EPA Fellowship with the Clean Watersheds Needs Survey

Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA-OW-OWM-2023-01
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
3/13/2023 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 LocationThis opportunity is available at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA), Office of Water (OW), Office of Wastewater Management (OWM), Water Infrastructure Division (WID). The Clean Water State Revolving Fund Branch (CWSRF) administers the national CWSRF financial assistance program, a federal-state partnership that provides communities low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects. Headquartered in Washington, D.C.

The CWSRF Branch is also responsible for administering the Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS), a comprehensive assessment of the capital costs (or needs) to meet the water quality goals of the Clean Water Act and address water quality and water quality related public health concerns. The latest CWNS opened data collection on March 1st, 2022 and will close on February 28th, 2023. The results of the survey are analyzed and published in a formal Report to Congress (RtC).

Research Project: The latest CWNS opened data collection on March 1st, 2022 and will close on February 28th, 2023. The results of the survey are analyzed and published in a formal Report to Congress (RtC). The participant will collaborate with their mentor and the CWNS team to participate in data analysis, presentation of results, and report writing in support of the statutorily required Report to Congress. The ORISE participant will have the opportunity to, in collaboration with their mentors:

  • Author sections of the Report to Congress.
  • Explore questions and trends that arise from the analysis of the survey dataset (which includes technical data on wastewater, stormwater, and decentralized systems).
  • Conduct research based on the finalized dataset to tell a “story” about any data gaps that might exist.
  • Develop an in-depth communication strategy to publicize the results of the survey and actions necessary based on the results.
Learning Objectives:
  • How to leverage different communication strategies to convey complex data to a variety of audiences.
  • An understanding of national wastewater and water-quality infrastructure trends in investment 

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Elisabeth Schlaudt (schlaudt.elisabeth@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 2023.  All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors. Click here for detailed information about start dates.

Appointment Length: The appointment may 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. At this time, bachelor's degree stipends are ~$53,105, master's degree stipends are ~$64,957, and doctoral degree stipends are ~78,592 per year. 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.

ORISE offers all ORISE EPA graduate students and Postdocs a free 5 year membership to the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA).

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

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

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred Skills:
  • Experience writing for a lay audience about water infrastructure
  • Strong proof reading and editing skills
  • Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills.
  • Possesses the skills for analysis, critical thinking and problem solving.
  • Proficiency with large datasets and databases (Access, Excel, Oracle)
  • Strong networking and communication skills with a broad range of peers, awareness of strategic relationships, and adaptability to collaborate with diverse groups of people.
Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
  • Academic Level(s): Post-Bachelor's, Postdoctoral, or Post-Master's.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (1 )
    • 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 (48 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
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