Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP)

Want to have a positive impact in a public health engineering related field? Engineering students can train alongside active duty Engineer Officers of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) during their summer break as part of the Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program. Adventure awaits you in locations throughout the United States! Participants are paid and receive health benefits, a housing allowance and a travel allowance while gaining valuable engineering experience on projects in under-served populations. The summer internship portion of the program last between 30 and 120 days and you will receive a monthly salary while completing your last year of school! Upon completion of your degree, you will have a full time job at that location with a two year commitment. 

Students can work in collaboration with the Indian Health Service's Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction and be stationed nationwide!

Duties may include:

• Assists with engineering tasks required for the design of individual and community sanitation facilities including water supply and distribution, sewage collection and treatment and solid waste collection and disposal methods.
• Visits sites to obtain information such as condition of systems, location of sewer mains, local water pressures, plumbing layouts, etc., investigates malfunctioning water and sewer system components, and assists with preliminary diagnosis.
• Estimates cost, manpower, and material necessary to correct malfunctioning systems.
• Inspects active construction of water and wastewater facilities or healthcare facilities for compliance with designs and specifications and safety requirements.

Eligibility & Criteria:

Students within one year of receiving a degree in engineering. Participants must be enrolled full-time in an academic or professional training program which upon completion will qualify them to receive a commission in the USPHS Commissioned Corps. Participants must also meet certain physical, medical, and security background requirements.

Benefits: 

• Financial assistance. Up to 12 months of pay equivalent to an Ensign (O-1) while you finish your coursework (more for those with prior service).
• Job upon graduation. A full-time position as a Public Health Service officer immediately upon graduation.
• Housing. A tax-free allowance for your rent or mortgage calculated based on your rank, duty station, and dependent status.
• Free health care. Coverage through TRICARE.
• The same privileges and benefits given to Public Health Service officers.