U.S. Environmental Protection Agency /National Health and Environmental
Effects Laboratory Postdoctoral Program
Atlantic Ecology Division
Narragansett, RI
US EPA Atlantic Ecology Division is advertising two post-doctoral
(temporary Federal) positions at the Atlantic Ecology Division in
Narragansett, RI based on the following research topics:
1) Benefit-cost analysis of "gray" versus "green" infrastructure
Project Number: AED-09-14-09-203
Division: Atlantic Ecology Division
Branch: Watershed Diagnostics Branch
Geographic Location: Narragansett, RI
Project Description:
The position will support research expected to yield method(s) for
benefit-cost analysis of the use of traditional man-made (or "gray")
infrastructure versus the use Green Infrastructure (GI) and Low Impact
Development (LID) to manage storm water. EPA's Office of Water (OW) has
endorsed the incorporation of GI and LID practices into the development
of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), either through the Load
Allocation process for current and future nonpoint sources, or through
TMDL Implementation Plans or equivalent watershed management plans (
www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/
management practices can be implemented through either regulatory means
(e.g., stormwater permits, or local ordinances) or through
incentive-based programs. Guidance is needed by EPA Regions, States,
watershed/coastal management organizations and local communities on the
benefits and costs of traditional "gray" infrastructure used to manage
storm water as compared with GI and LID practices. Estimation of
benefits will require valuation of ecosystem services provided by green
infrastructure. Research will be coordinated among EPA's National Heath
and Environmental Effects and National Risk Management Research
Laboratories; Office of Research and Development's Water Quality and
Ecosystem Services Research Programs; and EPA's Stormwater and TMDL
Programs.
Projected Duration of Appointment: 3 years
Educational Requirements: Ph.D. in Ecological Economics, Ecology,
Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or closely related
field
Specialized training or experience preferred: Cost-benefit analysis,
ecological economics, valuation of ecosystem services, evaluation of
best management practices
Scientific Contact/Principal Investigator: Naomi Detenbeck,
detenbeck.naomi@epa.gov, 401-782-3162
Application information: Due Date: October 30,2009 See
http://cfpub.epa.gov/nheerl/
s for application instructions. Please do not apply directly to the
scientific contact.
2) Evaluation of the effectiveness of Federally-funded nonpoint source
pollution control programs
Project Number: AED-09-14-09-202
Division: Atlantic Ecology Division
Branch: Watershed Diagnostics Branch
Geographic Location: Narragansett, RI
Project Description:
The position will support research evaluating the effectiveness of
Federally-funded nonpoint source management activities tracked by the
EPA and other Federal agencies. It is anticipated that the work will be
accomplished through meta-analysis using water quality (chemical,
habitat, and biological) monitoring data from national and state
surveys. EPA and other agencies support preventative watershed
management activities such as Best Management Practice implementation
and watershed and ecosystem restoration efforts. Since 1995, EPA has
spent $100-238 million annually on grants funded under Section 319 of
the Clean Water Act. Only 20 to 30 of these grants, however, are
targeted for intensive monitoring each year. Since 2002, EPA's Office
of Water (OW) has maintained the Grants Reporting and Tracking System
(GRTS) database which documents activities funded by Section 319 grants
(http://www.epa.gov/waters/
for nonpoint source control are administered jointly with NOAA through
the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program (Section 6217). State
Coastal Nonpoint Programs also have a monitoring and tracking component
to assess management implementation (
http://coastalmanagement.noaa.
ecosystem protection and restoration measures can be tracked using
remotely sensed data (e.g., extent of wetlands or riparian zones), or
agricultural census data. It is expected that this evaluation work will
be coordinated with EPA Office of Water, EPA regional offices and
potentially, other Federal agencies.
Projected Duration of Appointment: 3 years
Educational Requirements: Ph.D. in Ecology, Geography, Environmental
Engineering, or closely related field
Specialized training or experience preferred: Training and/or
experience with GIS, remote sensing, landscape ecology, statistics,
meta-analysis, and/or monitoring
Scientific Contact/Principal Investigator: Naomi Detenbeck,
detenbeck.naomi@epa.gov, 401-782-3162
Application information: Due Date: October 30,2009 See
http://cfpub.epa.gov/nheerl/
s for application instructions. Please do not apply directly to the
scientific contact.
Naomi E. Detenbeck, Ph.D.
US EPA Atlantic Ecology Division
27 Tarzwell Drive
Narragansett, RI 02882
(401)-782-3162
detenbeck.naomi@epa.gov