Gulf of Mexico Environmental and Social Justice Evaluation

Zintellect is offering a postgraduate internship at the U.S. EPA’s Gulf of Mexico Program Office in Gulfport, MS. The project focuses on evaluating environmental issues affecting marginalized communities. Interns will engage with nonprofits, community members, and governmental agencies, perform data collection and analysis, and develop remediation strategies. The part-time position lasts one year with a monthly stipend, but no travel costs for pre-appointment visits or relocation will be covered.
A postgraduate internship project is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA), Region 4, Gulf of Mexico Program Office in Gulfport, Mississippi.

This project is to identify and evaluate environmental problems plaguing marginalized and overburdened minority communities. The participant will have the opportunity to assess gaps and hone in on root causes and/or behaviors. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant may have the opportunity to be involved in the following activities:
• Interacting with nonprofit organizations, local state or federal agencies on collaborative problem solving
• Meeting with community members to fully grasp the extent of environmental challenges
• Developing and implementing critical remediation strategies

This research study project may include data collection, analysis, and report preparation. The participant may also have the opportunity to present the project status to community leaders.

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA. For additional information about this program, please visit https://orise.orau.gov/epa/.

The appointment is part time (50 percent of full time) for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend. Funding may be made available to reimburse the participant’s travel expenses to present the results of his/her research at scientific conferences. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for pre-appointment visits, relocation costs, tuition and fees, or participant’s health insurance. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee.

The mentor for this project will be LaKeshia Robertson (robertson.lakeshia@epa.gov). The desired start date is March 12, 2018.