Science and Technical Communications Support
The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for a full-time Science and Technical Communications Support position with the EPA facility in Cincinnati, OH.
What the EPA project is about
EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) supports high-quality research to improve the scientific basis for decisions on national security issues and help EPA achieve its environmental and public health protection goals. Research is conducted in a broad range of environmental areas by scientists in EPA laboratories and at universities across the country.
Large-scale disruptions from intentional chemical, biological, and radiological contamination events, natural disasters like hurricanes, or industrial accidents such as oil spills cause devastating effects on human health and the environment. The aftermath yields contaminated material that may threaten public health, produces waste and results in significant economic impacts. Helping communities across the county become more resilient against catastrophes is critical. The ORD’s National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC) advances the Nation’s remediation capabilities and emergency response by providing expertise, tools and data to prevent, respond to, and recover from disasters.
What you will be doing
As a team member, you will assist the NHSRC’s Threat and Consequence Assessment Division (TCAD) staff and managers with the analytical and administrative duties required to support and maintain a robust homeland security research program, including the administration, management, and communication of results and impacts resulting from the Center’s research.
Required skills
- Experience writing for a lay audience about science, environmental issues or public health concerns as evidenced by a writing sample;
- Strong research and analytical thinking skills and experience synthesizing large volumes of technical information in easy to understand prose and formats;
- Advanced skills with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, & Outlook;
- Experience in administration support functions (recordkeeping, filing, etc), managing records (electronic and hardcopy), in data management (e.g., Access, SharePoint);
- Strong leadership, organizational skills, and collaborative work skills, including demonstrated ability to handle multiple assignments with competing deadlines;
- Strong proof reading and editing skills; and
- Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills.
How you will apply your skills
Management and Administrative responsibilities:
- Assisting with the review of TCAD’s Science and Technical Information Clearance System (STICS) entries including, but not limited to research products, outputs, journal articles, presentation abstracts, posters, and presentations;
- Assisting with research tasks, which may include but is not limited to data management or literature reviews;
- Analyzing activities and processes across the federal government related to disaster and incident preparedness, response, recovery and community resilience;
- Maintaining files and records of meetings, correspondence, action documents, and a system to track meeting engagements; and
- Interfacing with NHSRC administrative support in Research Triangle Park, NC, and Washington, DC, and facilities staff in Cincinnati to support TCAD staff’s administrative needs.
Communications-related responsibilities:
- Assisting scientists with narratives conveying impacts of the research products in STICS entries for publicly released research products;
- Assisting with the logistics and coordination activities for briefings, meetings, workshops, and other collaborative efforts, including reserving meeting rooms and VTC and setting up/running webinars;
- Assisting TCAD staff in developing oral and visual presentations of program results and impacts using graphics and other interactive formats;
- Assisting in developing summary documents of results and impacts from program activities; and
- Assisting in developing communication and outreach materials related to program activities including: creating one-page summaries developing longer pieces based on directed background research and developing communication materials for wider audiences.
Location: This job will be located EPA’s facility in Cincinnati, Ohio
Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $21.75 for hours worked.
Hours: Full time
Travel: Occasional overnight travel (at government expense) may be required.
Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin November 2019. The initial project is through May 14, 2020, with potential optional periods.
Working conditions: You will be supervised by a mentor who will provide day-to-day direction, as well as coach, advise, counsel and review your work. The position will involve work in an administrative setting and is not expected to involve exposure to hazardous elements
Qualifications
- Be at least 18 years of age and
- Have at least a Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental policy, environmental social science, environmental health, microbiology, chemistry, engineering, or other closely related field from an accredited university or college within the last 24 months and
- Be a citizen of the United States of America or a Legal Permanent Resident.
EPA ORD employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program.