Lead Pipe Scale Research Support

Zintellect is hiring a full-time Lead Pipe Scale Research Support position at the EPA facility in Cincinnati, OH. The role involves conducting research on water quality, analyzing pipe scale, and assisting with data management and quality control. Key responsibilities include preparing samples, conducting analyses, and compiling historical data. The position supports the Water Infrastructure Division's efforts to enhance decision-making related to drinking water systems and public health.
The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time Lead Pipe Scale Research Support position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Cincinnati, OH.

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 Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER) plans, coordinates and conducts an applied, customer-driven, national research and development program to improve decision making by EPA, federal, state, tribal and local agencies, when faced with challenging environmental problems in the built environment. Within CESER, the Water Infrastructure Division (WID) conducts customer-driven research and support, providing scientific leadership on national-scale problems associated with water quality in the built infrastructure.

What experience and skills will you gain?

WID has two particularly active research areas: drinking water distribution system issues and drinking water treatment systems for small communities. Research is being conducted to provide scientific information needed to support optimizing corrosion control treatment both for assistance with regulatory compliance and for protection of public health by reducing exposure from metallic contaminants in drinking water. The work area involves research on water chemistry, water treatment relating to mechanisms of metal mobilization, transport and corrosion control, and analysis of the morphology, mineralogy and chemical composition of corrosion scales in drinking water pipes. This research also provides information directly to states, communities, and their consultants to solve water quality problems.

How you will apply your skills

As a team member, you will provide pipe scale analysis and related data management to WID staff by completing the research activities described below:
• Receive lead pipe samples and prepare pipes for sampling;
• Take samples of pipe scale and other solid materials following existing standard procedures to isolate fractions for further processing and chemical/mineralogical analysis;
• Grinding, sieving, and drying isolated scale layers and store in specialized sample bottles per laboratory standard operating procedures;
• Preparing epoxy cross-sectional mounts of pipe specimens under the direction of WID research staff;
• For each research or support project, assist WID research staff by searching for and compiling related historical data for water systems of interest;
• Assisting with quality control of analytical data;
• Assisting with instrumental analyses as training permits;
• Assisting with residential water sampling studies;
• Assisting with literature reviews, gathering reference materials from textbooks, journals, libraries, the Internet, and other researchers. Compile an EndNote database of relevant publications to contribute to journal articles, presentations, and data reports to the client water systems or requesting governmental agencies;
• Performing simple statistical and graphical summaries of analytical data and water quality data furnished by consultants or collaborating water systems, such as mean, median, sum, standard deviation, line graphs, bar charts, percent probability, and boxplots;
• Preparing tables, figures, and graphics of analytical results using software such as Microsoft Office, Sigma Plot, Origin, Adobe Acrobat, or other similar tools;
• Assisting with formatting of reports, presentations and research articles;
• Preparing and presenting talks and/or posters of research results to national and regional technical audiences; and
• Interacting with EPA scientists and participate as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

You will perform duties according to specifications and instructions provided by the mentor. All necessary instructions and training shall be provided by the EPA mentor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education
• Experience with chemical, spectroscopic, or x-ray analyses of inorganic materials and substances; and
• Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education
• Experience using commercial scientific graphics and statistical analysis software packages, and Adobe Creative Suite.

Location: This job will be located EPA’s facility in Cincinnati, OH.

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $22.19 for hours worked.

Hours: Full-time

Travel: Occasional travel to meet with collaborators, to present information, and to collect samples.

Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin September 2020. The selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The initial project is through May 14, 2021, with up to 4 additional potential optional periods.

For more information, contact EPAjobs@orau.org. Do not contact EPA directly.