Public Policy Studies @ DePaul University 2352 North Clifton Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60614 (773) 325-7715

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

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.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

WRD Environmental - Chicago Conservation Corps Intern

Job Description:

Responsibilities will entail assisting with the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3), a City of Chicago Department of Environment program run in collaboration with partners across the city. The C3 Leader Track recruits, trains and supports a network of community-based volunteers that improves the quality of life in our neighborhoods through environmental service projects that protect our water, clean our air, restore our land and save energy. The C3 Student Track trains Chicago teachers who form C3 Clubs that perform environmental service projects in Chicago schools. C3 volunteers, students and teachers include a diverse range of Chicagoans of all ages and backgrounds engaged in grassroots environmental action in our communities.


Specific duties for this C3 intern position could include: assisting with environmental service projects through researching and tracking environmental benefits and coordinating materials acquisition and delivery; responding to inquiries and correspondence from the general public; and participating in the planning of workshops and other special events. Other duties could include (but are not limited to) assisting with publicity and community outreach, reviewing and modifying C3 environmental curriculum, and maintenance of the Chicago Conservation Corps website and databases.


Requirements:

Candidates enrolled in an accredited college or university offering an associate or baccalaureate program, applicants with earned bachelors or those enrolled in graduate degree programs preferred.


Candidate will be chosen based on quality and relevance of previous job experience as well as written and oral communication skills (sufficient to effectively lead outreach/education events), and ability to work with a variety of people representing different organizations, backgrounds and experiences.


Past experience in the urban environmental field and awareness of Chicagos environment, neighborhoods and environmental and community organizations is preferred. Candidates with at least one year of work or volunteer experience in an office environment, and those with experience in community outreach and/or research will be given priority.


In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate strong attention to detail; coordination and analytic skills; and the ability to work on multiple projects in a fast-paced environment and to adapt to changing needs. Basic computer skills are a must, and advanced computer knowledge is a plus.


Availability:

Position will require up to 35 hours per week beginning immediately. This position has the potential for advancement. Candidate must be available for occasional evening or weekend work. Work outside of business hours will be compensated with fewer office hours during weekdays, and thus there will be some flexibility in the interns schedule.


Pay:

To $13 per hour commensurate with experience.


To Apply:

Qualified applicants should submit their resume with cover letter by Friday, May 9th, 2008 via email to Roxann Salinas, rsalinas@wrdenvironmental.com Please enter C3 Internship in the email subject line.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes National Program

Project Background:

The purpose of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) between the United States and Canada is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem. In response to reporting requirements of the GLWQA, the biennial State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conferences (SOLEC) were established to provide independent, science-based reporting on the state of health of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem. The next SOLEC will be held in October 2008, in Niagara Falls, Canada. Assessments of the condition of Great Lakes ecosystem components will again be based on a set of indicators, with a special focus on “The Nearshore.” Approximately 400 people are expected to attend, representing federal, state, provincial and municipal governments, non-government environmental organizations, industry, academic institutions and private citizens.

To obtain some of the data reported through SOLEC and the subsequent State of the Great Lakes reports, the U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) monitors the chemistry and biology of the Great Lakes. Part of work is accomplished onboard our large research ship, the R/V Lake Guardian. Water samples are analyzed for nutrients and standard limnological parameters. Zooplankton tows, benthos (Ponar) grabs, and phytoplankton composites are analyzed for their respective biological components. The assessments include statistical analysis and generation of reports.

Objectives:

The overall objective of this project is to participate with SOLEC organizers to ensure that the many facets of planning and conducting an international conference on the state of the Great Lakes, SOLEC 2008, are fully successful. Project elements may include, but not be limited to: scientific literature searches and identification of sources of environmental data, development of Great Lakes environmental indicators and indices, collection and analysis of environmental data, preparation of reports on environmental indicators, and participation in pre-conference activities. The project will involve field work onboard the R/V Lake Guardian, including chemical and biological sampling. To complete project elements in a timely manner, the Intern (ORISE Fellow) will apply and extend analytical, organizational and communication skills and technical knowledge.

Specific Tasks:

The Intern will assist GLNPO staff scientists in the planning and conducting of activities leading to SOLEC 2008, and in the collection, analysis and reporting of environmental data. Specific tasks and learning opportunities may include, but not be limited to:

· Conducting a literature search for information on specific environmental indicators of the Great Lakes

· Preparing indicator reports, including data source identification, retrieval and analysis

· Participating in the selection of environmental indicators for Great Lakes basin forests, tributaries, non-native species, or other ecosystem components

· Assisting SOLEC organizers (including other U.S. and Canadian agencies) to plan and implement various activities in support of SOLEC, for example: organizing and attending videoconferences and meetings, tracking scheduled tasks, and assisting the preparation of presentations and background materials

· Assisting in sampling water and biota of the Great Lakes, prepare sample plans, maintain and use instrumentation, computerize and review data, participate in statistical analysis of data, and prepare reports. Participation in field sampling requires living onboard the R/V Lake Guardian for extended periods of time on any or all of the Great Lakes


Expected Results:

A fully successful assessment of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem components is expected through the SOLEC process. The assistance of the Intern will help ensure that SOLEC participants will engage in an interactive, informative conference and will receive information useful to their responsibilities for the management of components of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

A busy field year is expected, requiring assistance from the Intern to successfully obtain and process high quality data on the chemical and biological health of the Great Lakes. The Intern will also contribute to the success of research projects carried out onboard the R/V Lake Guardian.

Benefits to the ORISE Intern:

During this project the Intern will:

· Develop knowledge about the many complex elements of the Great Lakes ecosystem

· Increase skills in data analysis and reporting

· Learn the many facets required to plan and implement a complex project

· Develop skills and responsibilities for working as part of an international team

· Develop skills to coordinate scientific projects

· Obtain professional contacts throughout the Great Lakes scientific community

· Increase field methodology skills

· Increase personal sense of professional responsibility

Impact on protecting and enhancing the environment:

The biennial SOLEC conferences are major venues for the exchange of information and ideas between environmental managers, decision makers, and other interested stakeholders throughout the Great Lakes basin. Conference attendees strongly influence the programs and activities in and around the Great Lakes that impact the maintenance, protection and/or restoration of components of the Great Lakes ecosystem. The SOLEC process facilitates information exchange that leads to better or more efficient management activities.

The GLNPO open lakes monitoring program is one of the longest running in the country. It has documented, for example, the effects of reduced phosphorus input to the lakes, the levels of contaminants in lake water, the invasions of non-native species, the importance of urban areas as sources of atmospheric contaminants, and the decline of the amphipod, Diporeia sp., in several of the Great Lakes.

Qualifications:

Required:

· Baccalaureate degree received or studies substantially completed in, or related to, limnology, environmental science, biology, chemistry, natural resources, or environmental engineering

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English (a writing sample may be requested)

· Ability to quickly learn computer software programs as needed, e.g., statistical analysis, scientific graphing, GIS, presentations

· Willingness to reside and work onboard the R/V Lake Guardian during sampling activities

Strongly Desired:

· Basic knowledge of components of the Great Lakes basin ecosystems, including aspects of biology, water chemistry, toxic chemicals, habitats, watersheds, and human society

· Computer skills, including proficiency in word processing (such as WordPerfect and Microsoft Word), spreadsheet manipulation (such as Microsoft Excel), and presentation software (PowerPoint)

· Pleasant and cooperative inter-personal skills

· Ability to travel overnight to attend occasional meetings around the Great Lakes, including in Canada

· Experience in field work—biological and chemical sampling of lakes

.

Background Information:

As the U.S. Office responsible for implementing the monitoring provisions of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, GLNPO has a fundamental role to collect and disseminate data on the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes waters. The primary domain of the GLNPO monitoring program is the open, offshore waters of the Great Lakes, exploiting the capabilities of the research vessel R/V Lake Guardian. GLNPO also supports the Great Lakes Fish Contaminants Monitoring Program and the International Atmospheric Deposition Network. Currently, GLNPO and other federal and state environmental agencies are investigating methods to more rigorously conduct monitoring activities in nearshore areas, embayments, tributaries, etc. The specific activities in which GLNPO engages are determined in large measure by the data and information needed to support the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Lakewide Management Plans, and other specific needs of our federal and state partners. GLNPO is also a sponsor and organizer of the biennial State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference (SOLEC), for which the “health” of the Great Lakes ecosystem components is assessed and reported through a series of indicators.

The R/V Lake Guardian is a 180 ft. research vessel owned by the U.S. EPA, Great Lakes National Program Office. The ship is operated under contract by Cetacean Marine. The ship carries an operating crew of 12 and up to 22 scientists. There are 16 sleeping rooms on the Lake Guardian, divided between scientists and crew. Rooms are similarly equipped, and include bunks, desks, lockers, and computer LAN connections. Rooms have their own bathrooms with shower, or two rooms share a bathroom. Accommodations and recreation, exercise, and meal facilities aboard the Lake Guardian are excellent.

The U.S. EPA, Great Lakes National Program Office is located in downtown Chicago, IL, at 77 W. Jackson Boulevard. For more information, view our website at: www.epa.gov/glnpo
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