What are the requirements to apply for a Climate Corps fellowship?
- A college degree with a focus on environmental coursework, or relevant work experience (ex. internships, volunteer experience) is recommended.
- Experience and/or the drive to address racism and create race equity with team members and programmatically.
- Be authorized to work for any employer in the United States for the duration of the fellowship. You may check here to verify if you qualify.
- Willingness to live in the state where the position is located; relocating prior to the start of the fellowship if necessary.
What benefits are offered to Climate Corps Fellows?
- An end-of-program financial award.
- Health care coverage with 100% of insurance premiums covered by the employer.
- Access to a national Member Assistance Program, which includes financial and legal assistance, medical advocacy, and counseling services.
- Professional and personal development training.
- Career-readiness training in interview preparation, salary negotiation, and developing a professional resume and cover letter.
- Panels, workshops, and presentations by climate resilience industry professionals.
- Professional networking opportunities.
Is there a deadline for applications?
- Our recruitment cycles typically begin 2-3 months before the scheduled start date of the fellowship. We advise Fellows to apply as early as they can to give our recruitment team ample time to consider their candidacy, and no less than 2 weeks before the start date.
Can I be considered for multiple fellowships at one time?
- Yes, you can be considered for multiple fellowships at one time. When you select your interests on the application, it lets the recruiting team know your preferences. Note that this does not guarantee that you will be submitted for all the roles in which you are interested.
How often are open Climate Corps positions posted?
- Climate Corps offers four start dates per year: on the first business day of March, June, September, and December. We start posting for the new cycle about 2-3 months before the start date, and we continue to add new positions for that cycle throughout that time.
- If you are not seeing any open positions, then we are between cycles and will start posting shortly. So, check back soon!
Can I modify my application after it is submitted?
- If you need an update, have questions, or are interested in additional positions, then please email us at [email protected]. If you’d like to add more positions to your application, you do not need to submit another application or do another screening call - just email us the position(s) that you have an interest in, and we can add them to your application.
What does the hiring process look like?
- After you have submitted your application, the SEI Recruiting Team will review it to explore the possibility of having you join our program. If your application aligns well with our program, we'll reach out for an initial Zoom interview.
- Following the initial interview, you can expect to hear back from us within four business days via email. If you're progressing in the process, then you'll receive a notification letting you know you've been added to a candidate pool for a specific fellowship position. It's worth noting that you may be added to more than one pool or position, as a result of the diverse opportunities available.
- A candidate pool is a group of 3-4 applicants who are a perfect fit for the indicated fellowship position. Once in the pool, your profile will be thoughtfully reviewed by the partner site that will be hosting the fellowship. Expect them to reach out directly to you within 1-3 weeks to set up an interview.
- After the partner site interview, a decision will be made, and we'll promptly inform you via email within about a week. We're committed to keeping you informed every step of the way, and we're looking forward to the possibility of welcoming you into our fellowship community!
How can I prepare for my interview?
- Be sure to review our most recent open positions before your first interview.
- If you move on to the second interview, be sure to review the job posting for that fellowship position beforehand.
- Want to be sure you ace your interview? Check out these great resources!
What do Fellows do next after their fellowships?
- 98.6% of alumni continue working in a sustainability-related field or pursue higher education opportunities within four months of completing the program.
- Fellows have found incredible opportunities following their fellowship experience. Many seamlessly transition into positions within their hosting organizations, contributing their skills and expertise to make a lasting impact. Alternatively, Fellows utilize the final months of their fellowship to embark on a fulfilling job search, successfully securing roles in sustainability with different organizations. Furthermore, some Fellows decide to enroll in graduate programs after completing their fellowship. This range of post-fellowship paths showcases the versatility of our program and the diverse avenues it opens up for our talented participants.
When will I hear back on my application status? Or how can I check my application status/progress?
- Following the initial interview, you can expect to receive an email within four business days.
- If you do not receive a message within that four-day time frame, you can check in by emailing [email protected].
Is the position I applied for still open?
- If the role is posted on the Climate Corps website, it is still open.
Can current students apply for a Climate Corps Fellowship?
- Generally, Fellows must be able to commit to a 40-hour workweek and be available to work between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekdays. We typically advise Fellows to apply after completing their schooling, or if the start date aligns with their graduation date.
Can international students apply for Climate Corps?
- If you are eligible to work in the United States, can commit to a full-time position, and possess valid I9 documentation for the duration of the fellowship, then you are eligible for the Climate Corps program! Note that SEI cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Can candidates apply if they are authorized to work under optional practical training (OPT) or curriculum practicum training (CPT)?
- As long as you can commit to a full-time position, and possess the necessary documents listed for an I9 (valid for the duration of the fellowship), we are delighted to have you on board! Note that SEI is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
How much in-person/remote work is expected for a fellowship?
- Specific details depend on each partner organization’s needs.
- The position description for each fellowship opportunity will indicate whether the position is remote, hybrid, or in person. For hybrid-specific positions, applicants may inquire further as to what a hybrid schedule might look like during the partner interview.
Can I do a fellowship with a second job?
- SEI’s Climate Corps program offers an immersive and robust fellowship experience that involves full-time project work, training, professional development, and community building. Fellows must be able to commit to a 40-hour workweek and be available to work between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekdays. Specific flexibility on working times can be determined by the supervisor at each site. In addition we expect Fellows to invest themselves in the professional development and community-building elements woven into the fellowship program. Although it is uncommon, previous Fellows have held second jobs, either in the evenings, on weekends, or on a flexible schedule.
Where can I ask additional questions about fellowships?
- Our team is happy to answer any additional questions about Climate Corps via our email address, [email protected]. Due to the high volume of applicants, we are unable to take phone calls from prospective candidates.
I’ve turned in all my hiring paperwork. What’s next?
- Kudos for completing your hiring paperwork! You will be contacted by your SEI Regional Supervisor on or near the first day of your fellowship with the next steps and instructions.
