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The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time Scientific Communications Grant Support position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Washington, DC.

The Office of Research and Development at the EPA supports high-quality research to improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues and help EPA achieve its environmental goals. Research is conducted in a broad range of environmental areas by scientists in EPA laboratories and at universities across the country.

What the EPA project is about

The Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement (OSAPE) is responsible for the Agency’s official Scientific Integrity policy and human subject research review, as well as overseeing and managing: intra-agency science coordination, the Action Development Process leadership, the Regional Science Program, Tribal Science, External Advisory Boards, and EPA extramural research support and partnerships (including research grants and partnerships, challenges, and prizes).  Within OSAPE, the Extramural Research and Partnerships Division (ERPD) provides leadership for and coordination of ORD’s extramural research grants and partnerships with EPA’s programs and regions, tribes, other federal agencies, and key external stakeholders.

The extramural research program provides funding for high-quality research through the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grants program.  The STAR program engages the nation’s best scientists and engineers in targeted research that complements EPA’s own outstanding intramural research programs. STAR’s current focus is within the national research programs of Safe and Sustainable Water Resources, Sustainable and Healthy Communities, Air and Energy, and Chemical Safety and Sustainability.  STAR grantees have a history of producing scientific results that are important for both public health and environmental policy. Through the STAR program, scientists can help build the scientific foundation for sound environmental decisions.

What experience and skills will you gain?

As a team member, you will assist the extramural research staff with the analytical, communication and administrative duties required to support and maintain the extramural research portfolio.

How you will apply your skills

Management and Administrative responsibilities will include:

• Researching and summarizing information relating to innovative activities in environmental science and policy, in communities, government, and other organizations;
• Assisting with administrative and logistical tasks associated with research grant management including tracking deadlines, summarizing reports, planning, organizing and supporting scientific workshops and progress reviews and organizing information on current research projects underway;
• Assisting with record keeping activities in various electronic systems, databases, and paper records;
• Assisting with management of the grant publication database and a contact list of stakeholders;
• Developing and maintaining a calendar of grant activities and program events;
• Assisting in the coordination of logistics among the grantees and EPA staff for meetings, workshops, and other collaborative efforts;
• Assisting in tracking activities and deadlines for active grants; and
• Maintaining records of meetings, correspondence, and action documents, and maintaining a system to track projects in progress.

Communications-related responsibilities will include:

• Writing a summary report based on the results and publications from several related extramural research grants;
• Assisting the team in the development of oral presentations of results and impacts using graphics and other interactive formats;
• Assisting in facilitating the appropriate communication and outreach related to grantee research activities including: creating one-page summaries of the results of EPA funded synthesized from selected reports and published scientific journal articles, developing longer pieces based on directed background research, and developing communication materials for wider audiences; and
• Assisting the team in improving communication of scientific information and improving interactions between scientists and the media, e.g. through online meetings and seminars hosted by NCER.

Outreach

• Attend conferences as requested.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (i.e., Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook);
• Experience in administration support functions (i.e., recordkeeping, filing) and managing records (electronic and hardcopy) or databases;
• Strong communication skills (i.e., written, oral, telephone etiquette, presentation abilities), including effective multi-media technical communications;
• Excellent proof reading and editing skills;
• A high level of attention to detail is essential for this position;
• Experience writing for a lay audience about science, environmental issues or public health concerns as evidenced by a writing sample; and
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, including demonstrated ability to handle multiple assignments with competing deadlines.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Proficiency with Access, database applications, Adobe applications, SharePoint and Project.

Location: This job will be located EPA’s facility in Washington, DC

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $24.68 for hours worked.

Hours: Full-time.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin November 2023. The selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The contract renews each May through 2025.

For more information, contact EPANSSC@orau.org. Do not contact EPA directly.

• Be at least 18 years of age and
• Have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree in biology, toxicology, chemistry, bioinformatics, statistics, engineering, environmental science, environmental policy, computational biology, math, physics, information science or a closely related field from an accredited university or college within the last 24 months and
• Be a citizen of the United States of America or a Legal Permanent Resident.

EPA ORD employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (11 )
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (30 )

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with at least a Bachelor’s degree in biology, toxicology, chemistry, bioinformatics, statistics, engineering, environmental science, environmental policy, computational biology, math, physics, information science or a closely related field of study within the last 24 months; a citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States of America; and not a current employee of EPA ORD or the spouse or child of an EPA ORD employee.