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 (OAR) in Washington, DC. The internship will be served with the Global Methane Initiative Team in the Climate Change Division.

EPA is the lead agency for the U.S. government on the Global Methane Initiative (GMI), a voluntary, multilateral international partnership of 42 countries and the European Commission that aims to reduce global methane emissions and to advance the abatement, recovery and use of methane as a valuable clean energy source. GMI targets five major methane emissions sources: agriculture, landfills, underground coal mines, natural gas and oil systems, and municipal wastewater. By promoting methane recovery and use projects, the Initiative aims to increase energy security, enhance economic growth, improve environmental quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the world.

As the lead Partner for GMI, EPA coordinates extensively with the Department of State and other relevant U.S. government agencies to facilitate engagement from country Partners and help EPA with its role of hosting the GMI Secretariat. The Secretariat is responsible for facilitating communication among members, planning GMI Subcommittee and Steering Committee meetings, and developing outreach and communication materials for the Partnership. The GMI Secretariat is housed in the Climate Change Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs/Office of Air and Radiation.

The participant will have the opportunity to learn about climate change and related issues, and participate in a variety of challenging and rewarding projects. Typical team projects will include:

• Developing a database and information about GMI partners’ methane-specific national plans; designing a survey to develop more in-depth knowledge about partners’ plans and activities related to methane mitigation, including their challenges and information needs; developing a comprehensive summary of survey results and interpret those results, including recommendations for activities that may assist partners in addressing and overcoming their challenges and barriers; communicating those results to management.

• Facilitating communication and outreach activities among partners and the public, including the following:

  • Coordinating information gathering from 43 participating partner governments and developing an accomplishments report summarizing partner activities;
  • Developing fact sheets and web site content about the Partnership;
  • Maintaining GMI’s social media platform, and developing new innovative outreach strategies to partners and stakeholders;
  • Revising and updating the globalmethane.org and EPA methane web sites;
  • Preparing materials and planning for agency, inter-agency, and international meetings;
  • Maintaining and facilitating communicating with international partners and key stakeholders on a variety of issues related to the partnership, climate change, and methane programs;
  • Coordinating with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and United Economic Commission for Europe on joint action;
  • Becoming well-versed in specific sector technological and policy issues.

The participant will have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of the U.S. national voluntary methane programs and the international Global Methane Initiative.

This internship will provide the opportunity to make contacts with both national and international environmental and industry professionals, enhance research and writing skills, and increase knowledge of voluntary federal programs on climate change. The small size of the team ensures that the participant will play an important role and will be exposed to a variety of different tasks and learning opportunities.

For more information on the Global Methane Initiative Partnership please visit www.globalmethane.org and for more information about CCD’s programs, please see https://www.epa.gov/gmi. Comprehensive information on climate change science and policy can be found at http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/.

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 master’s degree in environmental policy, environmental science, public affairs, international affairs, 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 starting date. An understanding of environmental policy making and government, and the ability to speak a foreign language are desirable.

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. 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 Monica Shimamura (Shimamura.monica@epa.gov).

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (1 )