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 research training opportunity is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA), Office of Water (OW) in Washington, DC. The appointment will be served with the Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (OWOW).

The participant will be located in the Watershed Branch (WB). This Branch is responsible for leading EPA’s Impaired Waters Listing and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program nationally (https://www.epa.gov/tmdl) and supporting related watershed protection activities. Under the Impaired Waters Listing and Total Maximum Daily Load program established under Clean Water Act Section 303(d), states identify impaired or high quality waters and develop TMDLs and related plans (e.g. alternative restoration or protection plans) for these waters. A TMDL specifies the amount by which a specific pollutant must be reduced to meet water quality standards and allocates pollutant control responsibilities among the sources. EPA reviews and approves the impaired waters lists, approves state-developed TMDLs, and develops TMDLs where necessary. Individually, TMDLs are a critical technical underpinning for watershed restoration decisions and can serve to integrate solutions to water quality problems from point and nonpoint sources. Carrying out this mission involves a blend of programmatic and policy support activities, technical activities in applied watershed science, and communications activities through interactions with states and the public using online and other media.

The ORISE participant will be engaging in research projects regarding the CWA 303d Program. Specifically, the ORISE participant will engage in research regarding:

• Implementing the program 303(d) Program Vision ( (https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/impaired-waters-and-tmdls-new-vision-cwa-303d-program-updated-framework-implementing-cwa-303d) through improved communication and web outreach

• Developing targeted training materials for Watershed Academy and the 303(d) Program

• Reviewing state TMDLs, listings, and litigation and other materials to analyze policy issues related to pollutant allocations, priority ranking, and overlisting

• Understanding current practices related to implementation of specific EPA-approved water quality standards and/or recommended water quality criteria in Section 303(d) listing and TMDLs

Based on their involvement in the activities above, the Participant will learn:

• The respective roles of EPA, states and tribes in achieving the goals of the Clean Water Act to achieve and maintain water quality

• Programmatic approaches and policy and technical tools to identify and develop restoration and protection plans for impaired or high quality waters, including those related to address nutrient impairments

• How states and EPA can continue to push the CWA 303d listing and TMDL program to better achieve environmental results in ways tailored to the specific state priorities

• How to leverage different media to convey water quality information to a variety of audiences

This opportunity will provide excellent exposure to the interface of watershed technical issues and environmental policy. It also offers exposure to the interaction between State and EPA CWA program practitioners in implementing their respective responsibilities under the CWA 303d program. In addition, the participant will be grounded in the relationships and interdependence of the various CWA programs to maintaining and achieving water quality.

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. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time in the Washington, DC area. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

Applicants should have received a master’s degree in an environmental studies, science, or policy within five years of the desired starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting date. A background in watershed science, water quality issues, and watershed assessment methods are strongly preferred.

Strong skills in multimedia use platforms, communications, research, engagement, analysis, outreach and writing on environmental issues, and familiarity and/or experience with the Clean Water Act are desirable.

• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (1 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (4 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (9 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (1 )