GLIN==> Postgraduate Internship Program Opportunities

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/greatlakes/monitoring/fish/index.html> and
<http://epa.gov/greatlakes/monitoring/air2/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 at orau.org.

An application can be found at
http://www.orau.gov/partform/EPA/EPA_Application.pdf.