*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline. Click here for information about the selection process.
EPA Office/Lab and Location: An opportunity is available at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 10 Water Division located in Seattle, Washington. At this time, the appointment will be remote (pending the COVID-19 pandemic).
The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment. EPA works to ensure that: Americans have clean air, land and water; National efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information; Federal laws protecting human health and the environment are administered and enforced fairly, effectively and as Congress intended; Environmental stewardship is integral to U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy; All parts of society have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks; Contaminated lands and toxic sites are cleaned up; and chemicals in the marketplace are reviewed for safety.
Research Project: Environmental protection and sustainability are critical topics for our youth to understand. Schools around the country are struggling to integrate the concepts into their curricula. The EPA’s Environmental Education Lesson Plans to provide a fun, easily accessible enrichment for Preschool through 5th Grade students.
Over the past ten years, a set of 13 60-minute lesson plans per grade level, preschool through fifth grade have been developed. These lesson plans are used by parents, students, teachers or other interested people and have been tested the lesson plans in local elementary schools or other youth settings. Topics included: Animals, Air, Water, Climate Change, Ecosystems, Energy, Waste, Food, Marine Debris, Oceans, Green Buildings, National Parks, and Endangered Species.
Learning Objectives: The participant will collaborate with EPA on preparing lessons for publication and creating training presentations for EPA employees and the public. The participant may consolidate information already available and fill in the lesson plan gaps (e.g., specify required readings, essays, activities, etc.) where needed. The participant also will collaborate with EPA to continue the testing the lesson plans more broadly, expanding EPA’s outreach, make necessary revisions to the materials, and create new lessons, as appropriate.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Sally Hanft (hanft.sally@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Late Winter/Early Spring 2021. All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors. Click here for detailed information about start dates.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for four months and may be renewed three to four additional years upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding.
Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Click here for detailed information about full-time stipends.
EPA Security Clearance: Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA.
ORISE Information: 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. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.
Questions: Please see the FAQ section of our website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email EPArpp@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
