Student Volunteer Internships for 2025/2026 in the Office of Water, Washington, D.C.

Student Volunteer Internships 2025-2026
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Office of Water
Washington, D.C.

Position Description
A limited number of unpaid internships are available in Washington, D.C. within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water. You must be a U.S. citizen and a full-time undergraduate or graduate student. A diversity of candidates within various fields of study are encouraged to apply, including degree candidates in the following disciplines:

• Environmental Science: hydrology, aquatic biology, marine science, environmental engineering, geology, meteorology, soil science, etc.
• Economics, econometrics, hydrological modeling, data analysis, GIS, etc.
• Public health, toxicology, sanitation, environmental justice, etc.
• Public administration, finance, management, communications, etc.

Ideally, candidates would have a demonstrated interest and/or career goals in a water- or public- health related field, including sustainability and resilience. Desirable qualities include strong analytical, written and oral skills, the ability to work independently and on a team, and a strong desire to take initiative.

The volunteer intern will work for a minimum of 12 weeks on a full-time (40 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours per week) schedule. Participants will not receive a stipend, but are eligible to apply for a transit subsidy. Participants do not become EPA employees during their tenure.

About the Office of Water (OW)
OW guides implementation of the U.S. National Water Program under statutory authorities such as the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. OW activities are targeted to prevent pollution and to reduce risk for people and aquatic ecosystems. OW’s offices are as follows:

Office of Science and Technology (OST): OST’s mission is to analyze and apply the latest scientific knowledge and technologies with states and tribes to ensure clean and safe water for all communities.

Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water (OGWDW): Together with states, tribes, and partners, OGWDW protects public health by ensuring safe drinking water and the protection of ground water. This office oversees implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Office of Wastewater Management (OWM): Through its programs and initiatives, OWM supports the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, commonly known as the Clean Water Act, by promoting effective and responsible water use, treatment, disposal and management, and by encouraging the protection and restoration of watersheds.

Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds (OWOW): OWOW uses sound science to understand and communicate the quality of the nation’s waters; plan for and fund restoration of impaired waters and the protection of high-quality waters; protect, restore and preserve the aquatic environment from pollution; regulate ocean dumping; facilitate monitoring and assessment of waters and watersheds; and apply a watershed approach that prioritizes action to address stressors affecting waters in a geographic area.

Office of Program Analysis, Regulatory and Management Support (OPARMS): OPARMS provides analyses on policy issues that cut across program areas in OW, coordinates the analysis of proposed changes to all relevant statutes, and coordinates/facilitates the review and analysis of policies and regulations relating to the National Water Program.

How to Apply
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis; however, most projects will arise for internship opportunities during the Summer Semester. Please submit your application at least 2 months before each semester is set to begin. We recognize that timeframes may vary due to class schedules and we will work with individual candidates to specify exact timing and duration as necessary. The general timeframes by semester are as follows:

Summer Semester (May through August)
Fall Semester (September through December)
Spring Semester (January through April)

To apply, email a resume, cover letter, and a short writing sample (maximum 5 pages) to: [email protected]. In the subject line, please reference that you are applying to OW’s Student Internship Program, and the semester that you are interested in applying to. If you are interested in interning with a specific office within OW, please state which office in the message body.

*Remote opportunities are not available. Selected candidates are expected to volunteer fully in-person and should be local to EPA HQ in Washington, D.C. upon internship start. *