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The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time K12 Environmental and STEM Outreach Coordinator position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.

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.

What the EPA project is about

Within ORD, the Center for Environmental Measurement & Modeling (CEMM) conducts research to advance EPA’s ability to measure and model contaminants in the environment, including research to provide fundamental methods and models needed to implement environmental statutes. The methods and models developed by CEMM are typically applied at the airshed, watershed and ecosystem level.  Within the CEMM Immediate Office, the Research Planning and Coordination Staff (RPCS) leads the planning, coordination, and accountability of research performed by the national lab. The staff consists of Assistant Laboratory Directors (ALDs) and senior staff which assist in the management of the laboratory and research programs. CEMM also has two Associate Directors (ADs) who provide the scientific leadership and oversee the health and ecology programs. 

What experience and skills will you gain?

As a team member, you will primarily support the Director of EPA-RTP’s K-12 Environmental and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Outreach Program, which is part of the CEMM Communications Team. The Director will provide assignments, guidance, and mentoring for the contractor.  The majority of the assignments shall include assisting in the recruitment, coordination, and training of 220+ employees annually who serve as guest speakers, demonstrate hands-on science, and represent EPA at local schools, career fairs, science fairs, and other community events.  The team member will also participate in environmental and STEM outreach at local K-12 schools and community events and support the EPA-RTP Speakers Bureau, www.epa.gov/rtpspeakers/.

How you will apply your skills

The team member will:

• Assist in the recruitment, coordination, and training of ~220+ employees annually who serve as guest speakers, demonstrate hands-on science, and represent EPA at local schools, career fairs, science fairs, and other community events.

• Present environmental science topics at local K-12 schools and community events using hands-on activities. Occasionally, evening and weekend hours are required.

• Plan and coordinate school-wide EPA Science Days, where EPA employees teach environmental science topics to all students in several area schools.

• Facilitate visits to EPA-RTP campus by school and community groups.  Plan tours, educational science activities, and meetings with EPA scientists to showcase careers at EPA.

• Maintain records of all EPA-RTP employee outreach in schools and the community using Excel and keep our outreach calendar up-to-date with events and requests.

• Track requests received from the EPA-RTP Speakers Bureau as well as maintain and update the Speaker Bureau.

• Assist in the planning and implementation of an annual week-long workshop on Climate Change for 25 high school students to educate students about EPA research on climate change.

• Maintain EPA’s STEM Outreach Resource Center which houses materials for EPA volunteers to take to career fairs, science days, or other community outreach events.  This includes hands-on activities and handouts.

• Act as a point of contact for schools and community members to request EPA volunteers for their classes and/or events. 

• On occasion, interact with community groups and organizations involved in STEM and environmental outreach.

• Create new outreach lessons/activities or improve existing ones as needed.

• Write occasional communication pieces for the Program such as blogs and fact sheets.

The team member will perform duties, as requested, according to specifications and instructions provided by the mentor. Where appropriate, the team member will maintain careful and accurate records in designated laboratory notebooks. These notebooks and all other data produced under this order will be the property of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. All necessary instructions and training will be provided by the EPA mentor. The team member may be expected to participate in conferences and seminars in support of this Statement of Work.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Previous work and/or volunteer experience in community and educational outreach, including teaching through the use of hands-on activities;

• Experience with spreadsheets and databases; and

• Excellent communication skills. The team member must be able to communicate proficiently in English both verbally and in writing

Location:  This job will be located EPA’s facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $29.57 for hours worked.

Hours: Full-time.

Travel: Travel within approximately 50 miles of EPA-RTP will be required.

Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin June 2021. The selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The initial project is through May 14, 2022, with up to 3 additional option periods.

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

• Be at least 18 years of age and

• Have earned at least a master’s degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics field, including but not limited to environmental science, environmental health, air/water quality, or science communication or a closely related field of study 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.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Earth and Geosciences (1 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (46 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (10 )

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with at least a master’s degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics field, including but not limited to environmental science, environmental health, air/water quality, or science communication, or a closely related field of study 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.

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