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Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.
At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.
We are partnering with a municipal Sewage and Water Board to understand and quantify the costs of escaped waste at the city level. This case study will examine the broader financial impacts of escaped waste while also developing an economic baseline of direct city expenditures for managing plastic debris. By revealing costs beyond what appears in municipal budgets, including impacts on outcomes, and infrastructure systems, this research will inform what solutions and technologies may need to be developed to mitigate these issues.
The intern will implement EPA's Escaped Trash Assessment Protocol, conducting systematic walking surveys across neighborhoods to collect ground-truth data on escaped waste, and facilitate stakeholder engagement sessions with city departments, local businesses and residents to understand the full breadth of escaped waste’s influence on operating budgets and city systems. The intern will help translate findings into reports, presentations, and one-pagers that communicate results to diverse audiences from city officials to community members.
This role offers opportunities to conduct dissertation-level research examining how escaped waste affects municipal operating budgets in previously unconsidered ways; pioneer methodologies for quantifying economic costs often excluded from traditional analyses; build expertise in cost assessment and community-engaged research; and develop stakeholder facilitation skills valuable for academic and applied careers. The intern will create portfolio-worthy deliverables that could inform publications while contributing data to a national-scale EPA initiative. Our team fosters collaboration across disciplines and sectors and provides mentorship supporting both the research and professional development goals of a graduate student intern.
In-person presence in New Orleans is imperative for conducting field surveys and stakeholder engagement sessions.
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* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
PhD research focus on waste systems, environmental policy, environmental studies
Direct experience with EPA programs, protocols, or tools (particularly Trash Free Waters, ETAP, or Escaped Trash Risk Map)
Previous experience working in New Orleans or deep familiarity with the city's neighborhoods, challenges, and community landscape
Previous municipal government experience
Experience with waste characterization studies or litter assessment methodologies
Experience developing public-facing educational materials, one-pagers, or presentations
Familiarity with GIS/mapping tools (ArcGIS) for spatial data visualization
Experience with community-based participatory research or citizen science
Background in cost assessment, economics, or cost-benefit analysis
Network of established relationships with New Orleans community and municipal stakeholders
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The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.
* Based on eligibility rules
NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.
If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NLR you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.
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All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.