2024 CAPAL U.S. Forest Service Public Land Corp & USDA ARS Application

This application form is intended for students interested in the 2024 U.S. Forest Service Public Land Corps and USDA ARS internship program. This program is open to students and recent graduates with an interest or background in: natural resources, STEM, biology, forestry, etc. for an internship with the U.S. Forest Service and USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS). Students have the opportunity to be considered for the U.S. Forest Service Public Land Corps Program and USDA ARS Internship Program. The U.S. Forest Service Public Land Corps Program consists of a 640-hour internship with the U.S. Forest Service that provides students with hands-on field experience at one of U.S. Forest Service’s national sites as well as professional development opportunities. The USDA Agricultural Research Service Program consists of a 320-hour, STEM-based research internship in a USDA ARS field office. 
 
If you are interested in applying for the general 2024 Public Service Scholarship & Internship Program, please apply here

CAPAL U.S. Forest Service & USDA ARS Internship Program

Have you applied for the CAPAL program before?  *
What is your current status as a student? 

This program is open to both current undegraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates.  *
All students, in addition to their internship, are required to participate in CAPAL's programming including: Washington Leadership Program series, mentoring, cohort sessions, Community Action Project, professional development workshops, and roundtables. Upon acceptance into CAPAL's program, will you be able to participate in CAPAL's programming? 

A previous program schedule can be found here
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In the circumstance that you will be working virtually, will you have access to a reliable Internet connection on a computer or laptop?  *
The CAPAL U.S. Forest Service Public Land Corp Program consists of a 640-hour internship with the U.S. Forest Service. These internships provide hands-on fieldwork experience at U.S. Forest Service sites and involve projects ranging from: Natural Resource, STEM, ArcGIS mapping, etc. These internships can occur over 2 consecutive semesters (for example, fall & spring, spring & summer, or 2 consecutive summers), and the intern would be compensated accordingly. Are you able to commit to a 640-hour internship? 

These internships are intended to serve as pathways programs with the internship agency for potential longer-term employment. 
In addition, CAPAL is recruiting for a 320-hour, STEM-based research internship with the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Are you able to commit to a 320-hour internship? 

These internships are intended to serve as pathways programs with the internship agency for potential longer-term employment. 
CAPAL offers internship opportunities year-round. Please select the terms below that you would like to be considered as an applicant.
If you selected more than one term, please rank your preferences for the terms that you would like to be considered for. 1=First Preference, 2= Second Preference, 3= Third Preference (This is OPTIONAL)
If you have applied for the spring and/or fall 2024 terms, will you be available to intern full-time (40 hrs/week) or part-time? (Part-time hours will vary depending on the internship agency. Hours can range from 20-30 hrs/week) 

Spring and fall internships will be part-time or full-time. All summer internships will be full-time. 
Are you currently part of a program where you will receive funding for an unpaid public service internship? 

CAPAL provides a stipend for all students, however in the case that the student is receiving funding for their internship from another source, CAPAL can match the student at a partner organization, supported by the student's external source of funding in lieu of the CAPAL-issued stipend. 
In the case that the internship is in-person, will you be available to travel to the internship site? (CAPAL provides a travel reimbursement of up to $1000 for travel to the internship location.) If there are certain cities/locations you have preference for should the internship be in-person, please indicate so below

Note: U.S. Forest Service Offices are typically located in rural communities or national parks, surrounded by nature. Previous internship locations include: Lake Tahoe, CA, and Milford, PA. (Government housing will likely be available). 
 
Do you currently possess a valid driver's license? *
Would you like to be considered as an applicant for CAPAL's General 2024 Public Service Scholarship & Internship Program? Program requirements and details will vary. Additional information about the program can be found here*
***Due to the extraordinary circumstances related to COVID-19, CAPAL is actively monitoring ongoing developments in the community. We will provide updates to applicants related to internship placements and programming as necessary. Please contact hannah.park@capal.org for any further inquiries.***

Education

Degree Pursued *
Academic Year *
Are you currently enrolled as a full or part-time student? *
Do you currently attend a member school of the Midwest Asian American Students Union?

Check if your school is a MAASU member organization here. Note: If you attend a MAASU Member School, you will be elgibile for the Midwest Asian American Students Union (MAASU) Scholarship.  *

Skills

Your answers in this section do not determine placement in the program, rather your answers assist evaluators in deciding which internships would be best suited as related to select skills you may possess. Please answer honestly.
Natural Resources 
 
Please rank your proficiency/familiarity in the field of natural resources on a scale of 1-5. This can include any previous experiences with: wildlife biology, botany, fisheries, forestry, hydrology, geology, etc. 
Public Affairs & Communications 
 
Please rank your proficiency/familiarity in the field of public affairs and/or communications on a scale of 1-5. 
Public Services 
 
Please rank your proficiency/familiarity in the field of public service on a scale of 1-5. This can include previous experiences in areas such as: recreation, landscape architecture, archeology/heritage, firefighting, aviation management, etc. 
Research and Development
 
Please rank your proficiency/familiarity in the field of research and/or development on a scale of 1-5. 
Business and Administration

Please rank your proficiency/familiarity in the field of business and/or administration on a scale of 1-5. This can include previous experiences such as: budget, contracting, human resources, administrative and management support, etc. 
Engineering

Please rank your proficiency/familiarity in the field of engineering on a scale of 1-5. This can include previous experiences such as: civil/roads engineering, computer engineering, etc. 
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Application Materials





Demographic Information

CAPAL is commited to opening applications to candidates from all communities. You may omit any information by selecting "prefer not to answer". 
Sex *
Are you currently a recipient of needs-based financial aid? (Needs-based financial aid can include, but is not limited to: Pell Grant, SEOG, Federal Work Study, state scholarships, institutional aid, external scholarships, etc) *
Are you authorized to work lawfully in the United States? *
How did you first hear about CAPAL? *
Which ethnicity do you identify as? Please check all that apply or list your ethnicity if not displayed. 

Race refers to physical characteristics that may group diverse communities (i.e. Asian, Black, White, etc). Ethnicity refers to cultural factors such as nationality, language, and regional cultures (i.e. Filipino Americans, Ethiopian Americans, Irish Americans, etc). Please respond in terms of your ETHNICITY. *
 

Additional Information

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Thank you for completing the 2023 CAPAL Public Service Scholarship and Interhship Program Application. All information and data will be stored to provide future information for CAPAL's internal records and programming. If you have any further questions, please reach out to hannah.park@capal.org