Native AmericanServing Institutions

Internship Program

Shaping the Future of Agriculture 

by Investing in Students

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Program Aid No. 2241

USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider, 

employer, and lender.

Issued May 2019

Slightly revised August 2020 For general information 

about APHIS and our 

programs, contact: Terry W. Clark, DVM 

Director 

Office of the National Tribal Liaison 

terry.w.clark@usda.gov 

(301) 440-4388 

Carl Etsitty 

Assistant Director 

Office of the National Tribal Liaison 

carl.etsitty@usda.gov 

(970) 494-7573

The U.S. Department of 

Agriculture (USDA) has 

internships

1

 available within 

our Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service, also known 

as “APHIS.” We have partnered 

with several Tribal Colleges 

and Universities (TCUs) and 

other Native American-Serving 

Institutions (NASIs) to offer this 

opportunity for college students. 

Successful applicants receive a 

paid, 8-week summer position 

with APHIS at one of our offices 

around the country. It’s a chance 

to get valuable, first-hand 

experience in APHIS’ day-to-day 

work, as well as insights into 

public service and working 

for a Federal agency. Are you a college student interested in 

animal and plant health? Would you like 

to learn about the many career paths open 

in agriculture and natural resources? 

We have a unique opportunity for you. 

1 These internships are not a part of USDA Pathways 

Programs. For information about opportunities 

offered through USDA Pathways, go to www.usda.

gov/our-agency/careers/usda-pathways-programs. 
What 

Does an 

Intern Do? 

Based on career 

interests and skills, 

accepted student 

interns work with 

one of APHIS’ 

operational programs 

(Animal Care, 

Plant Protection 

and Quarantine, 

Wildlife Services, 

Biotechnology Regulatory Services, International Services, 

and Veterinary Services) or one of our support units 

(Legislative and Public Affairs, Marketing and Regulatory 

Programs Business Services, and Policy and Program 

Development). Interns get professional experience in 

such areas as: field work (e.g., pest surveys, disease 

eradication, wildlife management); laboratory research; 

administration; data analysis; budget and accounting; 

communications and outreach; and other technical and 

scientific work related to agricultural health. 

APHIS pays for all travel and housing 

costs during the internship.

To Apply

Submit a complete application package to a participating 

school (see list below) that includes the following:

s Résumé

s Letter of interest

s Unofficial transcript

s Three letters of recommendation

s Copies of degrees, certificates, or diplomas 

(e.g., Associate’s Degree, General Educational 

Development, High School) 

s An application form (available directly from 

any participating school)

Eligibility

Each applicant must be:

s A U.S. citizen,

s Currently enrolled in a qualifying educational 

institution at least part time, and

s In good academic standing, having at least 

a 2.5 grade point average. 

To obtain and submit an application, 

contact one of these participating schools:

 

Navajo Technical University (New Mexico) 

Dr. Germaine Daye, Associate Professor of 

Veterinary Technology 

Director of NTU Teaching Hospital

gdaye@navajotech.edu s (505) 786-4150 

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute 

(New Mexico) 

Angeline Sells, Instructor (Natural Resources) 

Advanced Technical Education 

angeline.sells@bie.edu s (505) 792-4603 

University of North Carolina at Pembroke 

(North Carolina) 

Myia Reyes, Interim Program Coordinator 

Southeast American Indian Studies Program 

myia.reyes@uncp.edu s (910) 775-4663 

Diné College (Arizona) 

Benita Litson, Director 

Diné College Land Grant Office 

blitson@dinecollege.edu s (928) 724-6940 

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (Minnesota)

Courtney Kowalczak, Director

Environmental Institute

courtneyk@fdltcc.edu s (218) 879-0862 

About APHIS

Our Mission: To protect the health and value of 

American agriculture and natural resources

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is a multifaceted agency with a broad mission area that includes 

protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, 

regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering 

the Animal Welfare Act, and carrying out wildlife damage 

management activities. These efforts support the overall 

mission of USDA, which is to protect and promote food, 

agriculture, natural resources, and related issues. To learn 

more, visit www.aphis.usda.gov. 

Operational Program Units

Animal Care (AC) s Determines and promotes standards 

of humane care and treatment of animals through 

inspections and educational efforts

Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) s Protects 

agricultural and natural resources by ensuring safe 

development of genetically engineered organisms using a 

science-based regulatory framework

International Services and Trade Support Team (IS)

s Provides international animal and plant health expertise 

to safeguard American agricultural health and promote U.S. 

agricultural trade

Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) s Safeguards 

agriculture and natural resources from risks associated 

with the entry, establishment, or spread of pests and 

noxious weeds

Veterinary Services (VS) 

s Protects and improves 

the health, quality, and 

marketability of our 

Nation’s animals, animal 

products, and veterinary 

biologics by preventing, 

controlling, and/or 

eliminating animal diseases 

and by monitoring and 

promoting animal health 

and productivity

Wildlife Services (WS) s Provides leadership to resolve 

wildlife conflicts and create a balance allowing people and 

wildlife to coexist

Management Support Units

Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) s Manages 

communications with Congress, State leadership, industry 

stakeholders, trading partners, and the media

Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business 

Services (MRPBS) s Provides resource management and 

administrative services to support APHIS and other agencies 

in USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission area

Policy and Program Development (PPD) s Analyzes 

policies and develops budgets and regulations for APHIS 

that are consistent with the agency’s environmental 

stewardship goals and legal authorities and conducts critical 

evaluations and reviews to ensure programs are operating 

efficiently and effectively