USAEC Summer​/Fall Natural Resources Internship

How To Apply

Click on Organization: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). Reference Code:
Army-AEC-. Click on Apply at the bottom of the opportunity to start 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 under the guidance of a mentor, you will be part of a wide array of tasks pertaining to natural resource management, including forest management, invasive species, wildlife surveys, recreation enhancements, and environmental outreach on Fort Drum. You may also have the opportunity to develop and carry out small-scale projects depending on your interests.

As an ORISE participant you will hone your skills and develop new ones by engaging in a wide array of projects pertaining to natural resource management on a military installation. You will be exposed to day‑to‑day activities and special projects, and you will join meetings to understand how management decisions are made.

Fort Drum, New York.

Exact start dates will be determined at the time of selection. The preferred start date is May/June 2025. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and internships will be filled as qualified candidates are identified.

This appointment is a three to six‑month summer research appointment, with the possibility to be extended into the fall. It may be renewed for additional research periods depending on availability of the candidate, funding, project assignment, and program rules.

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)
• Training and Travel Allowance

Fort Drum is a 108,000+ acre U.S. Army installation in northern New York—approximately 80 miles north of Syracuse, 30 miles from Canada, and between Lake Ontario and the Adirondacks. Fort Drum is managed by a professional natural resources staff focused on forests and grasslands, invasive plants, endangered species, wetlands, fish/wildlife management, human‑wildlife conflict, recreation, and outreach. For information about Fort Drum, its natural resources, and recreational opportunities, see

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.

The eligible candidate will be earning their high school diploma/GED by June 30, 2025, be currently pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in an Applied Science or have earned their degree within the last 60 months.

Highly competitive applicants will have education and/or experience in one or more of the following:

• Ability to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions and terrain
• Positive attitude
• Tree identification skills
• Bird identification skills (visual and auditory)

• Candidates must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
• Participants will not enter into an employment relationship with DoD or any other agency, but this opportunity will require a suitability investigation/background investigation. Any offer made is considered tentative pending favorable outcome of the investigation.