EPA Internship Office of Water

Water Permits Program
“Green Infrastructure” (Low Impact Development) Specialist

About the Water Permits Program: In 1972, Congress created the Clean Water Act (CWA) to address serious pollution problems affecting the nation’s rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. The central objective of the Act is to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.” The CWA is a comprehensive set of programs and requirements designed to address the complex problems caused by a wide variety of pollution sources. One of the cornerstones of the CWA is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) which regulates the discharge of pollutants into the waters of the United States. Under the CWA, NPDES permits are issued to point source dischargers by either EPA or an authorized State. Typical point sources regulated under the NPDES program include municipal and industrial storm water, municipal wastewater systems, industrial and commercial facilities, and concentrated animal feeding operations.
The Water Permits Division (WPD) within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Wastewater Management leads and manages the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program in partnership with EPA Regional Offices, states, tribes, and other stakeholders. To ensure the NPDES permit program is effective, WPD performs a variety of activities, including: shaping the direction of the national NPDES permit program; producing policies and regulations; developing technical and administrative tools to support permit issuance; tracking and managing critical information related to permit issuance, permit quality, and point source pollution abatement; overseeing the programs managed by the States and Regional offices; and providing access to information on NPDES permitting to promote increased awareness and involvement in the NPDES permitting process.
Project Description:
U. S. EPA’s Water Permits Division (WPD) is seeking an individual to work on Green Infrastructure or Low Impact Development (LID) practices for controlling and managing urban wet weather (stormwater, combined sewer overflows, nonpoint source runoff). The intern will be on the front line of innovation at EPA, and will learn how to integrate a regulatory program with innovative strategies. The intern will be part of a cross-Office team of EPA staff developing innovative programs and policies for controlling wet weather, preventing water pollution, and protecting watersheds. The successful candidate will undertake a variety of projects to investigate effective practices; compile and develop information for public dissemination; draft policy recommendations; and identify opportunities to promote the use of green infrastructure technologies and approaches. The intern may do a moderate amount of traveling to speak at conferences, consult with practitioners, and meet with prospective users

Specific Tasks: The intern will have the opportunity to learn while doing. He/she will build his or her knowledge about green infrastructure technologies and their performance. To do so, the intern will research practices and compile information in specific documents for municipal utilities and others (e.g., a guide for municipalities, fact sheets on particular topics, etc.); and will manage the green infrastructure web site (www.epa.gov/npdes/greeninfrastructure). The intern will apply analytic and collaborative skills while working with other EPA offices to resolve barriers to adopting green infrastructure, such as reconciling Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act requirements, addressing emerging enforceability issues, etc. When he/she is ready, the intern will have the opportunity to travel to meetings and conferences to give presentations about green infrastructure and to work with partners promoting green infrastructure technologies and approaches. Finally, the intern will work with EPA staff to develop recommendations on incorporating green infrastructure approaches into stormwater NPDES permits and long-term control plans for preventing combined sewer overflows.

Expected Results: The intern will learn how to apply innovative practices to a long-standing regulatory program that is challenged with achieving water quality goals. The intern will be instrumental in developing information, strategies, and outreach materials to promote adoption of new practices in a manner consistent with regulatory requirements and that complement voluntary programs. Specific products that might be developed include: web pages and web site management; fact sheets; technical guides; permit language; briefings and presentations, etc., with the goal of increasing adoption of wet weather green infrastructure practices by permittees and the general public.

Intern Qualifications and Skills: The candidate must have at least a Bachelor's degree. A specific degree specialization is not required, but the candidate should demonstrate an interest in water quality, wastewater management, watershed protection, and/or public policy. Typical degrees of those interested may be related to: Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Environmental Engineering, Public Administration, Chemistry, Biology, Hydrology, Toxicology, Information Technology, etc. The ideal candidate must have strong analytic and problem solving skills, and must possess excellent writing and communication skills. He/she must be a self-starter and have the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment.

Stipend and Tenure: The appointment is for one year and may be extended annually for up to three years. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree will receive approximately $43,000 annually, prorated to the weekly hours worked. Those with at least a Masters degree will receive approximately $48,000 annually, also prorated to the weekly hours worked. Housing, transportation or relocation costs will not be paid by EPA. Please email resumes to Teresa Clark at clark.teresa@epa.gov in the EPA Office of Water, Office of Wastewater Management, Water Permits Division. The internship location is at the EPA East Building, 1201 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004.