COSTEP:  Commissioned Officer Student  Training and Extern Program

 

Welcome to the United States Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps (CC) Engineers Website and thank you for your interest in jobs for engineering students.  Much of the information contained on this link is available through the main USPHS service website (www.usphs.gov) under Student Opportunities, which you are strongly encouraged to visit.  However, this page attempts to clarify some information and will hopefully simplify the understanding and application process for the Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (COSTEP), which is the program used to hire engineering students.  Hired students are typically called “COSTEPs.” 

• What’s the difference between the JRCOSTEP and SRCOSTEP programs?  The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps has two work programs for students: the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP) and the Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP).   Basically, the JRCOSTEP program is a temporary Federal job lasting anywhere from 1 month to 4 months.  There is no obligation to the student for accepting a JRCOSTEP assignment.   The SRCOSTEP program on the other hand allows agencies to select a student, for hire, in advance of his/her graduation and in return for monthly financial support during the school year the student guarantees a service obligation to the agency and CC that is twice the number of months funded.  Additional information can be found at www.usphs.gov/student.
• What agencies typically hire engineer “COSTEPs”?   Engineering students may be placed in one of the following Federal agencies:  Indian Health Service (IHS); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH);   National Institutes of Health (NIH);  or the National Park Service (NPS).   The IHS hires the most COSTEPS, who typically work on or near Indian reservations in 32 states, including Alaska. 
• What will I do as a COSTEP?     Summer jobs vary depending on your interests, the agency, and location, but each job provides valuable career experience.    COSTEPs typically work under an experienced engineer doing such things as simple design work, water sampling, equipment testing, and construction inspection.   Often COSTEPs are paired to work on specific short-term projects.   The IHS, which hires the most COSTEPs, constructs water and sewer facilities on Indian reservations and trains operators of these facilities.  IHS utilizes COSTEPs in a number of productive ways that benefits both the project and the students.  This challenging work quite often is outdoors in various rural environments. 

• How does the COSTEP program differ from a regular co-op program?    University co-op’s, internships and COSTEP positions all give an academic break and graduation credit to the student while allowing them to gain work experience and network, most of the times while being paid.  Students often find that this experience helps to build their resume and can open future employment opportunities.   The COSTEP program does not have any co-op pre-arrangements with universities.  Students must work with their university to ensure their COSTEP work is credited toward their degree requirements.
• How much am I paid?    Students receive the basic pay and allowances of an Ensign Officer (pay grade O-1) (approximately $3,200/month) and also receive reimbursement for certain travel and transportation cost between your home/university and your summer work location.  Your pay is also adjusted for any prior military service time and high-cost locations.  COSTEPs receive the same health care & leave benefits as the military and have access to military base facilities.  While the USPHS is a uniform service, summer COSTEP engineers typically do not purchase and wear the uniform.  COSTEPs are responsible for finding and paying for housing, but most COSTEP supervisors typically can assist students in finding very affordable temporary housing.
• What are the requirements needed to apply?  Both programs require that the student be a US citizen and be enrolled in an ABET accredited professional engineering (not engineering technology) program.  The JRCOSTEP program requires that the student have completed 2 years of study by their start date.  The SRCOSTEP program requires that the student have more than 8 months left in school, and therefore guarantee a minimum of 16 months of service time after graduation.  (Visit the websites for other limiting criteria, e.g., age.)

• How do I apply?    Your completed application documents should be received at least 3 months before you are available.  These documents are available at  www.usphs.gov/applynow .  Click on “Application for Appointment as a Commissioned Officer in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps PHS-50” and choose the appropriate box in Item 6.  You are strongly advised to save the document and your work. 
• Want more info?   You can check out the “Frequently Asked Questions on Application” at http://www.usphs.gov/student/jrcostep_faq.aspx or http://www.usphs.gov/student/srcostep_faq.aspx.
• For specific questions about engineer COSTEP opportunities at the IHS, please contact CDR Carol Rogers at carol.rogers@ihs.gov   
• For questions about engineer opportunities at other agencies, please contact CDR Keith Foy at keith.foy@fda.hhs.gov.
• For questions about the application process, please contact CDR Foy.   Also, you might have noticed that at www.usphs.gov/student you are directed to call (800) 279-1605, the Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (OCCO), and ask to speak to the COSTEP Coordinator regarding questions.  When you do, it is recommended that you obtain a name, email address and direct phone number so that you can continue to communicate with the same person at this office.