EPA Ecological Assessment Support Associate
EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program
Position Type: Entry Level
(Full-Time)
Location: Washington
, District of Columbia (United States)
Description: The EPA
Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening
for an Ecological Assessment Support Associate with the Office of Research and
Development at the EPA facility in Washington, D.C.
The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within the
EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) is responsible for developing
scientific assessments on high priority issues affecting human health and ecological
systems (http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/).
In this capacity, NCEA’s scientists occupy a critical position
connecting the research community with the environmental policy-making
community. NCEA’s work often serves as key input to EPA’s decisions, and staff
is often called upon to provide their expertise to help other parts of the
Agency.
Among many other assessments, NCEA staff members are currently
assessing the potential effects of hydraulic fracturing activities on drinking
water. This involves assessing the potential effects at five stages of the
hydraulic fracturing water cycle: the acquisition of water; the mixing of
chemicals to produce fracturing fluid; the injection of fluid belowground; the
handling of flowback and produced water; and the disposal or treatment of
wastewater.
NCEA has an opening for one Associate that will support the scientific
work of NCEA, including the hydraulic fracturing drinking water assessment
(HFDWA). NCEA is seeking an individual with Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent
in one of the following fields: ecology, biology, geography, human health,
toxicology, chemistry, hydrology, engineering, including petroleum or
environmental engineering. This non-laboratory position is ideal for
individuals interested in the analysis and application of data to support the
development of human health and ecological assessments to inform policy makers.
The Associate will assist NCEA with scientific assessments.
Responsibilities will include:
• Obtaining and cataloging scientific literature and data to assist EPA
staff in the development of human health and ecological assessments.
• Providing administrative and technical assistance in support of the
analysis of scientific literature and other data.
• Providing administrative and technical assistance in support of
addressing public and scientific review comments.
• Maintaining records of meetings, correspondence, and action
documents, and maintaining a system to track projects in progress.
• Assisting in the logistics and coordination activities for briefings,
meetings, workshops, and other collaborative efforts.
• Assisting the development of oral presentations using graphics and
other interactive formats.
• Participating in a range of scientific staff efforts, conducting
Health and Environmental Research Online (HERO) database analyses and entries,
performing QA/QC evaluations and library research (via internet).
• Keeping the student’s mentor informed about progress via oral or
written progress reports as necessary, at least biweekly.
• Maintaining careful, easily legible, and accurate records in written
or electronic forms.
• Maintaining professionalism in a manner that supports the Quality
Assurance functions and responsibilities by following established QA procedures
and protocols to ensure that all environmental data generated or used by NCEA
employees are scientifically sound, legally defensible, and of known and
acceptable quality for their intended uses.
Location: This job will be located at EPA’s facility in Washington, DC.
Salary: Selected applicant will become temporary employees of ORAU and
will receive an hourly wage for hours worked, based upon position, education
and locale.
Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.
Expected Start Date: The position is full-time and expected to begin in
February 2015. The initial project is through November 19, 2015, and may be
renewable up to 4 one-year optional periods.
For more information, contact EPAjobs@orau.org.
Job Function: Administrative/Support
Services, Computer Science/Statistics, Management/Administration, Sciences,
Other
Duration: The position
is full-time and expected to begin in February 2015. The initial project is
through November 19, 2015, and may be renewable up to 4 one-year optional
periods.
Approximate Hours Per Week: 40
Salary Level: applicant will
become temporary employees of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage for hours
worked, based upon position, education and locale.
Qualifications: Eligible
applicants must:
• be at least 18 years of age and
• have earned a recent (within the last 24 months) Bachelor's degree in
ecology, biology, geography, human health, toxicology, chemistry, hydrology,
engineering, including petroleum or environmental engineering and
• be legally authorized to work in the United States of America.
EPA ORD employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate
in this program.
Desired Expertise, Skills, Education, and/or Experience:
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience working on teams.
• Strong analytical skills, combined with written and oral
communication skills.
• Experience in evaluating scientific literature and mining data.
• Self-directed and motivated.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (i.e., Excel,
PowerPoint, Word, Outlook), desktop publishing, and the Internet
• Experience in administration support functions (i.e., recordkeeping,
filing) and managing records (electronic and hardcopy) or databases.
• Excellent proof reading and editing skills.
• Experience in geographic information systems (GIS).
