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Internships
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Description of Internship
Objectives:
The EPA's Design for Environment (DfE) Program is currently accepting resumes on a rolling basis from qualified graduate students interested in working on stakeholder projects that implement green chemistry . The DfE program forms voluntary partnerships with industry and other stakeholders to incorporate environmental considerations (including the potential for risk to human health and the environment) into the design of products, processes, and technical and management systems. Through the DfE Program, the intern will gain exposure to a variety of environmental subject areas (including risk assessment, benefit-cost analysis, and pollution prevention), learn about the opportunities and challenges facing voluntary environmental initiatives, have the opportunity to interact with industry and other stakeholders, and gain valuable experience in researching and effectively communicating environmental and technical information.
Specific Tasks:
The intern will concentrate on technical aspects of specific DfE industry partnership projects to build unique and valuable skills in DfE methods and risk communications. Responsibilities will include applying hazard and risk assessment models and researching the effective use of these models in the development of comparative assessment profiles. Participation in partnership projects may involve working with partners and stakeholders, and working collaboratively with other EPA Offices and Regions. The intern will also develop and publish outreach materials such as fact sheets, bulletins, summary booklets, and journal articles. The intern shall do research on successful outreach activities conducted by other programs or organizations; shall become familiar with, and conduct research for, DfE risk management approaches; and, shall do research to identify new partners and project opportunities.
Qualifications:
A preference is given for candidates with an undergraduate/graduate degree in environmental science, chemistry, biology, or toxicology. Candidates with degrees or experience in database development, website design, and graphic design are also encouraged to apply. Must be proficient with PCs (software: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access).
Duration:
DfE encourages interns to work full-time for at least three months in order to maximize their internship experience.
Compensation:
This internship is unpaid.
Background:
DfE forms voluntary partnerships with industry and other stakeholders to incorporate environmental considerations into the design of products, processes, and technical and management systems. Created in 1992, DfE currently is partnering with the following industry sectors: Electronics, Flame Retardants, Furniture, Industrial and Institutional Cleaning Products, Consumer Cleaning Products, Auto refinishing, and Automotive Supplies. In these initiatives, DfE and its partners evaluate technology alternatives on human health and environmental risks, performance, and cost. DfE partnerships then help others make more informed decisions by sharing the results of these evaluations through case studies, fact sheets, briefings, brochures, and the DfE web site (www.epa.gov/dfe).
To submit a resume and cover letter for consideration, contact:
Libby Sommer
Sommer.Elizabeth@epa.gov
Or
Melanie Vrabel
Vrabel.Melanie@epa.gov