The following information on DOI- Insular Areas Office internship program and selection of a field rep for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is from the office of DOI Asst. Sec. Kia’aina.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

There are openings for Summer 2015 in the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) for post-secondary level students to participate in an Insular Affairs Internship Program, which is modeled closely after President Obama’s Pathways Program launched four years ago to improve recruiting efforts.  The program will offer clear paths to federal internships for students, and provide meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals who are at the beginning of their federal service.

"We are pleased to extend this opportunity through the Department of the Interior to help build the professional capacity of students interested in the U.S. territories or Freely Associated States,” said DOI Asst. Secretary Kia’aina. “Through this important initiative we aim to provide federal government work experience and teach the importance of public service with a particular focus on Insular Area issues.”

Student applicants, who have completed 2 full years of post high school study will learn about the workings of Washington, D.C., through first-hand experience at the Office of Insular Affairs and work closely with the Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas and other OIA leaders on federal issues impacting the insular areas. Those interested may apply online through USAJOBS at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/390291100, Job Announcement OS-RC-15-MM1291483 (PW). 

The application period opens on January 8, 2015, and closes on January 23, 2015.  Students from the U.S. territories and Freely Associated States who have completed two full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree are highly encouraged to apply.

CNNMI FIELD REP

Kia’aina also announced the selection of retired U.S. Army Colonel Harry Camacho Blanco, who was born and raised in the Northern Marianas Islands, to serve as the Office of Insular Affairs Field Representative in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Colonel Blanco is the first person from the Northern Marianas to achieve the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army, and was the CNMI’s highest-ranking Army officer.

“Colonel Blanco will work on a wide range of issues and projects in the Northern Mariana Islands, including federal efforts to strengthen the federal-CNMI relationship, working with government officials on government efficiency and labor and immigration issues, implementation of capital improvement projects, and assisting the Office of Insular Affairs with military expansion proposals and climate change and natural resources management initiatives,”  Kia’aina said

“These are complex issues requiring someone who is knowledgeable of local customs, federal laws, rules, regulations and procedures.  Colonel Blanco brings a wealth of experience during his tenure with the U.S. Army and CNMI government on project management, program operations and communications that will well serve our current Office of Insular Affairs team and the people of the Northern Marianas,” she added.

(Source: DOI press releases)