§5506 Environmental Internships and Fellowships

Summary

The Administrator must create internships for college students and fellowships for current teachers to work with federal environmental agencies. The goal is for participants to learn about environmental issues and gain job skills. The Office of Environmental Education will run the program, and placements can be at agencies such as the EPA, Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA, the Council on Environmental Quality, USDA, the National Science Foundation, and other federal natural resource agencies. Each year the Administrator should support at least 250 internships and 50 fellowships. Interns work full time for up to 6 months and must be paid. Fellows work full time for up to 12 months and must be paid. Agencies that hire interns must provide pay and related costs. Eligible students must be in accredited colleges and have finished at least four environmental courses (or the equivalent). Eligible teachers must work for a local education agency and have at least 2 years teaching environmental or related courses. Selection is by application and must reflect wide geographic, cultural, and minority representation.