Job Postings
Student Position in Office of Research and
Development
Ecological Services Research Program
Note
Junior staff position to work with developing National Ecosystem Services Partnership. The position would be to work primarily with Lydia Olander at the Nicholas Institute in her role as a coordinator of this partnership for the EPA. Please follow directions on the attached and send all communications to the EPA.
Project Description
The Ecological Services Research Program (ESRP) of EPA’s Office of Research and Development is seeking a student or recent graduate to provide research, planning and administrative support to the National Program Director. The ESRP supports research that will lead to the development of credible, scientifically-based methods to: (1) inventory, measure, and map, ecosystem services at multiple scales; (2) improve understanding of the effects of stressors on ecosystem services using stressor-response relationships and predictive models, (3) define compelling alternative management options and forecast future scenarios and outcomes; (4) develop a decision support platform for decision-makers which enables them to explore outcomes of alternative decision options; and (5) identify the “art of the possible” by making intelligent, informed use of knowledge about ecosystem dynamics, thresholds, and resilience and cross-scale connections among social drivers and natural systems. More than one student may be selected from this announcement.
Period of Performance
The period of performance is 52 weeks, estimated between November 2009 through October 2010, with three additional 1 year option periods to be exercised at the discretion of the government. Average of 30-40 hours per week is anticipated, depending on the availability of the student/recent graduate and the needs of the government. Total potential maximum hours are 1928 hrs.
Description of Student Services
Responsibilities may include, but not be limited to assisting in:
- Planning activities of various types including organizational, administrative, and scientific;
- Preparing for, assisting in, participating in, and documenting results of workshops, conference calls and scientific meetings;
- Reviewing, analyzing, documenting, synthesizing, and integrating of scientific literature, data, websites, interviews with experts on topics related to ecosystem services and their applications to environmental policies, including regulations, incentives, and markets;
- Compiling and summarizing data, literature references, and other information into organized computer files, preparing spreadsheets, charts, and narrative information for reports and technical manuscripts;
- Communicating and coordinating technical and administrative activities and information among numerous technical and administrative leads;
- Conducting research on the quantification, valuation, and application of ecosystems services to support environmental policy and decision-making;
- Preparing white papers, PowerPoint presentations, and oral briefings; and
- Running pre-existing models to quantify the effects of management actions on the delivery of ecosystem services; and
- Reviewing materials developed by ORD's Ecosystem Services Research Program and/or its partner organizations and making recommendations on accuracy and needed improvements.
Required Expertise, Skills, Education and/or Experience
The student or recent graduate (student) shall have: 1) Completed all requirements for a BA/BS and or equivalent degree AND be enrolled in a MA/MS degree program or 2) Completed all requirements for a MA/MS or equivalent degree within the last two years. The field(s) of study shall be in environmental studies, economics, ecology, or a field closely related to environmental science, policy, and management. The ideal applicant will possess knowledge in environmental science, policy, and management, be capable of working with a variety of individuals, including scientists and administrators, and be comfortable working in teams.
Required Background Investigation and Suitability Determination
In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD 12), students under this contract are required to undergo a background check and check of
FBI fingerprint files and a suitability determination by the Environmental Protection Agency. Students awarded a contract will have to complete a standard Form 85 (SF85) "Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions" and Standard Form 87 (SF87) "Fingerprint Charts.” These forms will be completed online after the students report to work. Fingerprints will either be taken at the ORD duty station (upon reporting for work) or students will be notified to have their fingerprints taken at their local police department. If a background check reveals information to indicate the student represents a risk to the interests of EPA and the national security, the contract may be terminated.
Description of Work Conditions
The students will work in a professional office environment using standard desktop computers and software.
Compensation
The rate of compensation for this position is as follows:
Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) with less than 1 year of graduate school $21.31 per hr.
Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) with 1 year of graduate school $26.00 per hr.
Master’s Degree (MA/MS) $28.62 per hr.
This rate includes the cost of self-employment taxes for social security and Medicare.
This position is for an average of about 40 hours per week. Student contractors will be paid the basic hourly rate only for the number of hours worked and do not receive overtime premium for any hours worked beyond the 40-hour week.
Student contractors are responsible for all cost of transportation to and from the principal duty station location. The Government does not provide housing, meals, or other living expenses while working at the principal duty station. Minimal official travel away from the duty station may be required, at the government’s request and cost through invitational travel authorization.
Taxes
The student is responsible for paying all Federal, State, or local income taxes required as a result of income received under this order.
Principal Duty Station
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
109 TW Alexander Dr
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Evaluation Criteria for the Student Services Contract related to the Ecological Systems Research Program
COMPLETION OF 1) A BS/BA or equivalent degree AND enrollment in a MA/MS degree program or 2) A MA/MS or equivalent degree received within the last two years. The fields of study shall be in environmental studies, economics, ecology, or a field closely related to environmental science, policy, and management.
EXTENT AND NATURE OF COURSE WORK in environmental studies, economics, ecology, or studies closely related to environmental science, policy, and management.
QUALITY OF ACADEMIC WORK as reflected in grade point average in environmental studies, economics, ecology, or studies especially in those closely related to environmental science, policy, and management.
TOTAL MONTHS OF EXPERIENCE in projects related to the Description of Student Services (see Section 3 above).
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS from professors and/or prior employers
.
Student Proposals shall include a resume and two letters of recommendation from professors and/or prior employers who can represent your work experience and ethic); include their name, title, telephone number, and email address. Resumes shall include:
Full legal name
Mailing address
Email address
Telephone number
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Statement of college or university attended with dates and GPA
Citizenship or immigration/visa status (if not U.S. citizen, documentary evidence from USCIS)
Evidence of graduation with BA/BS or MA/MS degree.
Description of recent classes relevant to the Description of Student Services (see section 3 above); include courses taken, credit hours, and numerical grades.
Experience related to the Description of Student Services; provide a description of each paid or unpaid experience, the name of employer or service organization, and the number of months.
Instructions for the Submission of Proposals
Interested students or recent graduates should submit their resume or statement of qualifications and rate proposal to Jennifer Padgett via fax at (202) 565-2560 or electronically to: padgett.jennifer@epa.gov. The deadline for submissions is 5:00 PM EST, November 20, 2009. Students or recent graduates are responsible for submitting proposals so that they reach the Government office designated by the time specified. Any proposal received at the Government office designated after the exact time specified for receipt is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition and:
It was transmitted electronically and received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m., one working day prior to the date established for receipt; or
There is acceptable evidence to establish it was received at the Government installation and was under the Government’s control prior to the time set for receipt; or
It was the only proposal received. However, a late modification of an otherwise successful proposal that makes its terms more favorable to the Government will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted. Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the proposal wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel. If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that proposals cannot be received at the office designated by the exact time specified, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the announcement, the time specified for receipt will be deemed extended to the same time of day specified on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.
The Government will make contract awards based on all other factors other than price (students’/recent graduates’ knowledge and skills, academic and work experience as it relates to the services described in the Announcement) being significantly more important than price. Personal interviews may be conducted with the most promising candidates.
EPA ORD employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program and to receive these contracts.
Central Contractor Registration
The student or recent graduate contractor selected for award must register with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and Dun and Bradstreet (D& B) (to obtain their Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number or DUNS +4.) Failure to register may adversely affect receiving an award or being paid. Student or recent graduate contractors are required to provide the following business information only once to this common Government-wide data source: their Taxpayer Identification Number (Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number), Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) information, and DUNS number. To obtain a DUNS number, students or recent graduate contractors can call D& B at 1-866-705-5711 or contact D&B at http://www.dnb.com/update. To register for the CCR, contractors can call 1-888-227-2423 or 296-961-5757 or contact CCR at http://www.ccr.gov.
There is no charge to register for DUNS or CCR.
Required Clauses
The following clauses will be applicable to the resulting contract. Full text of these clauses may be found at www.arnet.gov/far or http://www.epa.gov/oamrfp12/ptod/epaar.pdf
Number Title Date
52.213-04 Terms and Conditions - Simplified Acquisitions July 2002
(Other than Commercial Items)
52.227-17 Rights in Data - Special Works June 1997
52.232-3 Payments under Personal Services Contracts Apr 1984
52.232-25 Prompt Payment Feb 2002
52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer–Central May 1999
Contractor Registration
52.233-01, Alt.I Disputes - Alternate I July 2002
52.249-12 Termination - Personal Services Apr 1984
1552.209-70 Organizational Conflict of Interest Notification Apr 1984
1552.209-71 Organizational Conflicts of Interest Apr 1984
1552.211-79 Compliance with EPA Policies for Information Resources Oct 2000
1552.235-71 Treatment of Confidential Business Information Apr 1984
1552.235-73 Access to Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Apr 1996
Rodenticide Act Confidential Business Information Apr 1996
1552.235-75 Access to Toxic Substances Control Act Confidential Apr 1996
Business Information
1552.235-76 Treatment of Confidential Business Information (TSCA) Apr 1996
1552.235-77 Data Security for Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Dec 1997
Rodenticide Act Confidential Business Information
1552.235-79 Data Security for Toxic Substances Control Act Dec 1997
Confidential Business Information
1552.235-80 Access to Confidential Business Information Oct 2000
