The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is partnering with Hispanic Access Foundation, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), and Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program (DDCF) to implement their 2024 Directorate Fellows Program (DFP).

Directorate Resource Assistant Fellows Program (DFP)

Who is the FWS?

The 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 the DFP Fellowship?

The FWS Directorate Fellows Program (DFP) is an 11-week fellowship program that includes a direct hire authority (DHA) for a permanent position in FWS. Students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a rising senior or senior in an undergraduate program or graduate degree program at the start of start of the 2024 DFP. Fellows selected for the 2024 DFP must successfully complete their 11-week fellowship and subsequently complete their degree requirements to meet eligibility requirements for the DHA.

The FWS DFP is for students interested in conservation careers. The 11-week fellowship focuses on projects that support FWS conservation priorities. The 2024 fellowships begin in mid-May and June 2024 and end in August or September 2024. Most projects are a good fit for students with majors in biological sciences and natural resources management. 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. You are applying to be part of the 2024 cohort of up to 30 Fellows.

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.

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.

DFP Eligibility Requirements

• Current students: Undergraduate rising seniors, seniors; enrolled or current graduate students
  • Students graduating in May 2024 or June 2024 are ineligible to participate in FWS DFP unless they provide verification that they have been accepted for enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate by October 23, 2023.
• Students pursuing biological science and/or natural resource management degrees. 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.
• US citizen or National (Birth certificate or Passport must be provided)
• Must be 17 years of age or older
• Cumulative GPA must be 3.0 or higher
• Must be available for 12 weeks during summer 2024 (1 week orientation plus 11-week fellowship)
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check
• All applicants assigned male at birth and between the ages of 18-26 (born on or after January 1, 1960) must be registered with the Selective Service

Benefits

• $680 weekly stipend based on a 40-hour work week
• Travel expenses paid (within budget limitations) - roundtrip travel to and from fellowship site Travel expenses to/from the FWS National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV for a 1-week Orientation (June 16-21, 2024)
• Housing provided or housing stipends provided
• Hands-on experience in conservation
• One to two weeks of developmental experience during the 11-week Fellowship, including networking and learning about future employment opportunities
• Option for health insurance coverage throughout the fellowship term
• Fellows may be eligible for a permanent position in the FWS after successfully completing their fellowship and degree requirements

How to Apply

Submit an application package, including a:

• Completed application form, selecting up to 7 positions you are interested in
• Resume
• Current unofficial transcript showing a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA (must provide transcripts for all universities attended) including:
  
  • Name
  • Most current enrollment status
  • Cumulative GPA
• Acceptance letters (enrollment verification documentation)

Applications are due by January 13 at 11:59pm EST. In advance to completing your online application, you can view a PDF copy of the application here. NOTE: We will not accept PDF applications submitted by email. All applications must be submitted online through the application link found here.

Application questions or issues may be directed to Ivone Watson, ivone@hispanicaccess.org

If you have met the eligibility requirements for the 2024 DFP, Hispanic Access will later share additional info via email for you to apply for specific DFP projects throughout the United States. Application questions or issues may be directed to Ivone Watson, ivone@hispanicaccess.org

Available Positions

Please make note of the position number and title of those that you are interested in applying to. Position descriptions are not available on the application. You can only select up to 10 positions.

Pacific - Region 1 (WA, OR, ID, HI, MP, GU, AS)

1-1: Monitoring Herbicide Effects on Threatened Oregon Coast Butterflies
Position Type: In Person
Fellowship Dates: June 19 - September 1, 2023 (tentative Orientation June 11-16)
Host site Location: USFWS Newport Field Station, Newport, OR

1-2: Bear Education and Outreach in the North Cascades
Position Type: In Person
Fellowship Dates: June 19 – September 1, 2023 (tentative Orientation at NCTC June 11-16)
Host site Location: North Cascades National Park, Marblemount, WA