A complete application consists of:

• An application

• Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts

• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list

• Two educational or professional references

  All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

  If you have questions, send an email to EPArpp@orau.org . Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

A postgraduate internship project is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Air and Radiation/Office of Atmospheric Programs in Washington, DC. This internship will be served with the Climate Change Division (CCD) in the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Branch (GGRB).

CCD is one of four divisions in EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs. It assesses and addresses global climate change and the associated risks to human health and the environment. As directed by Congress, EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) collects annual greenhouse gas information from the top emitting sectors of the U.S. economy.

The GHGRP is the only dataset containing facility-level greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data from major industrial sources across the United States. With four years of reporting for most sectors, GHGRP data are providing important new information on industrial emissions—showing variation in emissions across facilities within an industry, variation in industrial emissions across geographic areas, and changes in emissions over time at the sector and facility level. EPA is using this facility-level data to improve estimates of national greenhouse gas emissions, including the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory. The data are also being used to inform regulatory actions and voluntary emission reduction efforts.

The intern will have the opportunity to  use their technical and policy background by being involved in GGRB’s data and policy analyses for various industrial sectors (e.g., oil and natural gas; municipal landfills; underground coal mines; carbon, capture, and sequestration), with particular attention to the following activities:

Regulatory Support – The intern will be mentored by senior GGRB staff in the development and maintenance of Clean Air Act rulemakings. The intern will gain proficiency in the interpretation of existing Clean Air Act regulations.

Data Systems - The intern will learn how the GGRB data team develops and improves features of the electronic GHG data system (i.e., the electronic Green House Reporting Tool) to assist EPA in the collection, verification, and publication of GHG data. These features will enhance the existing electronic system and build additional features that provide ease-of-use for reporters. The intern will observe the team as they provide intelligent information technology solutions to address GHG reporting requirements.

Implementation and Data Analysis – The intern will learn how the implementation team organizes and disseminates the data collected by the GHG data system. These efforts include the implementation of web-based publication tools that represent accurate data. The intern will observe the implementation team verify the data collected and provide feedback on verification checks. The implementation team will work on outreach and communication with stakeholders. The intern will also observe the development of a website that presents information in an easily accessible and understandable format.

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA.

Applicants must have received a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in environmental science, climate change science/policy, science communications, or a closely related field within five years of the desired starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the start date. A solid understanding and knowledge of climate change science is desired.

The appointment will be full-time for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend. The monthly stipend will range from $3,792 to $4,117 based on educational level and prior experience. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for pre-appointment visits, relocation costs, tuition and fees, or a participant’s health insurance. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee.

The mentor for this project is Margie Clayton (clayton.margie@epa.gov).

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (2 )
  • Engineering (5 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (2 )