Rita Barron Fellowship

Below is a link to a fellowship opportunity at the Charles River Watershed Association - a watershed group in the New England area. I know it is outside of Appalachia, but I thought recent alumni might be interested.

http://www.crwa.org/employment.html

Rita Barron Fellowship

The Rita Barron Fellowship is named in honor of the Charles River Watershed Association’s second Executive Director, who worked for fifteen years as a pioneering leader in river and watershed protection. The Fellowship provides an opportunity for a qualified candidate to work in an exciting and dynamic organization under the direction of some of the country’s leading watershed scientists. The Fellow will work closely with the science and advocacy staff of CRWA on a variety of ongoing projects and programs including CRWA’s water quality monitoring programs, the Blue Cities Initiative, and educational and outreach efforts. Tasks may include field work, data management and analysis, production of maps and graphic presentation materials, research, writing and editing reports, working with volunteers, supervising interns, making public presentations, and updating and maintaining CRWA’s website.

The Fellowship is a one-year, full-time position, and provides a stipend of $30,000 plus benefits to cover living expenses for the work period. The Fellowship provides a short-term work experience in a dynamic non-profit organization and is intended for a well trained individual entering the field of watershed science and management.
The Fellow is expected to start in May 2010. Outstanding candidates will be interviewed in January and February, 2010.

The successful candidate will:
*Have a documented interest in the environment *Have a Masters degree in one of the following areas:
civil/environmental/agricultural engineering; water resources; hydrology; planning; biology; chemistry; environmental science; or a related field *Be proficient in ArcGIS *Be able to perform physical tasks in the field under all weather conditions, including lifting at least twenty pounds without difficulty *Have a valid driver’s license and regular access to a car *Be able to work periodic early mornings, evenings and weekends and have flexibility to be on-call for water quality sampling during wet weather events

Additional qualifications:
Candidates must be self-motivated and demonstrate an ability to work well with others as well as on their own with minimal supervision.
Experience with environmental field work and data analysis, either paid or volunteer, is a plus. Strong computer, public speaking, research and writing skills are all highly desired. Computer modeling or statistical analysis experience is a plus. Candidates will be interviewed and selected based on criteria such as prior experience, recommendations, academic performance, communication skills, and technical skills.

CRWA will review applications as they are received. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and a resume no later than January 20, 2010 to Rebecca Wickham, Outreach Coordinator. Click here for contact information.

Legislative and Regulatory History of Mining Waste

Mining wastes include waste generated during the extraction, beneficiation, and processing of minerals. Most extraction and beneficiation wastes from hardrock mining (the mining of metallic ores and phosphate rock) and 20 specific mineral processing wastes (see side bar below) are categorized by EPA as "special wastes" and have been exempted by the Mining Waste Exclusion from federal hazardous waste regulations under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

Link here.

EPA EnviroFacts

The EPA offers a website that will allow people to access environmental facts and statistics in their area. What first caught out attention was the database of NPDES permits available for each zipcode. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. By searching your local zip code, you can determine which companies or organizations have NPDES permits for discharging into surface water as well as violations. All the information can be found here.

Sustainable Agriculture Policy Internship for Spring 2010

The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) is a non-profit agricultural institute founded in 1984 in East Troy, Wisconsin. Internships last for five months and begin in January of 2010. Interns will work on a wide range of programs and campaigns dealing with sustainable agriculture. Interested applicants should submit a letter expressing reasons for interest in this position, relevant background, a writing sample, names/contact information for three references, and confirmation of housing and other arrangements by Friday, October 30, 2009. (Applicants from out of town may simply note that they understand that they need to make these arrangements and are prepared to do so.) Please send applications to Margaret Krome, MFAI Policy Program Director, 2524 Chamberlain Ave., Madison, WI 53705. For more information, you may contact Margaret at mkrome@sbcglobal.net or (608) 238-1440.

Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge

Need a way to energize the youth in your community about a more sustainable future? The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge gives students the opportunity, tools and inspiration to become those agents of change. Beginning August 19, 2009 through March 15, 2010, middle school student teams from across the country will be challenged to create sustainable, reproducible environmental improvements in their local communities. Top prizes will include a chance to appear on Discovery Network's Planet Green, a share in thousands of dollars in savings bonds, a Discovery Adventure trip and more. More information here.

Model Ordinances

Looking for good examples of ordinance language to adapt for your local community? Here you will find model ordinances and coming soon -- real-world ordinances from all over the nation used to better protect the environmental resources of a community. If you've got an innovative, approved ordinance or program that you think others could use, please send a copy to include in the library. This resource can be accessed at: http://www.cwp.org/Resource_Library/Model_Ordinances/index.htm

Kentucky Conservation Committee Seeks Campus Liaisons

The Kentucky Conservation Committee, (KCC), a nonpartisan coalition of environmental groups and individuals, is looking for Kentucky Higher Education students to participate in its advocacy efforts as Campus Liaisons. Campus Liaisons will have the exciting opportunity to spend time with KCC’s experienced legislative agent in Frankfort for a behind-the-scenes look at government. For information regarding eligibility, responsibilities and how to apply, go to: http://www.kyconservation.org/campus-Liaison.htm