Environmental Impact Research Support (Part-time) at EPA

Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA-SSP-0015-7
How to Apply
  • Submit application and supporting documents by clicking on Apply Now button.
  • Do not contact EPA directly.
Description

The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for a part-time (up to 30 hours per week) Environmental Impact Research Support with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Narragansett, RI.

The Office of Research and Development at the EPA supports high-quality research to improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues and help EPA achieve its environmental goals. Research is conducted in a broad range of environmental areas by scientists in EPA laboratories and at universities across the country.

The Atlantic Ecology Division (AED) is an ORD research facility in Narragansett RI. Our research is focused on estuaries and coastal watersheds, but we also have modelers looking at landscape changes, economists quantifying ecosystem services, and managers working at the interface between science and policy. The research conducted at AED is broad in geographic scope, but much of it is regionally based. It's a positive and collaborative work environment. Our scientists and support staff get along well, are happy to be at work, and enjoy their jobs.

The Atlantic Ecology Division at Narragansett, RI is responsible for conducting studies that evaluate the environmental health of aquatic ecosystems. In many coastal watersheds, decisions about how to mitigate nitrogen impacts to waterbodies are made with incomplete knowledge about alternative, decentralized methods of nitrogen removal including wetland and watershed restorations, living shorelines, permeable reactive barriers, and rain gardens. This project will examine the nutrient removal efficiency of one such technology: woodchip-based permeable reactive barriers (PRBs). Although the current state of the science surrounding PRBs is fluid, they have diverse applications and the potential to remove nitrogen before it reaches coastal waters. Using laboratory columns and fieldwork, this research will explore the nitrogen- removal capacity of PRBs under conditions typically encountered in both inland and near-shore environments. The selected candidate shall contribute to studies tracing nitrogen transformations in PRBs, and the effects of episodic seawater flooding on nitrogen dynamics. The research will also contribute to a more holistic evaluation of PRB performance by measuring carbon dioxide and methane production.

Research and analytical duties shall include:

  • Monitoring column performance and maintain flow rates,
  • Collecting, processing, and analyzing samples for dissolved organic carbon and other water quality measures following laboratory protocols,
  • Assisting in the measurement of carbon and nitrogen cycle processes using 15N tracer additions, gas sampling, and denitrification enzyme assays,
  • Using analytical instrumentation including gas chromatography and isotope ratio mass spectrometry, with training provided, and
  • Assisting in the analysis of data.

Communications-related responsibilities shall include:

  • Assisting with preparation of reports and presentations, and
  • Interacting with other members of the research team and AED scientists.

Location: This job will be located at EPA’s facility in Narragansett, RI.

Salary: The selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage for hours worked at a rate of $22.23 per hour.  The selected candidate will work part time (up to 30 hours per week).

Hours: Part-time up to 30 hours per week.

Travel: Overnight travel is unlikely.

Working Conditions:  The selected candidate shall be supervised by a mentor who will provide day-to-day direction, as well as coach, advise and counsel the candidate, and review his/her work.

This position will involve work in laboratory settings with potential exposure to hazardous chemicals and wastewater effluent.

Expected Start Date: The position is part-time (up to 30 hours per week) and expected to begin in June 2017. The selected applicant will be a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The initial contract period is through May 14, 2018. EPA may elect to renew the contract for an additional two (2) 12-month optional periods.

For more information, contact EPAjobs@orau.org. Do not contact EPA directly.

Qualifications

Eligible applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age and
  • Have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or a related environmental sciences field from an accredited university or college within the last 24 months, and
  • Be a citizen of the United States of America or a Legal Permanent Resident.

EPA ORD employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

Successful candidates shall have:

  • Demonstrated coursework in biology (2 semesters), chemistry (2 semesters, with laboratory sections), and statistics (1 semester) is required of all applicants, and
  • Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

It is desirable for the candidates to possess:

  • Coursework in biogeochemistry,
  • Experience in laboratory research in environmental chemistry or environmental science, and
  • Experience with standard water quality procedures (dissolved organic carbon, pH, redox), denitrification enzyme activity assays, dissolved gas sampling, 15N tracer methods, and/or laboratory column studies.
Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
    • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
    • Engineering (2 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
Affirmation

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with at least a Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or a related environmental sciences field from an accredited university or college within the last 24 months; a citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States of America; and not a current employee of EPA ORD or the spouse or child of an EPA ORD employee.

ORAU is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability); visit the ORAU website for required employment notices.


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