Dear Geography Undergraduate Students:

Please see notice below and attached about a new virtual internship program.

Thanks,

D. Alderman

 

 

Hi Folks

Here is an interesting opportunity to apply for eInternships with EPA. These often involving working foreign partners to address environmental problems around the world. Applications are due July 22^nd.

 

Regards,
Larry McKay, Head of EPS

 

 

 

 

Please share with our students.

 

Thanks,

 

Caroline Robinson

Senior Advisor

Office of the Regional Administrator

U.S. EPA Region 4

61 Forsyth Street SW

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 562-8976

 

 

 

SEPMs & NLEGs

 

Please support one of our fellow EPA colleagues, Daniel Alejandro Haskell in the following initiate “eInternships: A new EPA virtual internship program for students for the 2014‐2015 school year - PILOT PROGRAM.”  Daniel is an Environmental Engineer in Region 10 in the Office of Water and Watersheds and he is spearheading this new opportunity for students to come intern for the agency nationwide – completely virtually! Students will apply through the Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) program managed by the State Department to become EPA eInterns.

 

He is currently looking for EPA Mentors to host a Virtual Intern.  To learn more about EPA eInternships. See below or attachment (For internal circulation only).

 

Please feel free to share this initiative with your offices to encourage others at EPA to become a Mentor for a Virtual Intern!

 

 

[log in to unmask]" align="left" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_3">eInternships: A new EPA virtual internship program for students for the 2014‐2015 school year

PILOT PROGRAM

 

 

·        The Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) program is managed by the State Department’s Office of eDiplomacy. As the largest virtual internship program for US college students in the federal government, the VSFS team at the State Department can provide a pathway for students to apply for and compete for virtual internships on USAjobs.gov that support EPA staff with their core work.

 

·        The VSFS program understands establishing a virtual internship program takes significant time and resources. Thus, the VSFS team is now welcoming partnering projects from the Environmental Protection Agency for the 2014‐2015 school year.

 

Benefits of an EPA Virtual intern

•      No cost to the agency

–     no overhead costs for phone, desk space, computer.

–     eInternships are unpaid.

 

•      The VSFS program is streamlined

–     No government computer/equipment required. No PC support set‐up.

–     eInterns do not have security clearances to EPA servers

–     eInterns are not processed through traditional Human Resources outlets

 

•      A MOU is not required (nor is it encouraged) between the State Department and the EPA

 

•      Easily leverage enthusiastic college students with a requested skill set.

–     Students compete for EPA Virtual Internships on USAjobs.gov.

–     Students can get a “preview” of upcoming EPA Virtual Internships on the state.gov website before the USAjobs.gov posting

 

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SHOWCASE: In the fall of 2012 Consulate General Guangzhou successfully recruited a team of four U.S. college students through the Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) program to conduct online research of pollution cases within the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Fujian. To date the team has created an online database of over 50 pollution related news stories and blog articles from a wide variety of sources highlighting the cost and extent of pollution in the consular district as well as any government or local responses. These sources have been paired with an additional database of equivalent size composed of news stories prepared by local Consulate staff related to pollution incidents.

 

 

June 9	Project Submission Deadline
July 1	Projects posted online VSFS website for students to view
July 2‐22	VSFS open on USAJobs for students to apply
Early August	Applications from qualified candidates forwarded to offices for
Late August/Early  September	Offices select candidates for Virtual Student Foreign Service (Selections are due September 9)
September 10	Office of eDiplomacy sends official offers to selected students
September 10‐17	Students accept/turn down offers. Applications from qualified candidates not selected are forwarded to offices with late project submissions
September 18	Students begin virtual internships
Early December	Office of eDiplomacy conducts mid‐year check‐in with students and Supervisors
April	Office of eDiplomacy conducts end‐of‐year evaluation with students and supervisors
May	(Most) Internships conclude. Supervisors evaluate eInterns.
June	Office of eDiplomacy sends out letters and certificates of recognition to all virtual interns that complete their internships.

 

Responsibilities between The EPA and The VSFS team at the State Department

 

•      Project Proposal Submission

–     The EPA does internal outreach to employees to identify projects. Project Descriptions (PDs) are due June 9th 2014

 

•      Student/university/applicant outreach

–     The VSFS team provides the EPA with a set of VSFS marketing materials

–     The VSFS team reaches out to potential applicants about VSFS in general

–     The EPA reaches out to potential applicants through email, social media, etc.

 

•      Student Application

–     The VSFS team manages the entire process; including the USAjobs.gov posting that outlines the skill set desired

 

•      Selection Process

–     The VSFS team contacts supervisors directly to make selection and refer top candidates to them

–     The EPA mentor or supervisor makes selection (interview, etc.)

 

•      During Internship

–     The VSFS team invites students to join closed online community

–     The VSFS team gives guidance on the above strategy

–     The VSFS team checks in with students and supervisors twice during the internship

–     The EPA mentor or supervisor establishes communications strategy, guidelines, training, briefings, mentoring, etc.

 

•      Ending Internship

–     The VSFS team sends evaluation template to supervisors

–     Supervisors send completed evaluation to student and VSFS team

 

•      Recognition

–     The VSFS team sends a certificate from Secretary Kerry and thank you letter from our office of eDiplomacy

–     The EPA is welcome to create their own agency recognition

 

FAQ

Q: Is there a maximum number of projects the VSFS team will sponsor for the EPA?

A: Not really, the VSFS team will work with Daniel Haskell based on their needs and resources.

 

Q: How does an eIntern with the EPA indicate participation on a resume?

A: Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) eIntern with the EPA

 

Q: In the future, can the EPA set up their our own virtual internship program?

A: Yes! The VSFS team can offer guidance and assistance to agencies who would like to set up their own virtual internship program

 

Q: The EPA does not have the resources to set up a virtual internship program at this time, can the EPA continue to use the VSFS team platform on the State Department website?

A: Sure!

 

Q: What are the eInterns work schedule and time commitment?

A: Scheduling is done between the EPA mentor or supervisor and the eIntern. On average the time commitment is 10 hours per week.

 

Q: How do the eInterns receive course‐credit at their university for their work?

A: The burden of obtaining university credit for the VSFS program falls on the eIntern. The eIntern will need to coordinate with his or her university to obtain graduation credit.

 

Q: I am an EPA staff member who is interested in having an eIntern! What are the next steps?

A: Great! Daniel Haskell, [log in to unmask] ,can provide you with a VSFS Supervisor handbook. A project description (PD) template will need to be filled out. PDs are due June 9^th 2014.

 

Thanks

 

Sandra Rivera, MBA

Special Assistant

EPA's Hispanic Employment Program Manager (HEPM) Council Chair

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Water (OW) / Office of Wastewater Management (OWM)/Water Permits Division / Immediate Office

1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Mail Code: 4203M

Washington, DC 20460

202-564-1054

 

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