Student Employment Opportunities

Employment with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is an effective way for students to gain work experience, earn money, and establish a career in conservation and natural resources.  There are employment opportunities for students in high school through graduate school ranging from summer work to year-round internships that could lead to permanent positions.

Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)

Credit: USFWS

Ages 15-18

The Youth Conservation Corps is a summer program for young men and women between the ages of 15 and 18 years old.  Participants in YCC are members of a crew comprised of other high school students who work on a local wildlife refuge.  Typical jobs include trail work, invasive species removal, and general facility maintenance.  Students typically work 40 hours per week and earn minimum wage.  The Youth Conservation Corps is an excellent way for young people to gain exposure to careers in conservation while making new friends and earning money.

Student Educational Employment Program (SEEP)

The Student Educational Employment Program offers employment with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to full and half-time students. SEEP consists of two components:  STEP and SCEP.

Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)

Credit: Rodney Breeding, USFWS

Ages 16+

The Student Temporary Employment Program is for high school, technical, vocational, college, and university students.  The STEP program allows refuges to hire students temporarily to perform jobs and projects on site.  Work performed by STEP students does not have to be related to their field of study.  Participants must be at least 16 years of age.

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)

Ages 16+

This program is designed for high school, vocational, technical, college and university students who plan to pursue a career in conservation and natural resources.  SCEP interns must complete work that is related to their field of study, and students must log 640 hours of career related work prior to earning their degree, certificate, or diploma.  Upon completion of the SCEP program, students are eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a permanent full-time position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Harry S. Truman Scholarship Program

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Program is for college juniors who are committed to public service.  This program provides financial support for graduate school and leadership training as well as the opportunity to network with other students who are committed to public service.  To learn more about the program or to apply for a Truman scholarship, visit the Truman Scholarship Web site.

Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF)

The Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF) is for highly talented graduate, law, and doctoral-level students who are committed to careers involving public policies and programs.  Students must be nominated by their university.  All nominees are evaluated based on standard criteria, and a limited number of finalists are selected. 

Upon earning their degree, Presidential Management Fellows complete a two-year fellowship that provides formal training and developmental assignments.  Fellows may be hired at the GS-9, 10, 11, or 12 level.  Once the two-year fellowship is completed, participants are eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a permanent position.  There is more information on the Presidential Management Fellows Program Web site.

Cooperative Programs

Credit: Lamar Gore, USFWS

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has established cooperative programs with several partners to hire individuals interested in conservation related work.  Visit the Student Conservation Association and the Corps Network.

Instructions for Applying

People who work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are forward-thinking, motivated, and resourceful.  Finding a position will require a little research and persistence.  Imagine that finding and applying for a position is your first assignment.  You will have to: 

1. Read about the various programs and employment opportunities for students.

2. Select the program best suited for you.   

3. Decide where, you want to work.  While YCC students typically work at a refuge within commuting distance from their homes, other programs offer on-site housing and more flexibility.  Perhaps you currently live inland, but you would like to work at a coastal refuge to gain experience with shorebirds.  Maybe you want to travel to a refuge in New Mexico to learn about desert ecosystems.  The choice is yours.

4. Use the refuge locator to find a refuge in the geographic area of your choice.  Then use the Refuge Manager list to find contact information for that refuge.

5. Contact the refuge manager and inquire about the position you are seeking.  While you may not find the right opportunity on the first try, it helps to be persistent and flexible.  Remember that volunteering is also a great way to gain experience and open the door to other opportunities.

** Note  The Truman Scholarship, Presidential Management Fellowship, Student Conservation Association, and Corps Network have their own application procedures. Visit the Web sites listed above.

Careers and Employment

Volunteer Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

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