The Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Washington DC
Environmental Protection Specialist - ecology concentration (Ph.D) Potential Salary Range: GS - 11/13 The Assessment and Communications Branch in the Clean Air Markets Division (CAMD) has an exciting and challenging opportunity to work in the Washington, DC area assessing environmental changes as a result of air quality regulations. CAMD has the responsibility of implementing and assessing several national and regional market-based emission reduction programs for power plants, including the Acid Rain Program, the NOx Budget Trading Program, the Clean Air Interstate Rule, and the Clean Air Mercury Rule. CAMD has the need for an individual with education and training in ecology or environmental science to assess the ecological and environmental changes that result from implementation of these air pollution control programs. The incumbent will be responsible for working in partnership with other EPA offices, other federal agencies, and scientists outside government to assess ecological and environmental changes in a variety of ecosystems, including estuaries, lakes and streams, and forests. These changes will be measured as both chemical changes (e.g. acid-base status of lakes or forest soils) and biological changes (e.g. communities of phytoplankton or fish). The position includes interpretation of atmospheric and ecological monitoring and modeling results for scientific and non-scientific audiences. The incumbent will keep up-to-date on the relevant scientific literature, including monitoring programs and available models; contribute to office- and agency-wide reports and publications; develop and manage ecological assessment projects with contractors, grantees, and other EPA staff; interact with senior agency staff; and communicate information about basic ecological science and analytical results to scientific and non-scientific audiences both inside and outside EPA. Interested candidates should be enthusiastic, organized self-starters with a Ph.D in ecology, environmental science, or a related field, with experience in assessing environmental change as a result of policy implementation. Candidates should have knowledge and education regarding biogeochemical cycles of major elements (e.g. sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury) and their ecological impacts. Experience assessing ecological response to changes in atmospheric concentration and deposition of sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, and/or mercury is strongly preferred. The candidate must also demonstrate the analytical capability to understand scientific data, writing skills, and the capacity to convert complex information into easy-to-understand information for non-scientific audiences. EPA offers a competitive total rewards program with opportunities for growth and development. EPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Selection for this position will be based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status or any other non-merit factors. Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen. This is not an official job application process, but a solicitation for resumes. The job will be announced through EPA's EZ hire employment system in the next few months. Please e-mail your resume to Tamara Saltman at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or Richard Haeuber at [EMAIL PROTECTED] if you are interested in this position.
