Intern, Pollution Prevention and Toxics Reduction Team - U.S. EPA, Great Lakes Office

A research project is available with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) in Chicago, Illinois.

Project Background: In December 2004, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration of National Significance (GLRC) was launched, creating a unique partnership of key members from federal, state, and local governments, tribes, and other stakeholders for the purpose of developing a strategic plan. This strategy is intended to build upon the extensive regional efforts to date, working together toward a common goal of restoring and protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem for this and future generations.

Among the issues addressed by the GLRC Strategy is the continuing problem of persistent toxic pollutants in the Great Lakes basin ecosystem. To help address this ongoing problem, several high priority project proposals have been put forward by the collaboration, including but not limited to, a basin-wide phase-down strategy for mercury emissions, a basin-wide outreach campaign to address the proper disposal of unused medicines and electronic waste, and surveillance for new and emerging contaminants of concern.

Objectives: The overall objectives of this project are to help develop a basin-wide mercury emissions phase-down Strategy with states and tribes, assist with an education/outreach campaign to address the proper reuse, recycling and disposal of electronic waste and disposal of unwanted medicines in the Great Lakes basin. The intern will also assist with Great Lakes Legacy Act remediation projects.

Impact on Protecting and Enhancing the Environment: The outreach campaigns and mercury emissions phase down strategy are key pollution prevention tools that will reduce the presence of persistent toxic substances in the Great Lakes basin ecosystem.

Specific Tasks: The intern will be involved in the following:
• Research and development of written materials for pollution prevention outreach campaigns concerning electronic waste (e-waste) and unwanted medicines
• Implementation of e-waste and unwanted medicines workshops
• Research and development of a basin wide mercury emissions phase-down strategy,
• Legacy Act Projects, as time permits.

Expected Results:
• Many Great Lakes Basin communities will be educated by these outreach campaigns on the impacts of unwanted medicines and e-waste and will be working toward programs to assist their communities with solutions to these issues.
• A completed basin-wide mercury emissions phase-down strategy

Benefits to the Intern: During the appointment the intern will:
• Learn about environmental and waste management issues associated with electronic waste and unwanted medicines;
• Learn about environmental policy associated with mercury emissions;
• Learn about the design and implementation of environmental education and outreach workshops
• Learn about the Great Lakes Legacy Act Program

Qualifications: Applicants should have received a bachelor’s degree in a related field with coursework in math, science and communication within three years of the desired starting date. Applicants should have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and the ability to perform as a team member. Basic knowledge of the Great Lakes ecosystem, computer skills, and excellent inter-personal skills are also desired. The ability to take initiative or self-direct is a plus. Occasional overnight travel may be involved.

The program is open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, or status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran. U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status is preferred (but can also hold an appropriate visa status, however, an H1B visa is not appropriate.

The appointment is full-time for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and subject to availability of funds. The participant will receive a biweekly stipend. The intern does not become an employee of EPA.

The Internship Program for EPA is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Please reference Project # EPA Region 5-GLNPO-2008-01 when calling or writing for information. For additional information and application materials contact:

Internship Program – EPA
Attn: Betty Bowling, MS 36
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
P.O. Box 117
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831
Phone: (875)576-8503
FAX: (865)241-5219
e-mail: betty.bowling@orau.org

An application can be found at http://www.orau.gov/orise/edu/EPA/app-gugrgpd.pdf.