We are particularly interested in providing opportunities for students for whom an internship is a unique opportunity, and could help propel them toward a professional path. Note: Nominees must be US Citizens.
Nominated students are matched with selected USGS projects, depending on the needs of the scientists and the interests and abilities of the applicants. Although not all applicants will receive internships, every effort is made to provide as many placements as possible that will result in professional growth for the students and scientific contribution to the projects. The USGS Human Resources Office will determine salary in accordance with government regulations and student education/experience. For 2023, the general salary range will be $15.50 to $22.35 per hour (depending upon locality). Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the home project site and housing for the summer.
The USGS receives nominations from three sources:
- College or University Geoscience Department Heads and Chairs - through a partnership with the National Association of Geoscience Teachers
- Biology/Ecology Field Program Leaders - through a partnership with the Ecological Society of America
- GIS Certification Institute - for students with specialized GIS training.
The USGS has two requirements for people who want to be nominators:
- Training Rigor: our partners help assure that students have strong backgrounds in the recruited fields.
- Code-of-conduct: in keeping with the values and policies at the USGS, we require that programs have an enforceable code-of-conduct in place that addresses sexual harassment and bullying in field situations.
College or University Heads and Chairs
Geoscience department heads and chairs may nominate students for this summer field assistant program. Our partner, the NAGT, determines eligibility and invites heads and chairs to nominate each fall. See the NAGT Cooperative Summer Fellowship Program website for more information and to find out if you might be able to nominate a student to NAGT for this program.
Ecology/Biology Field Training
The USGS has a large mission area in ecosystems and environmental health. We are working with the Ecological Society of America to identify students who have field training and experience in biological field methods. This partnership began in 2018-19 and we are refining the criteria for that training. Contact the ESA or the USGS if you are interested in this opportunity for students.
GIS Certification
GIS is an increasingly important skill across USGS in many research areas. Our partner in identifying students with this skill is the GIS Certification Institute. Students can register their training and skill set at GISCI, which will then identify students for nomination. It is not necessary that students be fully accredited in GIS - we are looking for some progress toward that.
