EPA Internship

Internship Program Opportunity
Office of Air and Radiation
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C.
Project # EPA-OAR 2009-04
Methane to Markets Partnership

An internship project is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) in Washington, D.C. The internship will be served in the Climate Change Division(CCD).

Background: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the lead agency for the U.S. government on the Methane to Markets Partnership, an international initiative designed to promote cost-effective, near-term methane recovery and use projects. The Methane to Markets Partnership targets four major methane sources: agriculture, landfills, underground coal mines, and natural gas and oil systems. By promoting methane recovery and use projects, the Partnership will increase energy security, enhance economic growth, improve environmental quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the world. As the lead agency for the Methane to Markets Partnership, EPA coordinates extensively with other involved agencies including the Department of State, Department of Energy, U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and U.S. Agency for International Development. EPA currently hosts the M2M Secretariat. The Secretariat is responsible for facilitating communication among members, planning M2M Subcommittee and Steering Committee meetings, and developing outreach and communication materials for the Partnership. The M2M Secretariat is housed in EPA’s Climate Change Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs/Office of Air and Radiation.

Project Description: The intern will be mentored by the Methane to Markets team within EPA’s Climate Change Division. The candidate will have the opportunity to learn about climate change and related issues, and participate in a variety of challenging and rewarding projects.

Typical projects the intern will observe the team working on include:
Facilitating communication and outreach activities among partners and the public; Coordinating information gathering from 27 participating partner governments and
developing an accomplishments report summarizing all partner activities; Developing fact sheets and web site content about the Partnership; Revising and updating the methanetomarkets.org and EPA methane web sites; Preparing materials and planning for agency, inter-agency, and international meetings; Educating key stakeholders about the Partnership; Maintaining and facilitating communicating with all international Partners on a variety of issues related to climate change and methane programs.

The candidate may have the opportunity to travel to at least one international conference to observe and gain knowledge about representing the Partnership and in marketing and outreach activities. The candidate will gain an in-depth knowledge of the U.S. national voluntary methane programs and the international Methane to Markets Partnership Program.

Expected Results: This internship will provide the opportunity to make contacts with both national and international environmental and industry professionals, enhance research and writing skills, and increase knowledge of voluntary federal programs on climate change. The small size of the Secretariat ensures that the intern will be exposed to a variety of different tasks and learning opportunities.

Qualifications and Skills: Applicants should have received either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental policy, environmental science, public affairs, or related area within four years of the desired starting date. Applicants should have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a strong interest in the environment and/or climate change are essential. Applicants should be highly motivated; able to prioritize multiple tasks; able to perform independently and in a collegial team environment. An understanding of environmental policy-making and government, and the ability to speak a foreign language are desirable.

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).

Stipend and Tenure: The appointment will be full-time for six months. The weekly stipend will range from $875-$950 depending on level of education and experience. The participant does not become an EPA employee. The EPA contact person for this project is Jamie Pumphrey. Her e-mail address is pumphrey.jamie@epa.gov.

For more information on the Methane to Markets Partnership please visit www.methanetomarkets.org.

For more information about Climate Change Division’s programs, please see
http://www.epa.gov/air/ccd.html. Comprehensive information on climate change science and policy can be found at http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/. The Internship Program for EPA-OAR is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). Please reference Project # EPA-OAR 2009-04 when calling or writing for information. For additional information and application material contact:

Internship
Program – EPA/OAR, 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@orau.org. An application can be found at http://www.orau.gov/orise/edu/EPA/app-gugrgpd.pdf.