Tribal Climate Youth Programs

Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Branch of Tribal Climate Resilience partners with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in collaboration with multiple federal, Tribal, and non-governmental organizations to offer an experiential, youth-driven conservation leadership training for Native high school and college-aged youth known as the Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress (NYCALC).

NYCALC's mission is to develop future conservation leaders with the skills, knowledge, and tools to address environmental change and conservation challenges to better serve their schools and home communities.

For more information about NYCALC, visit the official website.

BIA Pathways Internship Program

The BIA Pathways Internship Program connects Native American and Alaska Native students to paid internships across the United States. With meaningful projects, rotational assignments, and multi-semester opportunities, Pathways prepares you for an impactful career in public service and offers a direct pipeline to full-time employment with the BIA or Tribal Nations upon graduation. This program is run by the Branch of Pathways. 

2024 Pathways Internship Enrollment Now Open

The BIA Pathways Internship Program is now accepting applications for 2024 summer internships! Round 1 (priority consideration) applications will be open from September 20 to October 5, 2023. Visit the USAJobs announcement to apply.

• You must be over 18 and a current college student to apply. Review all eligibility requirements.
• Read our How to Apply Guide to learn what forms you’ll need and how to prepare your resume.
• Applicants must submit BIA Form 4432 and all required documents to be considered with Indian Preference.
• Learn about the experiences of past interns on the Pathways Storymap.

For any questions about the program or application process, please email OTSPathways@bia.gov. Pathways staff are available and happy to provide guidance.

Other Federal Pathways Programs

The Department of State offers career development programs across the United States. These include Pathways Internship Programs, the Recent Graduates Program, and the Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF). Learn more about each and what they have to offer at the U.S. Department of State website. This information can also be found on the new U.S. Office of Personnel Management Intern page.

Indian Youth Service Corps

The intent of the Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) Program is to expand opportunities for Tribes to participate in Public Land Corps activities and to provide a direct benefit to members of federally recognized Indian Tribes or Alaska Native corporations. It is organized by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other partners. The IYSC Program will provide meaningful educational, non-Federal employment, and training opportunities to youth and young adults aged 16-30, inclusive of veterans aged 35 or younger in a natural or cultural resource setting, through conservation projects on eligible service land - public lands and Indian lands.

If you are a Tribe looking to partner on a project or if you are a prospective intern seeking to apply, contact BLM National Youth Programs Lead, Michael Brown, at m55brown@blm.gov. 

To learn more, read the official press release. 

Civilian Climate Corps

Similarly to IYSC, the Civilian Climate Corps (CCC) program is organized by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and will facilitate stewardship and conservation projects through partnerships with youth corps and conservation corps groups. The program offers participants job skill development, exposes youth to public service, expands understanding and appreciation of the nation's natural and cultural resources, and enhances interest and qualifications for conservation careers. The CCC provides work opportunities and education for young people ages 16-30 (and returning veterans up to age 35) in natural and cultural resource conservation, professional development, and scientific studies. The CCC will utilize the PLC hiring authority to offer an opportunity to attract and recruit entry-level employees to the BLM within two years of completing 640 hours of creditable service. 

Learn more on the Bureau of Land Management website.

Learn more about partnering with the BLM and conservation organizations on Civilian Climate Corps projects on the Bureau of Land Management website.

Additional Opportunities

For additional federal and non-federal opportunities centering climate resilience, view our "2023 Opportunities for Indigenous Youth and Young Professionals" handout or contact Natural Resource Specialist and Tribal Youth & Climate Liaison, Coral Avery, by email at coral.avery@bia.gov or by phone at (505)-917-5536. 

Events