BOEM Engagement Advisor for Environmental Justice Communities Research Opportunity
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A complete application package 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. Click Here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
- A current resume/CV
- Two educational or professional recommendations. At least one recommendation must be submitted in order for the mentor to view your application.
All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
BOEM Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available within the Department of Interior's (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) with the Office of Environmental Program (OEP). This opportunity can be based at BOEM’s headquarter offices in Sterling, VA, if desired, with flexibility including virtual options. BOEM specifically welcomes participants who wish to remotely participate from where they may currently reside in environmental justice communities in coastal regions of New York and New Jersey.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), within the Department of Interior (DOI), manages the exploration and development of the nation's offshore energy and mineral resources. It seeks to balance economic development, energy independence, and environmental protection through management of offshore energy and minerals and environmental reviews and studies. For information about the bureau go to: http://www.boem.gov/
Research opportunity within BOEM's Office of Environmental Program (OEP), a headquarters office, that conducts environmental assessments to evaluate the impacts of BOEM-authorized actions by using science, engaging stakeholders, and working with government partners. These assessments provide the public and decision-makers with a clear understanding of environmental risks and benefits so that these factors can be considered with other factors to meet our Nation’s energy and mineral needs. The Division of Environmental Assessment (DEA) within OEP employs approximately 20 staff that routinely discuss ways to improve environmental protection and sustainability as part of BOEM’s mission to develop the Outer Continental Shelf energy and mineral resources. Because of its position within BOEM Headquarters, DEA uniquely coordinates and advises on environmental issues across the agency and with the Department of the Interior and other agencies.
Research Project: The Participant will focus on enhancing meaningful engagement of environmental justice and underserved communities related to offshore wind activities near coastal regions of New York and New Jersey. As such, BOEM specifically seeks Participants with experience living in or serving environmental justice communities in New York and New Jersey. The Participant will be encouraged to spend time learning about BOEM’s work in these areas and identifying, in consultation with their mentor, where their interests and skills would best serve BOEM and the Participant’s goals. The participant would join a team conducting quarterly Environmental Justice Forums related to the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for New York Bight, which analyzes potential impacts of offshore wind development. The activities a Participant can expect to participate in and contribute to:
- Improving BOEM’s understanding of underserved community perspectives
- Shaping meaningful engagement efforts
- Increasing BOEM’s awareness of participatory approaches or methods in energy planning and environmental analyses, and applicability to local communities
- Developing and growing relationships with underserved communities
- Documenting community concerns
- Developing community-informed approaches to potential impacts
- Building partnerships with other agencies or States working on similar topics
- Increasing coordination on overlapping research or activities concerning stakeholder engagement and community impacts
- Enhancing BOEM’s understanding of methods to better identify communities and their concerns
- Identifying research needs and contributing to study ideas
- Developing community-informed recommendations around equitable access to benefits from offshore wind activities
- Providing technical and informational support to environmental justice and underserved communities and community based organizations to help enhance their capacity to participate in the environmental review process
Learning Objectives: This opportunity is related to a high-profile administration goal, and the team often interacts with representatives from throughout BOEM’s program and regional offices, exposing Fellows to a variety of perspectives and issues. Overall, the Fellows will have the unique opportunity to build experience at the intersection of environmental justice, stakeholder engagement, marine sciences, and offshore energy. The mentor will ensure they will be connected to other professionals and technical experts across disciplines within and external to BOEM as relevant to the development of each Participant’s study and career interests. Participants can expect to develop skills in critical thinking, social science methods, and environmental justice in the Federal government context.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Laura Mansfield (laura.mansfield@boem.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 23, 2023. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment initially may be for one year but may be extended for up to four more years upon recommendation of BOEM and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment may be full time or could be part-time (20 hours per week)
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend based on education and experience.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals.
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 BOEM. Participants do not become employees of BOEM, 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: If you have questions about the application process, please email ORISE.BOEM@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
The qualified candidate should have received an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields listed in the eligibility requirements section, or be currently pursuing the degree with completion before June 1, 2028. Degree must have been received within the past five years.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience living in, working in, or serving environmental justice (low-income, minority, or indigenous) communities in New York and New Jersey.
- Degree: Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 6/1/2028 12:00:00 AM.
- Discipline(s):
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