EPM Practicum Agreements

EPM Practicum Agreements

The EPM program has connections with many local agencies to help students network and find a practicum opportunity. If you are interested in learning more about networking and finding a practicum, you can see more resources here.

The program also has formal contracts with two agencies, who take several EPM student trainees to work on their practicum each year. 

California Department of Conservation (DoC)

The EPM program has an agreement with the California Department of Conservation to take between 2-4 student trainees per academic year. The timing for the trainee positions vary, but usually a call for applications will go out between January-March each year. 

Process
  • The Director will send a call for applications email to all current EPM students with project descriptions.
  • To apply, students will submit a resume and cover letter per instructions.
    • The cover letter should reference which project(s) you would like to work on and your qualifications.
    • The cover letter and resume should be saved as one document in PDF format. 
  • The Director will review applications and make recommendations to the DoC.
  • The Director will coordinate with the DoC to organize interviews.
  • Selected candidates will be notified and connected with their supervisor to discuss next steps.
Timing

DOC trainees usually start in summer, but are flexible based on the supervisor and student's schedule.

Payment

Selected students are paid a $5,000 stipend for a total of 180 hours of the traineeship. Stipends are paid to the student via Banner monthly for the duration of the project. You can see more information about regulations for students receiving fellowship stipends here. You can see more information on disbursement dates here.

USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) California

The EPM program has an agreement with NRCS California to take up to 2 student trainees per academic year. A call for applications will go out in October of each year.

Process
  • The Director will send a call for applications email to all current EPM students with project descriptions.
  • To apply, students will submit a resume and cover letter to the Associate Director.
    • The cover letter should reference which project(s) you would like to work on and your qualifications.
    • The cover letter and resume should be saved as one document in PDF format. 
  • The Director will review applications and make recommendations to NRCS.
  • The Director will coordinate with the NRCS to organize interviews.
  • Selected candidates will be notified and connected with their supervisor to discuss next steps.
Timing

NRCS traineeships will start in January and end in May of each year. 

Payment

Selected students are paid a $5,000 stipend for a total of 180 hours of the traineeship. Stipends are paid to the student via Banner monthly for the duration of the project. You can see more information about regulations for students receiving fellowship stipends here. You can see more information on disbursement dates here.

Other informal partnerships

The EPM program partners with other organizations for student practicum internships without formal agreements. These organizations take students on as time and funding allows. Formal calls for applications will come from the Director. Examples include:

  • Sierra Institute for Community and Environment
  • University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR)
  • California Department of Transportation
  • Water Audit California

Students should check with the Director before contacting any of these organizations.