EPA Air Quality, Public Health, and Energy Strategies Fellowship
*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline. Click here for information about the selection process.
EPA Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), Climate Protection Partnership Division (CPPD) located in Washington, DC.
Research Project: CPPD’s State and Local Branch (SLB) works cooperatively with state, local, and tribal (S/L/T) governments to help them reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and criteria pollutant emissions in ways that meet their own unique environmental, public health, energy, and economic priorities. This project will focus on conducting research to support the development of decision-support resources and tools to help S/L/T governments understand, quantify, and communicate the public health impacts of emission reduction policies and programs.
Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will conduct research at the intersection of energy, climate change, air pollution, and public health, and assist in the development of associated models. The participant may conduct policy analysis using tools such as EPA’s CO-Benefits Risk Assessment (COBRA) tool and Health-Benefits per Kilowatt-hour (BPK) values. Specific research may include:
- The current state of health benefits inclusion and/or quantification in climate and energy policymaking;
- Quantitative methods for assessing the health impacts of emission reduction policies, including reduced-form air quality modeling and long-term projections;
- The equity and environmental justice implications of emissions reduction policies, and best practices for policy/program design;
- The state of the science/literature on the health implications of electrification strategies; and
- The indoor environment impacts of energy policies.
Learning Objectives: The participant will have the opportunity to collaborate with a collegial team of skilled professionals and scientists. The participant will also have the opportunity to engage with senior EPA officials and other stakeholders, including S/L/T officials and NGOs.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Emma Zinsmeister (zinsmeister.emma@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Fall/Winter 2020. All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors. Click here for detailed information about start dates.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year and may be renewed up to three or four additional years upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding.
Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Click here for detailed information about full-time stipends.
EPA Security Clearance: Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA.
ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.
Questions: Please see the FAQ section of our website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email EPArpp@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.