Governor's Environmental Corps Summer Internship Applications Now Being Accepted

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John Kim announced that the Agency will accept applications for the 2013 Governor’s Environmental Corps (GEC) summer internship program through March 11.

The program is a unique partnership between state government and Illinois corporations, whose sponsorship contributions pay the salaries and expenses of the college students who participate in the nine-week program. The 2013 session will run from June 3 through August 2, with up to 24 participants expected. Salaries have been set at $1645 per month.

“Since 1991, the GEC program has provided a true hands-on learning experience for hundreds
of college undergraduate and graduate students,” said Kim. “I encourage students in such fields as engineering, geology, chemistry and biology to apply. Many GEC interns have gone on to careers in the environmental field and their contributions also energize our own staff mentors each summer.”

The majority of selected students will be matched with staff mentors in Springfield, where
Illinois EPA’s headquarters, laboratory and central regional office are located. However, limited
positions will also be available in regional offices in Des Plaines, Rockford, Peoria, Champaign,
Collinsville and Marion. Available positions are typically in the fields of waste water, drinking
water, air quality, solid and hazardous waste and laboratory analysis.

Students are assigned agency mentors in their chosen environmental area and are able to make meaningful contributions to the regulatory and compliance assistance operations of Illinois EPA. In addition to their work experience in a professional office setting or in field operations, GEC interns also participate in field trips and workshops to gain firsthand knowledge of current environmental challenges and solutions.

Interns stationed in the Springfield area who enjoy working with children can also serve as volunteer instructors in the Junior Governor’s Environmental Corps, an environmental awareness and education program that reaches hundreds of six-to-12-year olds in central Illinois each summer at camps and other venues.

Applications can now be downloaded from the Illinois EPA’s web site at www.epa.state.il.us/
gec or contact Rochelle DeRochi at 217/782-9540.