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.

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.

The participant will gain experience with the Watershed Unit which addresses 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 will be trained in the following areas: 

• Reviewing various TMDL reports and lists of impaired waters to assure consistency with technical procedures and EPA policy.
• Preparing technical documents that support EPA’s decisions to approve TMDLs and lists of impaired waters.
• Reviewing monitoring data against states’ impaired listing methodologies and water quality standards and how to make recommendations as to whether the waters are polluted.
• Providing technical support on reviewing states’ progress towards addressing nonpoint source pollution.
• Preparing technical and scientific documents related to litigation.
• Developing procedures to more efficiently and effectively address complex Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

This opportunity will provide the participant with exposure to a broad range of technical and policy issues surrounding water protection 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.

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA.

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.

The appointment is full-time for a one-year period and may be renewed for an additional three years depending on the availability of funding and upon recommendation of EPA. The participant will receive a monthly stipend. The annual stipend will begin at $53,735 annually. Funding may be made available to reimburse the participant's travel expenses directly related and necessary for the accomplishment of the participant’s research project. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for pre-appointment visits, relocation costs, tuition and fees, or a participant's health insurance. The participant must show proof of health insurance. This can be obtained through ORISE. The intern does not become an EPA employee.

The mentor for this project is David Croxton (Croxton.David@epa.gov). The desired start date is April 3, 2017.

• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (2 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (2 )
  • Engineering (2 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (11 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (3 )