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The U.S. Army Environmental Command (AEC) is offering an opportunity to anyone pursuing a High School Diploma/GED internship at Fort Huachuca, Arizona

What will I be doing?

Fort Huachuca has two paid opportunities for high school level participants to gain overall hands-on experience in U.S. Army Environmental conservation and compliance programs. Participants will have the opportunity to gain skills by assisting with a wide array of projects pertaining to government environmental programs, such as, wildlife relocation, wildlife surveys, domestic animal control and care, forestry projects, cultural resource projects, compliance projects, wastewater treatment plant data collection, data management, lab analysis, report writing and document preparation, and inspections for various projects. While this assignment is primarily designed as a flexible internship meant to provide experience for high school students, participants may also have the opportunity to develop and carry out small-scale research projects depending on workload and interest. Some projects will be generally required as part of the internship (for example, field work during in-house surveys), but overall, the assignment can be tailored to applicant interest.

Why should I apply?

As an ORISE participant you will have the opportunity to do field work and data collection such as wildlife surveys, trap setting, and responding to wildlife relocation calls 24/7 on a rotating schedule. Domestic animal control and care includes capturing and transporting stray dogs and cats to the Fort Huachuca kennel, checking for microchips, assisting with adoptions/fosters, cleaning kennels, feeding animals, and providing exercise for animals. Laboratory projects may consist of water sampling, analysis and interpretation. Document preparation can include draft generation of maintenance requests for buildings, survey data forms, domestic animal intake forms, historic property inventory forms, site forms, draft minor plans and review of memos and other outgoing correspondence. Public outreach opportunities are possible and happen occasionally throughout the year (e.g. public/school tours and presentations, preparing exhibits, etc.). Training opportunities are provided, at minimum, in safe/proper handling of wildlife for removal/relocation, domestic animal handling and care, ATV use, ArcGIS Army Standards, GPS unit use, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) safety and identification.  If handling wildlife or domestic animals, participants will be required to get the pre-rabies exposure vaccinations. If working in the wastewater treatment plant lab, participants will be required to get the Twin-Rix series vaccinations (Hep A/B).

Where will I be located? 

Fort Huachuca, Arizona

What is the anticipated start date?

Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection and in coordination with the selected candidate. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and internships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

What is the appointment length? 

This appointment is a twelve-month research appointment, with the possibility to be renewed for additional research periods. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant. The participation rate will be part-time (16 hours/week).

What are the appointment provisions?

You will receive a stipend to be determined by USACE. Stipends are typically based on a participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other benefits may include the following:

• Health Insurance Supplement (Participants are eligible to purchase health insurance through ORISE)
• Relocation Allowance
• Training and Travel Allowance

About USACE

The U.S. Army Environmental Command (USAEC) proudly delivers environmental services and solutions in support of the Army's Environmental Program, enabling Army readiness and sustainability. For more than 40 years, USAEC has provided the knowledge, tools, and programs that support ready and resilient Soldiers, installations, and commands by balancing military training with sound environmental practices. Sound natural resources stewardship through ecosystem management is the underlying approach, and elements of the program include forest management, fish and wildlife (nongame and game), threatened and endangered species, habitat and community management, environmental awareness and environmental protection.  Fort Huachuca is an Army installation in southeastern Arizona, adjacent to the town of Sierra Vista.  The installation encompasses 80,000 acres across several environmental zones. The Huachuca Mountains form the Fort’s western boundary, and the majority of the installation resides in a high-elevation (4,600ft AMSL on average) desert grassland environment. The installation has many different compliance areas to work in such as, air, drinking water, storm water, hydrology, hazardous waste, hazardous material and wastewater. For more information about the USAEC, please visit https://aec.army.mil/.

About ORISE

This program, administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and DoD. Participants do not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DoD or any other office or agency. Instead, you will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.  Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.  For more information, visit the ORISE Research Participation Program at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Applicants must be in or have completed high school. Post-high school graduates must be in a Associates-level program in Environmental Science, Biology, Animal Science, Geology, Chemistry, Physics, or other Physical Science, and have maintained at least a 2.0 GPA. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens and must be able to pass a basic background investigation.
 
At minimum, applicants should have:
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access
• Proficiency in writing and basic editing skills 
• Experience with ArcGIS software (preferred but not required)
• Experience working with Trimble GPS units (preferred but not required)
• Ability to conduct fieldwork in harsh desert conditions (high summer heat or windy winter cold), with little to no cover for extended periods of time (5-7 hours a day, for as long as 30 consecutive business days. No camping required.)
• A strong sense of initiative and the ability to prioritize and self-direct from a list of tasks
• A positive, diplomatic attitude and the ability to work collaboratively with others

While participants will not enter into an employment relationship with DoD or any other agency, this opportunity will require a suitability investigation/background investigation. Any offer made is considered tentative pending favorable outcome of the investigation.

Application Requirements

A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile
• Educational and Employment History
• Essay Questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)
• Resume (PDF)
• Transcripts/Academic Records - Please upload a copy of a transcript for your current or most recent degree program that meets the disciplinary qualifications of the opportunity. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• One recommendation. Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed until One recommendation are submitted. We encourage you to contact your recommender(s) as soon as you start your application to ensure they are able to complete the recommendation form and to let them know to expect a message from Zintellect. Recommenders will be asked to rate your scientific capabilities, personal characteristics, and describe how they know you. You can always log back in to your Zintellect account and check the status of your application.

If you have questions, send an email to ARMY@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity [Army-AEC-2024-0004] in the subject line of the email. Please understand that ORISE does not review applications or select applicants; selections are made by the sponsoring agency identified on this opportunity. All application materials should be submitted via the “Apply” button at the bottom of this opportunity listing.  Please do not send application materials to the email address above.

Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: High School Diploma/GED received within the last 36 months or currently pursuing.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 2.00
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (11 )
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (30 )
• Age: Must be 16 years of age