Gulf of Mexico Smart Growth and Sustainability

Zintellect offers a postgraduate internship at the U.S. EPA's Gulf of Mexico Program Office in Gulfport, MS. The role involves evaluating municipal plans for sustainable growth, assessing community resilience, and collaborating with various organizations. The part-time internship lasts one year, with potential renewal, and includes a monthly stipend. Participants must have health insurance, but travel costs for pre-appointment visits are not 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 municipalities plans to expand with minimal impact to the environment and its inhabits and to gauge and address vulnerabilities and risk resulting from natural or manmade conditions. The participant will have the opportunity to assess communities’ resilience measures and assist mentor with recognizing and employing tools or practices for long-term suitability. 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 to assess vulnerabilities and threats of natural or manmade conditions or determine best management practices for expanding communities with minimal impact.
• Meeting with communities to evaluate sustainability concerns and to develop and implement improvement strategies.
• Exploring current smart growth practices or disaster preparedness tools and their usability for municipalities.

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