EPA Clean Air Data & Compliance Fellowship

Application Deadline

7/31/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline. 

EPA Office/Lab and Location: A research fellow opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), Office of Clean Air Programs (OCAP). This research opportunity is with the Regulatory Assistance Division (RAD) located in Washington, DC.

The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment. EPA works to ensure that: Americans have clean air, land and water; National efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information; Federal laws protecting human health and the environment are administered and enforced fairly, effectively and as Congress intended; Environmental stewardship is integral to U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy; All parts of society have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks; Contaminated lands and toxic sites are cleaned up; and chemicals in the marketplace are reviewed for safety.

RAD is responsible for a variety of activities related to the implementation of and compliance with regulations under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. The Division provides Agency-wide leadership necessary to implement emissions monitoring methods for pollution control evaluations, compliance determinations, performance testing and other air pollutant monitoring needs. The Division develops and promulgates relevant methods and procedures for emission testing and monitoring. RAD integrates improved stationary source emissions monitoring technologies and control demonstrations into stationary source regulations, while aiming to accommodate flexibility in source monitoring and advancing technology adoption. In addition, RAD supports regulatory compliance with the CAA and AIM Act by working directly with affected entities to understand their regulatory obligations through applicability determinations and developing publicly accessible data and information.

RAD supports regulatory development and regulatory compliance across a variety of stationary sources – including but not limited, to oil and natural gas production, data center power generation, wood heaters, hazardous waste combustors, commercial sterilizers, coke ovens, and landfills, as well as the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector. RAD engages with the regulated community by providing technical expertise and guidance. The Division facilitates small business compliance through targeted initiatives, including regulatory design and strategies to minimize burden.

Research Project: The selected participant will gain invaluable experience with various EPA regulatory policies and programs under the CAA (e.g., New Source Performance Standards, Acid Rain Program, Hazardous Air Pollutants, Stratospheric Ozone Protection Program) and AIM Act, and how the Agency works with affected entities, regional EPA offices and states to implement and support regulatory compliance with these programs. This fellowship offers ample opportunities to build key relationships within EPA and to engage with different EPA programs, policies, and technical staff. This is an excellent opportunity to gain insight into Agency operations and the functions and processes of the U.S. government.

Why this opportunity matters:

• Real-world impact: Your analyses and briefings will help EPA staff support cleaner air and improve human health and welfare while supporting regulatory compliance for businesses and communities.
• Unmatched exposure: You will gain firsthand exposure to how federal STEM policy is developed and implemented across EPA programs, regions, and states.
• Build a standout portfolio: Streamline data systems, improve processes, and present results to cross-functional teams and senior managers.

As part of its mission to support regulatory development and compliance, the RAD team is advancing new automated data management processes—making this an exciting time to get involved. You’ll gain hands-on experience managing and analyzing large datasets, developing concise briefing materials, and helping optimize Agency decision-making. Learning from and collaborating with RAD experts, you’ll organize incoming requests, contribute to research, and be a part of the development of EPA responses. You’ll also build skills in communicating regulatory programs to external audiences and present project results to internal teams across the Agency.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of the mentor and other Agency experts, you will:

• Learn how regulations under the CAA, AIM Act, and state and local air programs operate to address local air quality, and how EPA collaborates with a variety of stakeholders including affected entities and states to implement those policies and programs.
• Build skills in reviewing and analyzing federal and other data sources to inform environmental policy development and implementation.
• Understand how regulatory applicability decisions are made, how compliance processes function, and how EPA interacts with stakeholders on such processes and effectively communicates information to the public.
• Gain experience in identifying and applying new and improved information technology solutions to enhance systems used to manage key regulatory data and information.
• Enhance your capabilities to synthesize information, including opportunities for improved data management streamlining, and optimization, for presentation to EPA senior managers and appropriate internal teams.

You will gain valuable experience by collaborating with the team and Agency via specific projects including:

• Evaluating opportunities for efficient management solutions to improve the functionality and maintenance of information systems supporting implementation of EPA regulatory programs.
• Identifying, implementing, and supporting innovative process improvements, including adoption of artificial intelligence methods, to help in RAD’s data management, analytical tasks, automation, and system development.
• Helping RAD team staff field and respond to incoming formal and informal compliance, applicability and other inquiries, including but not limited to adding inquiries to and organizing them within EPA data systems.
• Aiding EPA staff across the Agency to form response strategies.
• Developing dashboards, visualizations, reports, and other creative means to synthesize and present data to internal EPA stakeholders.

This is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge about the role of RAD and collaborate with diverse stakeholders while gaining high-level exposure to and involvement in environmental programs and issues.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Sara Ohrel (Ohrel.Sara@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: As soon as possible, 2026. All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year and may be renewed three to four additional years upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $57,736 - $85,447 annually.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

EPA Security Clearance: Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

ORISE offers all ORISE EPA graduate students and Postdocs a free 5 year membership to the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA).

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

Questions: If you have additional questions about the application process please email ORISE.EPA.Other@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years, or anticipated to be received by 6/15/2026.

Preferred skills:

• Relevant coursework, experience, and a strong interest in data management, data solutions, and data analysis  
• Superior writing skills and effective communication of information for technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to be independent
• Enjoys operating in a team environment

Stipend

$57,736.00 – $85,447.00 Yearly

Point of Contact

Ashley

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 6/15/2026 12:00:00 AM.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.60