Medical Sciences
• Veteran Status: Veterans Preference may apply if the degree was received within the last 120 months.

Highly Competitive Applicants will also possess:
• Ability to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions and varied terrain.
• A positive attitude.
• Tree identification skills.
• Bird identification skills (both visual and auditory).

Additional Information:
While this is not an employment relationship with the DoD or any other agency, the opportunity will require a suitability investigation/background investigation. Any offer made is tentative pending a favorable outcome of this investigation. Proof of health insurance is required for participation, and it can be obtained through ORISE.

Application Requirements:
A complete application must include:
• A Zintellect Profile.
• Educational and Employment History.
• Essay Questions detailing your goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity.
• A Resume (PDF).
• Transcripts/Academic Records for your current or most recent degree program.
• One recommendation (recommenders will be contacted by Zintellect).