Water Quality, Watershed Protection and Restoration Programs
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 project is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA), Region 10, Office of Water. The appointment will be served in the Office of Water and Watersheds (OWW) in Seattle, Washington.
The mission of OWW is to restore, maintain, and enhance the overall quality of the Region 10's water resources in order to protect the health and diversity of the environment for present and future generations.
This opportunity will provide the participant with exposure to a broad range of technical and policy issues surrounding watershed protection and restoration programs. The participant will be trained in the various components of EPA's water quality programs, observe how the programs fit together to support EPA's water quality goals and reporting requirements, learn how EPA informs and engages with its broad range of stakeholders, and gain experience in program development and implementation.
The participant will learn about TMDLs (watershed restoration plans), the nonpoint source pollution control program (Clean Water Act 319), impaired and threatened waterbodies (Clean Water Act 303d list), and coastal nonpoint pollution control program (Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments, Section 6217). The participant also will learn about other water quality programs in the Office of Water and Watersheds including water quality standards, drinking water, water quality permits, watershed restoration and protection, tribal relations with respect to water quality.
Under EPA mentorship, the participant may:
- Review and make recommendations on various documents or plans for consistency with regulations, EPA policy and/or accepted technical practices.
- Help provide technical support for agency decisions or actions.
- Review data using appropriate data analytics to make recommendations on agency actions or decisions.
- Conduct research or investigations on technical topics to support agency actions or decisions.
- Help prepare technical and scientific documents related to litigation.
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. 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 environmental science, engineering, chemistry, biology or related degree within five years of the starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting date.
Desired skills include:
- Experience or familiarity with databases, R, Excel, ACCESS, GIS and modeling
- Knowledge of Clean Water Act Programs and nonpoint source pollution
- Interest, knowledge and/or experience with environmental policy, law and regulations
- Strong oral and written communication skills
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