EPA Integrated Coastal Water Quality Internship

Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA-ORD-CEMM-ACESD-2021-02
How to Apply

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A complete application consists of:
  • An application
  • Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation. 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 recommendations. Click here for detailed information about recommendations.
All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
Application Deadline
8/20/2021 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline. Click here for information about the selection process.

EPA Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling (CEMM), Atlantic Coastal Environmental Sciences Division (ACESD) located in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

Research Project: This research project will combine environmental and social data in coastal areas, as it relates to water quality benefits and policies to improve coastal water quality, including a survey of coastal recreation in New England, compilation of coastal water quality metrics, and other research.  The research project may include the development of models and methods to quantify people’s recreational uses of water, how water quality affects those uses, and people’s values for changes in water quality; people’s perceptions of water quality and how perceptions relate to objective measures of water quality and affect people’s choices; and use of new sources of human mobility data to model people’s behavior and values.

With guidance from the mentor, the research participant may be involved in the following activities:
  • developing, managing, and analyzing spatial datasets;
  • reviewing/analyzing remote sensing data;
  • analyzing and reporting on social and environmental conditions of coastal areas;
  • scripting data management processes, and collaborating on scientific writing or presentations.

Learning Objectives: The research participant will learn about the social and ecological impacts of coastal pollution and to apply data from multiple disciplines for improving decision making. The research participant will also have the opportunity to learn through interactions with individuals and teams collaborating on other cross-cutting human/environment projects at ACESD and other EPA divisions. With guidance from the mentor, the research participant will have latitude in exercising independent initiative and judgment in the research commensurate with the level of training. The research participant will have opportunities to collaborate with EPA Regions, researchers, states, and local stakeholders to improve EPA's abilities in generating and translating decision-relevant social and ecological data to end-users.  The research participant will have the opportunity to attend research team meetings and be involved in all aspects of the research. This may include active engagement with stakeholders regarding applications of the research. There will be opportunities to develop and conduct projects within the overall research program, and to publish and present research.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Marisa Mazzotta (mazzotta.marisa@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Summer 2021.  All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors. Click here for detailed information about start dates.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year and may be renewed up to three additional years upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Click here for detailed information about full-time stipends.

EPA Security Clearance: Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Questions: Please see the FAQ section of our website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email ORISE.EPA.ORD@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master's degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by the appointment start date. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Preferred skills:
  • Quantitative data management and analysis, including: Geographic Information System (GIS) data management, analysis and mapping; statistical analysis and scripting using R, Python, JavaScript
  • Knowledge and experience in working with coastal water quality data and remote sensing analysis
  • Attention to detail and record keeping
Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 9/1/2021 11:59:00 PM.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (4 )
    • Earth and Geosciences (4 )
    • Engineering (7 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (5 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (6 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (2 )
    • Other Non-Science & Engineering (1 )
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (8 )
  • Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).
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