A complete application 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. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation. 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 recommendations

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.

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

A research opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water (OW). The appointment will be served within the Office of Wastewater Management (OWM), Water Infrastructure Division of the Sustainable Communities and Infrastructure Branch located in Washington, D.C.

The selected participant will gain practical skills and knowledge in the areas of wastewater treatment and recycling technology, cost effectiveness assessment of wastewater treatment and recycling technology, centralized and decentralized wastewater treatment, web-based clearinghouses, information development, and information marketing. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be trained in the following activities:

• Learn about the specifics in American Infrastructure Act of 2018, Section 4102, which mandates EPA to disseminate to units of local government and nonprofit organization seeking Federal funds for wastewater technology information of the cost effectiveness of alternative wastewater treatment and recycling technologies, including onsite and decentralized systems
• Collaborate with staff on special projects ranging from data analysis and contributing to the development of training materials on treatment technologies, to participating on research teams for variety of the wastewater issues
• Identify opportunities to improve the content and delivery of materials to target audiences, including states, tribes, industry groups and the general public, through web redesign
• Trained to research, develop and revise technical and outreach materials to better serve customers accessing information through the web and through EPA clearinghouse systems

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 appointment will initially be for one year and may be renewed up to three additional years upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding. 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 at EPA in the Washington, DC area. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date. Proof of enrollment will be required each semester.

Preferred skills/experience:

• Basic knowledge of wastewater engineering process and system design
• Familiarity with the Clean Water Act permit program that controls the discharge of water pollutants from municipal point sources of pollution
• Developing website material designed to educate and share information with the public and scientific communities
• Knowledge of nutrient treatment technologies in wastewater systems
• Experience in translating highly technical material into a format that is communicable to a non-technical group

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (2 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (4 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (1 )
  • Engineering (7 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (4 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (3 )
  • Physics (1 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (2 )