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Agency Description:
The White House Council on Environmental Quality coordinates federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives. The Council's Chair - James L. Connaughton - is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate and serves as a principal adviser to the President on environmental policy. CEQ also oversees federal agency implementation of the environmental impact assessment process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and helps resolve interagency disagreements in connection with that process.

Congress established CEQ within the Executive Office of the President as part of NEPA in 1969. Additional responsibilities were provided by the Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970.

In enacting NEPA, Congress recognized that almost all federal activities affect the environment in some way and mandated that before federal agencies make decisions, they must consider the effects of their actions on the quality of the human environment. NEPA assigns CEQ the task of ensuring that federal agencies meet their obligations under the Act. The challenge of harmonizing our economic, environmental and social aspirations has put NEPA at the forefront of our nation's efforts to protect the environment

Detailed information about CEQ's various roles and responsibilities can be found at our website at www.whitehouse.gov/ceq.

Job Description:
The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is a small agency, currently staffed with twenty-one people. Interns serve primarily as administrative and research support staff. This means sharing office duties with other interns and with permanent staff. Duties might include answering phones, routing mail, copying documents, filing and retrieving information (conventionally or electronically), assembling briefing materials and performing assigned research tasks. The pace is fast. Accuracy and attention to detail are absolute requirements. Interns can expect to begin with the basics and gradually add more specialized projects as they gain experience.

Qualifications Needed:
We are seeking students who are committed to the preservation of our environment and our national economic strength. Applicants must be highly motivated, willing to contribute where needed and able to handle the inherent pressure that comes with working within the Executive Office of the President.

These positions are unpaid internships. Prerequisites include a 3.4 grade point average, excellent communications skills, computer literacy and relevant classroom or practical experience. We strongly prefer candidates who are available to work full time, but will consider applicants who are willing to work 14 hours per week as a minimum. CEQ will work with interns who are attempting to arrange credit with a college or university to help fulfill academic requirements.

NOTE:   Please be aware that the White House has a zero-tolerance policy for drug use. You will be required to take a drug test prior to beginning your internship. You will also be asked about any use of drugs during your security interview. Failure to pass the drug test will result in your immediate disqualification.