Environmental Research Assistant - Start Now

We are looking to hire a competitive Environmental Research Assistant to join our diverse team at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Ada, OK.
Growing your career as a Full Time Environmental Research Assistant is a great opportunity to develop productive skills.
If you are strong in critical thinking, teamwork and have the right initiative for the job, then apply for the position of Environmental Research Assistant at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today!

Description

The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time Environmental Research Assistant position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Ada, OK.

The Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER) plans, coordinates and conducts an applied, customer-driven, national research and development program to improve decision making by EPA, federal, state, tribal and local agencies, when faced with challenging environmental problems in the built environment.  Within CESER, the Groundwater Characterization & Remediation Division (GCRD) plans, coordinates and conducts an applied, national-scale, customer-driven research program to provide data, tools, models, strategies, and technologies to protect and restore groundwater.

What the EPA project is about

To support these activities, GCRD laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation for chemical characterization of ground water and surface water.  The analytical function of the Division is critical to supporting the research and technical assistance mission of the laboratory.  This project involves analytical support for the analysis of water and aquifer samples to support research to protect ground water and surface water resources, possible field support for collection of samples, and additional project support as needed.

What experience and skills will you gain?

As a team member, the majority of time will be spent in the laboratory with the possibility of some field work.  Primary duties will be assisting the lead technician with data input into electronic formats, performing quality assurance checks on data, analytical support, and associated administrative duties.  You will assist the lead technician with data collection activities, data checking/verification activities, and data analysis for water quality analyses conducted at GCRD.  You may be required to assist with preparation for field trips and log in/receipt of samples for processing after field trips and glassware washing processes at GCRD.  Limited travel to field sites and assistance with sample collection may also be required.  You will be trained to collect data, verify data, input data, and generate reports.

As a team member, you will maintain careful and accurate records in a laboratory notebook, following the requirements of an approved quality assurance project plan (QAPP), document electronic file contents and locations, and will make entries as necessary into permanent laboratory instrument logbooks.  These notebooks and all other data produced under this order shall be the property of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  You will receive training on basic safety requirements at GCRD before he or she begins work in the laboratory.    

Depending upon experience, you may be trained and pass a proficiency test on analytical equipment, sample preparation, and standard operating procedures for the specific equipment.  Analytical equipment may include, but not be limited to Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, and Raman Spectroscopy.

As a team member, you will meet with the mentor at least once per week to discuss progress of assigned tasks, problems encountered, and assignment of new tasks.  You may be assigned to work with and assist individual Principle Investigators on projects for specific time periods to provide project and field support.  The mentor will be responsible for coordinating with the Principle Investigators for specific project/field support assignments.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Experience with general laboratory techniques, such as using pipets, balances, preparation of solutions, etc.;

• Documented course work with laboratory credit in chemistry;

• Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds and tolerate hot/cold/wet field conditions during field trips for sample collection;

• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;

• Proficiency in oral and written communication; and

• Demonstrated ability to work independently. 

Location: This job will be located EPA’s facility in Ada, OK.

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $21.80 for hours worked.

Hours: Full-time.

Travel: Limited government travel may be required

Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin April 2023. 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 View email address on zintellect.com. Do not contact EPA directly.

Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years of age and
• Have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, chemistry, geology, soil science, ecology, environmental science, environmental engineering, or another scientific discipline, or a closely related field of study 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.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
• Overall GPA: 2.00
• Discipline(s):
  • Earth and Geosciences (1 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (46 )
  • Other Physical Sciences (12 )
  • Physics (16 )

How to Apply

Click HERE to Apply

Benefits of working as a Environmental Research Assistant in Ada, OK:

● Learning opportunities
● Opportunities to grow
● Competitive salary