Overview

Who are we?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) mission is to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Our ~9000 employees work in all 50 states and U.S. territories in partnership with others to achieve this mission.

What is DFP?

DFP is a Direct Hire Authority Program that includes an 11-week Fellowship project for current students at the rising senior undergraduate or graduate school level. Upon successful completion of the Fellowship program, along with degree conferral, participants may be directly appointed without competition to full time, permanent positions.

Why is DFP important to FWS?

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service goal is to promote and maintain a diverse and inclusive workforce that thrives in an environment accessible to all and free of employment discrimination. DFP provides an opportunity for interested students from all diverse backgrounds, including women, minorities, and other underrepresented populations to gain valuable experience leading to a career in conservation.

Program Overview

  • 11−week paid summer position
  • Direct Hire Authority eligible after completing Program requirements
  • Many locations nationally
  • Travel funding provided
  • Housing may be available

Eligibility

  • Current students: Undergraduate junior or senior; enrolled or current graduate students
  • GPA: 3.0 or higher
  • U.S. Citizen or permanent resident, age 17 or older
  • Available for 11 weeks during the summer

“Having the opportunity to do the DFP allowed me to not only work on things I’m passionate about, but also allowed me to realize that I found my people; I found my agency.” -Emma, 2014 Fellow

Program Details

The application deadline is January 15, 2021!

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and the application period may close before the deadline if a sufficient number of applications are received. Applicants are highly encouraged to apply early to ensure consideration.

Applicants may apply to as many projects as they are qualified for and interested in. Selected applicants work on a specific project, strategically designed to support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s priorities.

Past projects have included work on: species conservation planning, field surveys and monitoring for species, landscape scale conservation partnerships, environmental law and policy, education and outreach, community engagement, digital communications, and many others that support our agency’s mission.

Most projects are a good fit for students with majors in biological sciences and natural resources. There are a limited number of projects that could be a good fit for other degree areas, such as education and outreach, social sciences/humanities, geographic and information sciences, law enforcement/ criminal justice, communications and marketing, and information technology.

Application Information

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with 3 partner organizations to administer the Directorate Fellows Program for 2021:

  • American Conservation Experience (ACE)
  • Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF)
  • Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF; for students attending Historically Black Colleges andUniversities; HBCUs)

Past projects have included work on: species conservation planning, field surveys and monitoring for species, landscape scale conservation partnerships, environmental law and policy, education and outreach, community engagement, digital communications, and many others that support our agency’s mission.

Most projects are a good fit for students with majors in biological sciences and natural resources. There are a limited number of projects that could be a good fit for other degree areas, such as education and outreach, social sciences/humanities, geographic and information sciences, law enforcement/ criminal justice, communications and marketing, and information technology.

There is a 2-step application process:

  1. Apply to qualify for the Program requirements via our partner sites below. At minimum, you must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be a current undergraduate junior, senior, or graduate student and complete your degree’s graduation requirements after the 11-week fellowship (i.e. after September 22, 2021).
  2. After you’ve qualified for the Program, when specific project descriptions are posted, you will be notified to log back into your application and select the specific projects/locations you are interested in applying to.

Click here to apply through American Conservation Experience

Click here to apply through Hispanic Access Foundation

Click here to apply through Thurgood Marshall College Fund (for HBCU students)

Need Assistance?

For questions on the application process, visit the partner website or reach out to the DFP point of contact listed for assistance.

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should contact the partner organization or USFWS directly.