Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the creation of a new Climate Change Professionals Program to recruit recent graduates and current federal employees to support the Department’s growing focus on adapting to climate change and improving resilience. The program is one of many new activities under the umbrella of the DHS Climate Change Action Group, established in 2021 by Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
“The Climate Change Professionals Program will be instrumental in helping the Department adapt to our changing climate by providing hands-on experience and guidance to young professionals interested in climate adaptation and resilience,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “This program will develop the next generation of climate experts, improve climate literacy throughout the Department, and help us execute our Climate Action Plan to remain mission-resilient while reducing our own impacts on the environment.”
This two-year program will be run by the DHS Office of the Chief Readiness Support Officer and provide participants with hands-on opportunities to contribute to new initiatives that have the potential to substantially help DHS adapt to climate change and improve resilience. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a Climate Change Professional accreditation from the Association of Climate Change Officers and be eligible for permanent, full-time positions at DHS.
Participants in the program will work under the leadership of the Climate Change Action Group. The CCAG is comprised of senior officials from across the Department and focuses on promoting resilience and addressing multiple climate change-related risks, including flooding, extreme heat, drought, and wildfires.
The Climate Change Professionals Program is part of the Secretary’s Honors Program, which was launched in July 2021 to recruit recent graduates and current federal employees with degrees in relevant fields for professional development programs at DHS. Climate change is the second field included in the Secretary’s Honors Program, following the launch of the cybersecurity program last year.
Interested applicants can view the first job postings for the Climate Change Professionals Program on the DHS is Hiring webpage. To learn more about DHS’s climate commitment, visit DHS Actions: Climate Change.
