EPA Fellowship with the Nonpoint Source Management Branch, Hypoxia Task Force

EPA Office/Lab and Location: A postgraduate research opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water (OW), Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (OWOW) located in Washington, DC.

Research Project: The selected participant will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through analysis and research with the EPA Hypoxia Team, the Hypoxia Task Force and SERA-46 (a committee of research and extension specialists at land grant universities) in the Watershed Restoration, Assessment and Protection Division, within the Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. The participant will be trained in opportunities for evaluating, improving and communicating results that track the progress of nutrient reduction efforts through varied metrics.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant may:

• Communicate technical, scientific info to the public, stakeholders, partners, and HTF
• Translate complex info to decision-makers; inform policy with technical info and analysis
• Assess environmental and policy issues related to reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the Mississippi River Basin
• Develop and use quantification tools and other indicators of progress
• Develop and form partnerships with those striving toward similar goals
• Participate in agricultural science, monitoring and modeling efforts that can help strengthen efforts to reduce nutrients in the Mississippi River Basin
• Participate in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment reporting and compliance through EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
• Participate in agricultural and water quality-related research conferences
• Understand EPA and Clean Water Act programs to protect water quality and manage water resources

Mentor(s): The mentor(s) for questions about this opportunity is Katie Flahive (flahive.katie@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s) directly.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Summer 2022.  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 one year and may be renewed up to three 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. At this time, the annual stipend for bachelor's degrees is ~$50,643 per year and master's degrees ~$61,947. 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.

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

Questions: Please see the FAQ section of our website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email ORISE.EPA.OW@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.