Research Project Description
Climate Change and Water
Internship Program Opportunity
Office of Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC
EPA Water 2014-305
Project Description:
A postgraduate internship project is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of
Water (OW) in Washington, DC. This internship will be served with the Water Policy Staff.
OW guides implementation of the national water program, under statutory authorities such as the Clean
Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, among others. OW activities are targeted to prevent pollution
wherever possible and to reduce risk for people and ecosystems in the most cost-effective ways possible.
Within OW, the Water Policy Staff supports program and policy development, including ensuring quality
control in the regulatory development process, conducting economic analysis, leading cross-Office
workgroups, and analyzing emerging issues and developing new programs.
This project is focused on addressing the impacts of climate change on water resources and EPA’s water
programs.
The Water Policy Staff seeks an individual who is interested in water-related climate change adaptation,
resilience, and greenhouse gas mitigation to gain experience and insight into how national environmental
programs are managed, how environmental policies are developed, and how federal programs interact with
state, local and tribal partners. The selected intern will learn how climate change affects water resources
and EPA’s water mission, and will participate on special projects underway to develop information to support
climate change adaptation and, to a lesser degree, mitigation. The project will focus on communications,
outreach and information management. In addition, the intern will be involved in identifying particular topics
to research and presenting his/her research results to colleagues.
Determined based on the individual’s background and interest, projects may include:

Maintaining web-based information and using social media to convey important climate/water
related information to water managers;

Developing fact sheets and reports to convey information to water managers;

Planning and convening workgroups of federal, state, local and tribal water managers;

Participating in workgroups to research and address policy questions;

Conducting analyses and developing summary reports;

Learning how to apply vulnerability assessment tools and engaging others in promoting their
use;

Selecting a topic on which to develop and maintain expertise; and/or

Engaging in other ways to advance understanding of climate change impacts on the National
Water Program and to build capacity for federal, state, local and tribal climate change
adaptation and
The intern will gain insight into the EPA Water Program, and will learn the processes and procedures
involved in running a national environmental program. He or she will develop an understanding of the
implications of climate change, including on programs for clean water, drinking water, wetlands, oceans and
estuaries, and water infrastructure.
Qualifications:
Applicants should have received a master’s degree environmental engineering, natural sciences,
environmental policy, public health, public policy or a closely related field within five years of the desired
starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting
date.. Applicants should have an interest in water topics as well as in climate change.
U.S. citizenship is required. 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.
The appointment will initially be for one year and may be renewed up to three additional years upon EPA
recommendation and subject to availability of funding. The participant will receive a monthly stipend. The
annual stipend will range from $54,000 up to $59,098 based on educational level. The participant must
show proof of health and medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee.
Technical Questions:
The mentor for this project is Karen Metchis (Metchis.karen@epa.gov).
How to Apply:
An application can be found athttp://orise.orau.gov/epa/applicants/application.htm. Pleasereference
Project # EPA Water 2014-305 when requesting information.