Postgraduate Internships US EPA

Postgraduate Internship Program Opportunities U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes National Program Office Chicago, Illinois Project #: EPA Region 5-GLNPO 2010-01

Protecting and Restoring Great Lakes Ecosystem Health

Project Description:
Postgraduate research opportunities are available with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Great Lakes National Program Office
(GLNPO) in Chicago, Illinois. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
(GLWQA) between the United States and Canada provides a framework for the two countries to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem. As the U.S. Office responsible for implementing many of the provisions of the GLWQA, GLNPO has a fundamental role to collect and disseminate data on the physical, chemical and biological condition of the Great Lakes.

GLNPO conducts a water quality monitoring program that includes both nearshore and offshore waters of the Great Lakes, exploiting the capabilities of the 180 ft. research vessel R/V Lake Guardian and its specialized equipment. GLNPO also manages three contaminant monitoring
programs: the Great Lakes Fish Contaminants Monitoring and Surveillance Program (GLFMSP), the International Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN), and the Great Lakes Sediment Core Surveillance Program. GLNPO is also a sponsor and organizer of the triennial State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference (SOLEC) and State of the Great Lakes assessment reports, which were established to provide independent, science-based reporting on the state of health of the Great Lakes. The specific activities in which GLNPO engages are determined in large measure by the data and information needed to support the GLWQA, Lakewide Management Plans, and other specific needs of our federal and state partners. Additional information about GLNPO may be found at www.epa.gov/glnpo.

Career developmental opportunities at GLNPO allow interns to participate in many facets of planning, implementation, monitoring, assessment and reporting of Great Lakes basin ecosystem components. Engaging in more than one project is encouraged, aligning the knowledge and interests of an intern with particular developmental opportunities. Project opportunities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference (SOLEC). For an international conference on the state of the Great Lakes to be fully successful, many details need to be planned and implemented. This project involves participating with U.S. and Canadian SOLEC organizers to ensure the next SOLEC, to be held in October 2011, will meet the high standards of previous events. Project elements that the intern may be involved in could include 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, preparation of oral and visual presentations, and participation in pre- and post-conference activities.

Great Lakes contaminants monitoring programs. This project will involve participating in the management and operation of GLNPO's contaminant monitoring programs. The intern could be part of the EPA team that conducts data review, statistical data analysis, laboratory and sampling site audits, prepares reports, and updates websites. The intern may have an opportunity to make a presentation at the International Association of Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) Annual Conference in Duluth in 2011. Some background knowledge of organic chemistry would be beneficial to fully take advantage of this opportunity. For more information on GLFMSP and IADN, please visit the following websites: <http://epa.gov/great...ish/index.html> and <http://epa.gov/great...r2/index.html>.

Lakewide Management Plan implementation. Lakewide Management Plans
(LaMPs) for Lake Superior and Lake Michigan provide a framework to formulate, analyze, recommend, and assess overall public policy options and implications. The intern will become part of the EPA team that collects and analyses environmental data; researches and assesses LaMP priorities. The intern may have the opportunity to participate on LaMP committees and workgroups that prepare reports, assess and recommend better linkages between LaMPs , SOLEC, Areas of Concern, and other Great Lakes programs; plan and implement scientific conferences. The intern may also be involved in meetings, conference calls and other activities.

Quality Management Support for the Great Lakes National Program Office. This professional development opportunity allows for participation across multiple GLNPO monitoring and data collection activities. The primary project elements relate to reviewing and assisting the implementation of quality planning processes, which may include: quality system descriptions; laboratory and sampling Standard Operating Procedures; and in-house sampling operations; and project-level data validation. This project opportunity has been utilized in GLNPO from 1994 to 2007, and it has provided interns with valuable skills and experience to apply to other professional situations.

Great Lakes coastal wetland monitoring and analysis. A new coastal wetland monitoring program administered by GLNPO through a cooperative agreement may offer an opportunity for an intern to participate with partners in learning to collect marsh bird, amphibian, wetland plant, insect, and fish data. In addition, since geographic information systems
(GIS) might be utilized, there may be an opportunity to learn or apply GIS methods.

Great Lakes water quality monitoring onboard the R/V Lake Guardian. Since 1983, GLNPO has monitored the chemistry and biology of the Great Lakes using the research vessel R/V Lake Guardian. Typically, water samples are collected and analyzed for nutrients and standard limnological parameters; zooplankton tows, benthos (Ponar) grabs, and phytoplankton composites are collected and analyzed for their respective biological components; and assessments include statistical analysis and generation of reports. Opportunities will be available to assist: sampling water and biota of the Great Lakes; preparation of sample plans; maintenance and use of instrumentation; computerizing and review of data, participation in statistical analysis of data; and preparation of reports. Participation in field sampling requires living onboard the R/V Lake Guardian from a few days up to several weeks on any or all of the Great Lakes.

During the appointment, 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 being 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

Qualifications:
Applicants should have received a bachelor's or master's degree in limnology, environmental science, biology, chemistry, natural resources, environmental engineering, or related fields within four years of the 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 basin ecosystems, experience in field work (biological and chemical sampling of lakes), computer skills, and excellent inter-personal skills are also desired. Applicants should be able to participate in occasional overnight travel. Participation onboard the R/V Lake Guardian requires physical abilities and stamina; to be able to stand and navigate throughout the ship during inclement weather.

The appointment is full-time for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and subject to availability of funds. A progress review will be conducted by EPA at the six month anniversary of the appointment to assess mutual agreement that the appointment should continue. The participant will receive a biweekly stipend. The intern does not become an employee of EPA nor of ORISE.

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 intern must show proof of health and medical insurance.

Technical Information:
EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office is located in downtown Chicago, IL, at 77 W. Jackson Boulevard. Additional information may be found at www.epa.gov/glnpo.

How to Apply:
The Internship Program for EPA Water is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). Please reference Project # EPA Region 5-GLNPO 2010-01 when calling or writing for information. For additional information and application material contact: Internship Program
- EPA Water, Attn: Betty Bowling - MS 36, ORISE, P.O. Box 117, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831 Phone: (865) 576-8503 Fax: (865) 241-5219
email: betty.bowling@orau.org.

An application can be found at http://www.orau.gov/...pplication.pdf.