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PRESERVING OUR FUTURE TODAY veterinary science medical science biology toxicology e n v i r o n m e n t a
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physiology meteorology epidemiology genetics environmental health science toxicology environments
SERA
epidemiology UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY b y i> r ,>/<>,/
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OUR WORKFORCE AT EPA IS ONE OF GREAT
DIVERSITY. WHATEVER YOUR OCCUPATION, YOUR
INVOLVEMENT IS IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY,
or
c~
0
J
o
(20
i
AND YOUR EFFORTS ESSENTIAL TO FULFILLING
THE MISSION OF THE UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.
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PRESERVING OUR
FUTURE TODAY
EPA Highlights
*P* In 1974, the Safe Drinking
Water Act (SDWA) authorized
EPA to establish regulations
to limit the amount of various
substances in water used for
drinking.
The 1987 Clean Water
Act amendments require certain
industries to "pretreat"
their wastewrater so that toxic
chemicals and other harmful
substances do not enter sewage
systems that were not designed
to treat them.
The new Clean Air Act
contains provisions for large
reductions in emissions of sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides
to combat acid rain. The new
national goal tor year 2000 is to
reduce SC>9 emissions
nationwide by 10 million tons.
r i The Resource Conservation
iF and Recovery Act regulates
hazardous waste trom
over 200,000 generators, through
transportation, storage
and treatment to final disposal.
Hazardous waste handlers
must now clean up contamination
resulting trom past waste
management practices as well as
trom current activities.
Work is underwav to reduce
municipal solid waste through a
combination ot source reduction
and recycling measures.
The 1990 Farm Bill
could further reduce agricultural
pesticide use and enhance
environmental quality.
This includes promoting more
environmentally sound crop
rotation practices, promoting
research and education, and
providing incentives lor larmers
to adopt more environmentally
sound habits.
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w We're a dynamic team of diverse people dedicated to improving and preserving the
quality of the environment. *»• The United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) was founded in December 1970 to consolidate the government's environmental
INTRODUCTION TO EPA. . .
regulatory activities into a single agency. Over the past 20 years, EPA has greatly
expanded its scope and responsibilities in meeting environmental challenges. *»•
^0 X
Located in Washington, D.C., EPA headquarters is divided into twelve offices: Office
- "^ *SL>
of the Administrator; Office of Water; Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response;
Office of Air and Radiation; Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances;
ce of Research and Development; Office of Administration and Resources
Management; Office of Enforcement; Office of General Counsel; Office of Policy,
Planning and Evaluation; Office of International Activities; Office of Inspector
General. These offices develop environmental policies, set standards, manage complex
^^^^SyStliilli
research and development programs, and develop regulations for pesticides, toxic
•
H^w
substances, hazardous wastes, air, radiation and water. In addition, every EPA program
office is developing new technologies designed to prevent pollution. *»• There are also
ten Regional Offices which administer EPA programs and provide technical assistance
to state, local and tribal governments. World-class research and development in all the
environmental disciplines is carried out in our 20 research facilities. **• At last count,
EPA employed almost 19,000 and the numbers continue to grow.
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Treatment and disposal
of waste are not
enough; pollutants must
be prevented from being
generated in the first
place. We have learned
the inherent limitations
of treating and burying
waste. A problem
solved in one part of the
environment ma;>
become a new problem
in another part. We
must curtail pollution
closer to its point of
origin so that it is not
transferred from place
to place.
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SETTING STANDARDS
EPA is responsible for setting standards that help
protect the public's health and welfare. Whether
this involves restricting pesticide use or setting
emission levels for automobiles, EPA is taking steps
to ensure a cleaner future.
ENFORCEMENT AND
MONITORING
TRENDS
FOR THE
FUTURE
T
he Agency's philosophy has been to encourage voluntary compliance by
private industry and communities, and ensure that state, local and tribal
governments perform enforcement activities necessary to meet EPA standards.
**• Various types of monitoring processes and activities exist within EPA. Some
are broadly based monitoring programs that determine whether pollution levels
and emissions are increasing or decreasing. Other methods of
evaluation determine if the various abatement programs
developed by EPA and state and local
governments are as effective as they
should be.
EPA's 20 year
efforts toward a cleaner
environment and improved
human health have been vigorous. Worldwide, the belief that
industry cannot endure the restrictions of environmental
controls, is being replaced by an awareness of industry's role
in nurturing the environment. » Protecting the planet is a
huge commitment and to be successful it will take everyone
working together. Complementing EPA's efforts have been
state, tribal and local governments, citizen's environmental
organizations, and countless individuals, many of whom have
been working on pollution control for years. EPA has
developed five new themes which reflect future directions for
ensuring a cleaner environment: pollution prevention,
voluntary action, reducing risks, economic incentives, protect-
ing natural resources. It's time to develop a new pattern of
environmental management — working with nature.
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OPPORTUNITIES IN SCIENCE
EPA headquarters is located in
Washington, D.C., one of the country's
most culturally-rich areas. Although
one-third of EPA's positions are in our
nation's capital, we hire scientists
at all ten Regional Headquarters and
Field Offices. The Regional Offices
are located in major cities throughout
the U.S. with Field Offices and labs
located in areas that geographically
and environmentally enhance each
lab's mission.
T
he importance of science in meeting the environmental
challenges ahead can not be overstated. The Agency is
committed to making decisions to protect human health and
The following publications can
provide you with more information
on environmental careers.
the environment based on sound scientific data which
allows us to evaluate the relative risks. **• Scientific
Newsletters
Environmental
Opportunities
Box 670
Walpole.NH 03608
Job-Scan
The Student
Conservation Assn., Inc.
P.O. Box 550
Charleston, NH 03603
The Job Seeker
Rt. 2. Box 16
Warrens, Wl 54666
The Nature People
Career Services
Warrens, Wl 54666
Environmental Careers
Circulation Dept.
760 Whalers Way, Suite
100- A
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Periodicals
Resource Recycling
P.O. Box 10540
Portland, OR 97210-9893
Biocycle
Journal of Waste
Recycling
Emmaus, PA 18049
Buzzworm
P.O. Box 6853
Syracuse, NY 13217-7930
E: The Environmental
Magazine
P.O. Box 6667
Syracuse, NY 13217-7934
Garbage
P.O. Box 51647
Boulder, CO 80321-1647
Friends of the Earth
218 D Street. SE
Washington DC 20003
202 544-2600
World Watch
P.O. Box 6991
Syracuse, NY 13217-9942
Books
The Complete Guide to
Environmental Careers
Island Press
Box 7, Oept. 4CC
Covelo.CA 95428
occupations represent 22% of the total EPA employees. Most
scientists at the Agency, whether they have backgrounds in
chemistry, biology, physics, or geology, are in the environmental
scientist occupational series. For specific
information, write or call your local, state, I
and federal agencies and national, special-
interest organizations. **- The number of
opportunities in this exciting field are increasing ever)' day.
EPA does not necessarily endorse these publications.
This list is provided as a sample of available information
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JOB TITLES AND DUTIES
lositions in the science fields within EPA are both varied and plenti-
1 EPA hires hundreds of
i
scientists each year. Some
of the disciplines which are most
needed to conduct this important
work are:
1s* Physical Scientbikt
»• Environmental ScientL.it s
>»• Health Scientitthf
*»• Biological Scitntuttj
** Chem'uttt
Although their
backgrounds
are in biology,
chemistry or other
disciplines, the main
contributions of most
environmental scientists
are in program management,
strategic planning, managing
grants and involvement in writing
regulations and policies. » The environ-
mental scientists on EPA's team can enjoy
contributing to the development of
scientifically appropriate plans and means to
directly impact the state of the environment
for today, and the future.
ful. There are almost 5,000 EPA employees who have scientific
degrees. The most up-to-date information and data are needed to
make the important decisions related to policy and regulation devel-
opment. This information will ensure that the
Agency is able to fulfill its
mission to protect the
environment and
public health.
EPA works with 0
other public and
private concerns to
provide sound scientific
data through research. EPA
maintains, through its Office of Research and Development, the
capacity to provide high quality, timely scientific and technical infor-
mation in order to accomplish the mandate of the Agency. Scientists
and technicians are responsible for carrying out some of the most
exciting and demanding research pertaining to our environment.
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JOB REQUIREMENTS
T
here are hundreds of rewarding, fascinating jobs in
EPA for you to consider. Much depends on your
needs. You need to consider your interests, learn about
specific career opportunities which meet those interests and
then make sure you prepare yourself academically to
pursue your chosen career. For example, almost all
research careers will require advanced degrees. If you are
interested in policy development you will want to make sure
you have strong communication skills in addition to your
scientific degree. For those of you already in your
professional field that wish to work for the environment
through public service, please see the following page for
information on how to take those all important next steps.
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF...
Jlai Liiiff -1* "I'm an environmental scientist for the
Office of Research and Development.
This year, I'm heavily involved
in risk assessment, where
I work to develop methods
to integrate information
on pollution sources
and assess their dan-
ger to public health
and the environ-
ment. ;* Two years
ago my primary
emphasis was to
research the nega-
tive effects of pollu-
tants on the ecosys-
tem. Although I really
like that aspect also, it
had a more passive angle. I'm
one of those environmental sci-
entists who likes to be as hands-on as
possible, so I jumped at the opportunity to
get into risk assessment. • I've been with the Agency a
little over 10 years and I still like the view from the
top...meaning, I realize I could go out and work for the pri-
vate sector in environmental issues, but there's something
very gratifying about being a part of regulatory and
enforcement activities."
• " ly name is Dennis and I'm a biologist. I work out of
the Environmental Research Laboratory in Athens,
Georgia. Our primary function at this lab is to con-
duct and manage fundamental and applied research
that allows us to predict and assess risks associated
with the release of pollutants in fresh water, marine,
and terrestrial ecosystems. The research
focus is predictive ecological
science. **• I understand
the labs are totally
different work
environments
than in head-
quarters or
the regional
offices. When
I first joined
EPA as an intern,
I rotated into each
office of headquarters
every 6 months. That experi-
ence helped me become a better manag-
er. Scientists aren't usually taught management skills
in the collegiate world, but these skills are imperative!
<* My co-workers make up a very dynamic group of
people. I'm sure I have only come in contact with a
small percentage of EPA staff, but from what I can
see, we have some of the country's top talent. I like
•.
being a part of that."
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HOW TO APPLY FOR
SCIENTIFIC JOBS
wWe're looking for highly motivated people — hard workers and
self-starters willing to persevere in any task undertaken. Positions
are frequently available at all grade levels. For entry-level, mid-level,
or senior-level positions you will need to complete the Application for
Federal Employment (Standard Form 171) and provide the appropriate documentation requested
in the vacancy announcement. Entry-level positions (General Schedule grades 5 and 7) require
that an individual hold a bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline. Each vacancy announcement
will have specific scientific requirements. Rarely "will any work experience be required, although
an internship or previous work experience in the environmental field may make you more
competitive. For mid-level and senior-level positions it is always best to apply for a specific job
ENVIRONMENTAL vacancy announcement in your application package. To identify
SCIENTIST
current vacancies you can contact the EPA Human Resources
To qualify for environmental
scientist positions you must Office in the geographic location where you wish to seek
have a minimum of 24semester , »i i i r • i • v i i
employment. Also there are a number or national periodicals that
hours of physical science as part
of your undergraduate studies. will list all vacancies, finally, contact an Office of Personnel
Management Federal Job Information Center listed in your phone
book under U.S. Government listing or the white pages.
w EPA HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICES
EPA Headquarters
401 M Street, SW
Room 3020
Washington, DC 20460
202 260-3266
Regional Offices
EPA Region 1
JFK Office Building
Boston, MA 02203
617 565-3719
EPA Region 2
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278
212 2640016
EPA Region 3
841 Chestnut Street
8th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215 597-8922
EPA Region 4
345 Courtland Street, NE
Atlanta, G A 30365
404 347-3486
EPA Region 5
77 West Jackson Blvd
(MP-4J)
Chicago, IL 60604
312 353-2026
EPA Region 6
1445 Ross Avenue
IBM-HP) 12th Floor
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
214 655-6560
EPA Region 7
726 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66101
913 551-7041
EPA Region 8
999 18th Street
Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202-2405
303 293-1487
EPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
415 744-1300
EPA Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
206 553-2959
Research and
Development
Laboratories
EPA
MD-29
Research Triangle Park, NC
27711
EPA
26 W Martin Luther King Dr
Cincinnati, OH 45268
513 569-7812
EPA
P.O. Box 98516
Las Vegas, NV 89193-8516
702 798-2401
Also serves labs in:
Ada, OK
Athens, GA
Corvallis, OR
Duluth, MN
Edison, NJ
Gross lie, Ml
Gulf Breeze, FLA
Narragansett, Rl
Newport, OR
Warrenton, VA
Field Offices
EPA
Building 53
Box 25227 (DFC)
Denver, CO 80225
303 236-5114
EPA
2526 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, Ml 48105
313 668-4220
*"%t&i
919541-3014
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Another way to help our environment—
pass these materials on to another interested ent>ironmentalist.
Reuse, Recycle, Restore.
A recognizes the value of
s and strives for
an Resources
/ wlanagemfint. The Agency is
' I
ally edicated to
force. To this end, EPA's
iolicy is to provide equal
employment opportunity for
everyone; to prohibit
discrimination in employment
because of race, color,
religion, sex, age, national
origin, or disability; and to
promote the full realization
of equal employment
opportunities on the basis of
merit and fitness through
a continuing affirmative
employment program.
-------
ates
Environmental Protection
Agency
National Recruitment
Program (PM 224)
Washington DC 20460
EPA210-K92-005
August 1992
Morg
printed on recycled paper
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