Geospatial Support for PFAS
The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full-time Geospatial Support for PFAS position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.
The Office of Research and Development at the EPA supports high-quality research to improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues and help EPA achieve its environmental goals. Research is conducted in a broad range of environmental areas by scientists in EPA laboratories and at universities across the country.
What the EPA project is about
The Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA) provides the science needed to understand the complex interrelationship between people and nature in support of assessments and policy to protect human health and ecological integrity. Within CPHEA, the Public Health and Environmental Systems Division (PHESD) focuses on the interrelationships between people and their environment, promotes human health and well-being, and fosters healthy and safe communities.
What experience and skills will you gain?
Perflourinated chemicals (“PFAS”) are emerging contaminants of concern and a high priority topic for EPA. The goal of this research is to map and model PFAS occurrence and exposure patterns using advanced geospatial algorithms and technology. As a team member, you will provide geospatial data management, curation and analysis support for PFAS projects.
How you will apply your skills
Data development and analysis responsibilities:
- Development of geospatial data models to predict the occurrence of PFAS in the environment;
- GIS (Geographic Information System) processing of data layers;
- Quality control of geospatial data;
- Creation of metadata, fact sheets, webapps and storymaps supporting the data products; and
- Literature review.
Communications-related responsibilities:
- Participating as a member of a multi-disciplinary research team;
- Interacting with other members of the development team;
- Documenting code, methods and data development efforts;
- Assisting in preparing manuscript and project reports; and
- Presenting work performed at a scientific conference as required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education
- Experience with key aspects of chemistry such as pH, ionic charge and molecular weight that influence compound mobility and transport in the environment;
- Working level understanding of hydrology, watershed protection, drinking water treatment, and wastewater management options;
- Demonstrated education and/or experience in GIS (geographic information systems), geospatial data compilation and analysis;
- Experience using geographic information system software; and
- Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills.
Desired Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education
- Experience using ArcPro, ArcGIS, R, Python and machine learning.
Location: This job will be located at EPA’s facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.
Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $30.76 for hours worked.
Hours: Full-time
Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.
Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin August 2022. The selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The contract renews each May through 2025.
For more information, contact EPAjobs@orau.org. Do not contact EPA directly.
- Be at least 18 years of age and
- Have earned at least a Master’s degree in the fields of geospatial science, geochemistry, data analytics, geography, ecology, environmental science, geosciences or a 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.