1. The OSMRE Semester Internship Program authority to award this Cooperative Agreement is found in the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, as amended, Public Law 95-87, 91 Stat.
445-532; Public Lands Corps Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2005, Public Law 109-154 as amended
credit:
in the National Park Service Centennial Act, Public Law 114-289; and Direct Hire Authority for Resource Assistant Internship Programs outlined by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012, Public Law 112-74, H.R.
2055 Division E Title I Section 121, and 16 U.S.C.
1725(a).
2. The OSMRE Semester Internship Program is designed to partner with non-profit IRS 501(c)(3) eligible applicants who have the administrative capabilities to administer the Semester Internship Program, and who have access to AmeriCorps State and National (hereinafter referred to as AmeriCorps) positions through partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service, or other intermediary organization.
3. The OSMRE Semester Internship Program was developed to support Agency and Bureau goals and provide participants with a meaningful work experience in OSMRE offices nationwide.
Semester Interns are tasked with projects that significantly contribute to their professional development.
4. Recipients of OSMRE Semester Internship Program financial assistance will support an innovative partnership, working directly with OSMRE in the following areas:
(1) community and environmental reclamation, (2) community environmental stewardship, (3) research, (4) data analysis, (5) geographic information systems, (6) mapping, and more.
5. The program is available to current students or recent graduates of an accredited institution of higher learning.
Semester Interns serve ten (10) or fifteen (15) weeks in in OSMRE Headquarters, Regional and Field Offices.
The Semester Internship Program runs three (3) internship semesters:
Fall (August – December; 15 weeks); Spring (January – May; 15 weeks); and Summer (May – August; 10 weeks).
6. Some Semester Internship projects may fit within the guidelines for an AmeriCorps position as defined by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
An AmeriCorps Member is an individual who engages in national service through an activity approved by the Corporation for National and Community Service, or an intermediate organization.
Members receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving.
Upon successful completion of their service, Members may earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from the National Service Trust that Members can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans.
7. Semester Internship projects that do not fit the requirements for an AmeriCorps position will be categorized as general intern positions and participants will be paid minimum wage in the state in which they are serving.