Water Quality Standards Adoption and Review
Note: Still accepting applications even though it says September 15 as the desired start date
Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA Water 2016-394
How To Apply
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.
Academic Levels
- Postdoctoral
- Post-Master's
Description
A postgraduate research project training opportunity is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water (OW). This appointment will be served with the Office of Science and Technology in Washington, DC.
The participant will be engaged in science and policy support on the review of state water quality criteria development, especially on water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life. She/he will also be involved the development of technical and policy materials related to adoption of water quality criteria and other water quality standards issues.
The participant will be part of a multi-disciplinary and/or cross-program team on any given project or issue. The participant will be involved in a range of activities supporting EPA’s Water Quality Standards Program, with a particular emphasis on ambient water criteria (including review of state developed water quality criteria). The participant will be trained to: (1) provide support to states and EPA Regions on review of state adopted water quality criteria, including site-specific criteria; (2) coordinate with HECD in science policy analysis to support water quality criteria development and implementation; (3) produce technical and policy reports and documents related to water quality standards issues arising in Regions; (4) develop and deliver training programs for states or tribes on the Water Quality Standards Program issues; and (5) assemble data and information and developing materials and reports for EPA staff concerning biological, chemical, and other scientific aspects of the Water Quality Standards Program.
The participant will learn about the role of water quality standards in achieving the goals of the Clean Water Act, and the relationship between standards and related core Clean Water Act programs such as the NPDES permit program and the Section 303(d) listing and TMDL programs. The participant will learn how to evaluate state developed criteria to determine their protectiveness in light of Clean Water Act requirements. In addition, the participant will gain familiarity with relevant EPA regulations and guidance documents. The project will provide excellent exposure to: (1) a broad range of water pollution control technical and policy issues; (2) the process of applying technical data and information to policy development; (3) interpretation of statutory and regulatory language and its application to state-specific water quality standards proposals and submissions; and (4) synthesizing technical and policy information for presentation to EPA senior managers and appropriate stakeholder groups, including honing the skill of communicating complex scientific or technical information to a non-technical audience.
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.
Qualifications
Applicants must have received a master’s or doctoral degree within five years of the desired starting date or must be a student currently enrolled in a U.S. college or university pursuing a graduate degree. Proof of enrollment will be required each semester. Desired degree discipline in biology, environmental science, environmental management or policy or environmental engineering.
The appointments are full-time for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and contingent on the availability of funds. The participants will receive a monthly stipend. The annual stipend range is $53,435 to $64,650 depending on the educational level. Funding may be made available to reimburse the participants’ travel expenses to present the results of their research at scientific conferences. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for pre-appointment visits, relocation costs, tuition and fees, or health insurance. The participants must show proof of health and medical insurance. The participants do not become EPA employees.
The mentor for this project is Jim Keating (keating.jim@epa.gov). The desired start date is September 15, 2016.
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
- Degree: Currently pursuing a Master's degree or Doctoral degree or have received one of these degrees within 60 months.
- Discipline(s):
- Environmental and Marine Sciences (All)
- Life Health and Medical Sciences
- Biology (General)
- Ecology
- Ecosystem Ecology
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Public Policy
- Science Policy/Science & Society
- Veteran Status: None