Interested in learning more about conserving the incredible natural and cultural resources found on our nation’s federal land?
Want a paid, experiential opportunity in fish and wildlife ecology, vegetation and habitat monitoring/management, historical restoration, archaeology, natural or cultural resources planning, GIS, environmental compliance, or related areas?
Want to earn college credits (and dollars!) while living in unique areas throughout the United States?
Early-career Development Program Overview
If you are a student, recent graduate, or early-career professional who is interested in learning more about land management, a position in CEMML’s Early-career Development Program (ECDP) is the perfect opportunity to build connections, be mentored, and gain hands-on experience. Working under the guidance of seasoned natural or cultural resource professionals, you will learn practical applications and techniques. You’ll learn about careers in military and federal lands management and have an opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts. You will also increase your understanding of the regulatory framework and the complexities of managing natural and cultural resources. These opportunities will help you excel in your chosen field.
Current ECDP Opportunities
- Natural Resources Technicianlocation_onMacDill Air Force Base|scheduleSalaried|domainIn-Person|groups1 Position
- Natural Resources Technicianlocation_onMacDill Air Force Base|scheduleHourly|calendar_month6 Months|domainIn-Person|groups1 Position
Florida
FAQs
What are the goals of the program?
- Expose students and recent graduates to the field of military and public lands management.
- Provide experiential learning opportunities to prepare participants for successful careers in this field.
Who qualifies for the ECDP?
- Individuals who are pursuing or have already received a bachelor’s degree in natural or cultural resources management, GIS, environmental policy, environmental or physical science, or a related discipline.
- Individuals at the beginning or early stages of their career with less than three years of work experience in a related field.
Which opportunities qualify as internships?
- Any of the ECDP positions can qualify as internships. We will complete all necessary paperwork to fulfill your degree program requirements, so you receive internship credit!
What can participants expect?
- Show up, have fun, learn, share knowledge, and complete an exit survey. See below for ECDP success stories!
How long do these positions last?
- Positions range anywhere from 3 to 12 months.
Is housing provided?
- Housing is not currently provided for this program. However, we suggest looking at potential options before applying to ensure you can find housing within a reasonable commuting distance.
- Sites such as, but not limited to, Furnishedfinder.com, Apartments.com, Apartmentfinder.com may aid in your search. Use a “short-term housing” filter.
What are the benefits?
- ECDP stands above other internships/early-career opportunities in offering competitive pay, employee study privilege, health insurance, sick leave, holiday pay, and more! Please visit the CSU benefits website under the Temporary Admin Pro column (AFAP Non-classified Staff), Student Hourly, or Non-Student Hourly for more information.
What is employee study privilege?
- The employee study privilege allows participants hired as Temporary Administrative Professionals to take up to 9 free credits at CSU per benefit year. Past participants have used this privilege to help with the cost of earning a graduate certificate or many of the graduate degree programs offered by CSU and CSU Online.
What can I expect after completing the program?
- Past participants have gained full-time employment with CEMML, the federal government, or environmental consulting firms following completion of their ECDP experience. Other participants have continued their education with graduate-level certificate or degree programs.
What should I expect when applying to an open pool?
- Once you apply, your application will be considered for current ECDP openings and even future opportunities that aren’t posted yet.
- Be explicit in your cover letter and state the type of work experience you are seeking (e.g., wildlife monitoring, prescribed burning, historic property evaluation, NEPA, invasive species management) and the locations you are willing to relocate to ensure you are considered for the right opportunities.
Questions About the Early-career Development Program?
Please email [email protected].
Early-career Development Program Stories
CEMML intern wins 2024 Great Plains CESU Award
Levin Brandt, an intern with CEMML’s Early-career Development Program, was presented with the annual Great Plains CESU Graduate Student Award for his outstanding work supporting ecosystems on Air Force installations in Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado, and North Dakota. Mr. Brandt is a graduate student in Biology at the University of North Dakota.
Spreading the love of monarchs: CEMML intern works with Midwestern pollinators
As part of his CEMML internship, Alexx Uecker’s work for the Midwest Natural Resources Program of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center gave him the opportunity to study bats and support important pollinators like the monarch butterfly. During his six-month experience, Uecker supported monitoring and survey efforts at Air Force bases across the Midwest.
A career-changing student finds success through CEMML
With the help of CEMML’s Early-career Development Program, James Fujioka is making a transition from managing kitchens to managing natural resources. After beginning his career in the culinary arts, the added stress of working in the restaurant industry during the pandemic, combined with his love for the outdoors, made him rethink his career trajectory.
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