USGS/NAGT Cooperative Field Training Program

Started in 1965, the NAGT-USGS Cooperative Summer Field Training Program is the longest continuously running internship program in the earth sciences. Over the past fifty years, more than 2,300 students have participated in this program with an impressive number of these individuals becoming full-time employees of the USGS. The deadline for submitting a nomination is October 16, 2018.

Nomination and Selection

Directors should send applicant name(s), address(es), and email(s) to:
Dr. Kurtis Burmeister
Executive Secretary NAGT-USGS Cooperative Field Training Program
University of the Pacific
Department of Geological & Environmental Science

USGS will decide among the applicants and then hire the selected NAGT nominees for available field, laboratory, or office related scientific positions throughout the country for up to 5 months. USGS places interns wherever the project scientists need them. Most recently, interns have worked in Reston, VA; Menlo Park, CA; Miami, FL; St. Petersburg, FL; Denver, CO; Woods Hole, MA; Baltimore, MD; Seattle, WA; Dover, DE; Trenton, NJ; Vancouver, WA; Indianapolis, IN; Lincoln, NE; Columbia, SC; Santa Cruz, CA; and many other locations.

Field camp directors and students can get more information about the program at the USGS Program Page. Please refer to the USGS Field Camp Survey for a comprehensive list of national college and university geoscience field camps.

The NAGT-USGS Cooperative Summer Field Training Program begins in September with all field camp directors being provided information about the program. Field camp directors can nominate students whose field course was at least 4 weeks in duration and completed in the year they are nominated. In addition, nominees must be US citizens or Resident Aliens.

Nominated students apply by sending their resume to the USGS Education Office along with a letter of interest and transcripts. At the same time, USGS scientists interested in working with an intern send information about field, laboratory, or office-related scientific projects to the Education Office. Candidates are then matched by skill and interest with up to five projects. The listing of candidates and accompanying academic information are sent to USGS scientists for review, interviews, selection, or possible further discussion. USGS personnel make final selections.

As interdisciplinary, system science is a cornerstone of our science, all disciplines are encouraged, and do take advantage of, this program's support and available talent. Students hired through this program have continually received outstanding reviews from our managers; and, over the decades, many of these individuals have become full-time colleagues. Interns employed through this program are hired at a rate commensurate to their educational level and experience, typically at a GS-5 Grade, Step 1, with an adjusted locality payment.