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Apply Now! 2 Law Enforcement Internships in USFWS Directorate Fellows Program

DFP preparing for fish surveyThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has identified two additional Directorate Fellows Program (DFP) student intern opportunities in our Office of Law Enforcement (OLE).  Students pursuing a degree in Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice, Information Technology/Computer Science, Social Sciences/Humanities, Geographic and Information Sciences,  Biological Sciences or closely related fields will possess the desired qualifications for the FWS, OLE projects.  Eligible students are  highly encouraged to apply now to ensure consideration. 

Project Titles

  1. Modeling Trends in Wildlife Investigations re Zoonotic Disease, HQ, Falls Church, Virginia, Office of Law Enforcement - Remote Project
  2. Walrus Haul Out Disturbance Detection, Anchorage, Alaska, Office of Law Enforcement - Remote Project

What is the Directorate Fellows Program (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.  The 11-week fellowships begin in mid-May or mid-June 2021 and end in August/September 2021.  Upon successful completion of the Fellowship program, including degree conferral, participants may be directly appointed without competition to full time, permanent positions.  

Benefits:

  • Living allowance– paid bi-weekly
  • Relocation allowance
  • Hands-on experience
  • Housing provided in select locations
  • 1-week orientation at the FWS National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, WV
  • Fellows may be eligible for a permanent position in the FWS after successfully completing their fellowship and degree

DFP Eligibility Requirements:

  • Student must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a rising senior or senior in a 4-year undergraduate program or a graduate degree program, and will not complete their degree requirements prior to the completion of the 2021 DFP 11-week fellowship ending in August/September 2021
  • Cumulative GPA must be 3.0 or higher
  • US citizen or permanent resident
  • Demonstrated interest, education, and/or experience in conservation
  • Must be available for 12 weeks (1-week orientation plus 11-week fellowship)
  • Must be able to pass a criminal background check
  • Must be 17 years of age or older
  • Males born after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, must register with the Selective Service System, unless they meet certain exemptions

How to Apply:

FWS is collaborating with the Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) nonprofit organizations of the administration of these 2 fellowship opportunities.   The projects are listed at the partner websites at the links below.  Partners may require account setup to access the projects.

Students shall apply to qualify for the DFP requirements via our partner sites below. At minimum, you must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be a current undergraduate rising senior, senior in a 4-year undergraduate degree program, or current graduate student, and won't complete your degree's graduation requirements before completing the 11-week fellowship (i.e. after September 22, 2021).

  • CLICK HERE to apply for DFP program and access to the law enforcement projects listed on the Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) webpage.  
  • CLICK HERE to apply for DFP program and access to law enforcement projects listed on the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) webpage.  Applying with TMCF is only available to students who attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). 

NOTE:   Students are encouraged to apply for these 2 projects at both HAF and TMCF (if attending an HBCU).  

For questions about the DFP program and the application process, please reach out to the DFP point of contact listed on each partner webpage for assistance. 

For other general questions, contact connect@fws.gov.