Internships

EPA Headquarters Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)

SCEP is a special internship designed to provide students currently enrolled in a degree program with paid work experience that compliments their academic program, and introduces them to Federal government career opportunities. Upon completion of the required number of work hours (generally 640 hours before graduation), and graduation, students become eligible for direct hire into the Federal government for the type of position for which they have trained.

As you may be aware, navigating through the competitive application process for Federal jobs is daunting, especially for new graduates. Although many Federal careers are ideal for liberal arts majors, such students face a steep hurdle when applying through the traditional, nationwide competitive online application processes. Less than 1% of non-veteran entry-level applicants receive job offers. The SCEP Program provides a way for students interested in a Federal career to avoid this process by providing an apprenticeship for which students may be hired without the mechanical online processes and then for them to obtain career positions upon graduation through a similarly direct process.

The target audience for SCEP would be juniors, sophomores, first year master's students, and PhD candidates. Freshmen may also apply. Seniors would be eligible only if they will be attending graduate school in the fall. Requirements for SCEP are:

1. U. S. Citizen
2. Minimum 2.95 GPA on a 4.0 scale
3. Enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program and in good academic standing
4. Recommended by the university (faculty recommendation)
5. Basic background investigation
6. Individual opportunities may require specific majors or additional qualifications

EPA is recruiting for the following job categories:

• Biologist Trainee (Biology majors)
• Chemist Trainee (Chemistry majors)
• Economist Trainee (Graduate students in Economics only)
• Environmental or Chemical Engineer Trainee (Engineering majors only)
• Environmental Protection Specialist Trainee (all majors)
• Environmental Scientist Trainee (natural science majors only)
• Financial Management Specialist Trainee (economics or business related majors only)
• Information Technology Specialist Trainee (IT related majors only)
• Program Analyst Trainee (all majors)
• Toxicologist Trainee (Graduate students in Toxicology only)

The positions are located mainly in Washington, DC. There are a very limited number of scientific and engineering positions available in Denver, CO.

Any questions, please call JoAnn Brant at (202) 564-0375.