Analytical and Administrative Support at EPA

Overview

The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time Analytical and Administrative Support position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.

The Office of Research and Development at the EPA supports high-quality research to improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues and help EPA achieve its environmental goals. Research is conducted in a broad range of environmental areas by scientists in EPA laboratories and at universities across the country.

What the EPA project is about

The Senior Advisor on Social Science advises ORD senior management on issues involving social science research and applications as they relate to ORD activities, builds capacity in social science research in ORD, and develops programs to integrate social and natural science research. The Advisor works with ORD national research programs and laboratories to help identify and express social science research priorities, and develop innovative, interdisciplinary research activities that focus on the human dimensions of environmental public health. The Advisor works with a team of ORD social scientists to develop and implement social science integration activities.

 

Responsibilities

As a team member, you will assist the Senior Advisor on Social Science and the social science team with the analytical and administrative duties required to support and maintain social science integration activities, including the administration, management, and communication of results and impacts resulting from social science activities.

 

Management and Administrative responsibilities will include:

• Researching and summarizing information relating to social science and interdisciplinary meetings, and tracking news and information from social science organizations. This includes fostering awareness of interdisciplinary and social science opportunities (webinars, meetings, workshops) and sharing information on registration deadlines, submission deadlines, etc.;
• Analyzing activities and processes across ORD related to social sciences, including researching existing ORD research products, building a database of social science research products, developing a list of researchers working on social science projects, and tracking citations of ORD social science research;
• Assisting in promoting and coordinating the use of web-based opportunities to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among ORD scientists. This includes maintenance and expansion of the online ORD Social Science Toolbox, which includes identifying new social science materials (references and tools), working with SharePoint to add those materials, updating a SharePoint calendar, and evaluating and updating the site to enhance usability; and
• Analyze social science connections within EPA and between EPA and other agencies and organizations using survey results, stakeholder mapping, and other social science tools.

 

Communications-related responsibilities shall include:

• Assisting with the logistics and coordination activities for briefings, meetings, workshops, and other collaborative efforts, including setting up meetings, contacting potential presenters and participants, maintaining organizational materials (contact information, agendas, etc.), and taking notes;
• Assisting the team in the development and management of oral presentations of results and impacts using graphics and other interactive formats;
• Assisting in developing summary analysis documents of results and impacts from social science activities; and
• Facilitating appropriate communication and outreach related to social science activities including: development of a list of social science contacts in ORD labs and centers and contacts in program offices and regions, creating one-page summaries, developing longer pieces based on directed background research, and developing communication materials for wider audiences, such as blogs.

 

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education 

• Experience writing for a lay audience about science, environmental issues or public health concerns as evidenced by a writing sample;
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and SharePoint;
• Experience in administration support functions (recordkeeping, filing, etc.) and managing records (electronic and hardcopy) or databases;
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, including demonstrated ability to handle multiple assignments with competing deadlines;
• Strong proof reading and editing skills; and
• Strong written, oral and electro