USAEC Summer​/Fall Natural Resources Internship

How to Apply

Click on Organization and select the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The reference code for this position is Army-AEC-. Once the opportunity is complete, click on Apply at the bottom of the listing to begin your application.

The U.S. Army Environmental Command (AEC) is offering a Summer/Fall 2025 Natural Resources internship at Fort Drum, New York.

As an ORISE participant and with a mentor’s guidance, you will engage in a wide array of natural resource management tasks, such as forest management, invasive species control, wildlife surveys, recreation enhancements, and environmental outreach on Fort Drum. You may also develop and carry out small‑scale projects that align with your interests.

Participation will help refine existing skills and cultivate new ones through diverse projects on a military installation. You will observe day‑to‑day operations, special projects, and management meetings that illustrate how decisions are made.

Fort Drum, New York

Exact dates will be determined upon selection. The preferred start period is May/June 2025. Applications are reviewed continuously and openings are filled as qualified candidates are identified.

This is a three‑ to six‑month summer research appointment, potentially extending into the fall. Additional research periods may be offered based on candidate availability, funding, project assignments, and program rules.

• Stipend determined by USACE, based on academic standing, discipline, experience, and location.
• Health Insurance Supplement (participants may purchase health insurance through ORISE).
• Training and Travel Allowance.

Fort Drum is a 108,000+ acre U.S. Army installation in northern New York—about 80 miles north of Syracuse and 30 miles from Canada. The site is managed by a professional natural resources staff focused on forests, grasslands, invasive plants, endangered species, wetlands, fish and wildlife, human‑wildlife conflict, recreation, and outreach. For more information, visit

ORISE, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) under a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is an interagency program. Participants are affiliated with ORISE for appointment administration but do not enter an employment relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD, or any other agency. Proof of health insurance is required; it may be obtained through ORISE. For more details, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Eligible candidates will:

• Earn a high school diploma/ GED by June 30, 2025, or be currently pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in Applied Science; or have earned the degree within the last 60 months.

• Demonstrate experience or education in one or more of the following: fieldwork in all weather conditions and terrain, positive attitude, tree identification, bird identification (visual and auditory).

• Candidates must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
• Participants will not be employed by DoD or any other agency, but the position requires a background investigation. Any offer is tentative pending a favorable outcome.

A complete application includes the following:

• Zintellect profile
• Educational and employment history
• Essay questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)
• Resume (PDF)
• Transcripts/academic records—upload a transcript that meets the disciplinary qualifications. Detailed transcript guidance can be found by clicking the link in the original posting.
• One recommendation. Recommender(s) will rate scientific capabilities, personal characteristics, and describe their relationship with the applicant.

Questions can be emailed to ARMYu.gov. Include the reference code Army-AEC- in the subject line. ORISE does not review applications; selections are made by the sponsoring agency. All materials should be submitted through the “Apply” button on the listing; do not send documents to the email address above.

Brittany

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen only
• Degree:
  High School Diploma/GED, Associate’s Degree, or Bachelor’s Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Minimum overall GPA: 3.00
• Disciplines:
  • Earth and Geosciences (Aeronomy, Atmospheric Chemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, Chemical Oceanography, Climate Dynamics, Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Geographic Information Systems, Geology, Geophysics, Large-Scale Dynamics Meteorology, Magnetospheric Physics, Marine Geology, Mesoscale Dynamic Meteorology, Meteorology, Mineralogy, Paleoclimate, Paleontology, Physical Meteorology, Planetary Science, Solar‑Terrestrial)
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences
• Age:
  Must be 18 years of age
• Veteran status:
  Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 months.