Please make sure that you use the reference number RFQ-RT-09-00236 on all correspondence. The Environmental Sciences Division (ESD) of the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL), Office of Research and Development (ORD) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking college students to provide services under a contractual agreement to assist with on identifying and quantifying environmental stressors in the areas of Nanotechnology, Biofuels, and Emerging Contaminants through the scientific fields of Analytical Chemistry, Geophysics, Statistics, and Soil Science that may have an effect on ecosystem and human health. NERL is responsible for conducting and supporting high quality research targeted to understanding and resolving the nation’s most serious environmental threats. ORD develops methods and techniques to reduce exposure to pollution and prevent its creation. The student contractor must have at a minimum completed a Masters of Science (MS) or Masters of Arts (MA) degree program majoring in chemistry, environmental science, or a related field at an accredited college/university within the last two years. The student must be familiar with basic laboratory health and safety. The student contractor will work within a multi-disciplinary research team and will provide technical laboratory and field support for research projects on identifying and quantifying environmental stressors. Specific duties will include assisting research staff in: (1) Conducting short and long-term laboratory and field projects; (2) Laboratory preparation and analysis of samples; (3) Field collection, preparation and analysis of samples; (4) Equipment preparation including, but not limited to, modification and testing, and calibration; (5) Analytical instrumentation standards preparation; (6) Preparation of Standard Operating Procedures; (7) Compilation and summarization of experimental data and literature references into organized computer files. General laboratory support duties may include maintaining research supplies and materials, routine maintenance of laboratory equipment, solution preparation, and other duties necessary to carry out the studies. (8) The student contractor may be expected to participate in conference and seminars in support of the Statement of Work. The student contractor shall perform duties, as requested, according to specifications and instructions provided by the mentor. Where appropriate, the student contractor shall maintain careful and accurate records in designated laboratory notebooks. These notebooks, and all other data produced under this order will be the property of the Environmental Protection Agency. This contract is projected to begin, depending upon the availability of the selected student contractor, approximately September or October 2009. The contract period of performance consists of one 12 month base period, not to exceed 1920 hours, with a possible 12 month option not to exceed 1320 hours. The majority of the work will be Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Occasional weekend work may be required. The duty location is Environmental Sciences Division, 944 East Harmon Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119. Work will be primarily performed in a laboratory but some field work may be required. The hourly rate is commensurate with the minimum required level of education and experience, as follows: $30.23 per hour for a student who has completed a MS/MA degree program within the past two years. Student contractors will be paid the basic hourly rate only for the number of hours worked and do not receive overtime premium for any hours worked beyond the 40-hour week. Student contractors do not accrue leave or holiday benefits and are not paid for any non-work days, regardless of the reason. Federal, State, Local, and Social Security taxes will not be withheld; student contractors are responsible for reporting income to authorities and paying all taxes. The contractor is responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the principal duty station location. EPA does not provide housing, meals or other living expenses while working at the principal duty station. Offerors must have completed a MS/MA degree program at a recognized educational institution. Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible to participate, depending on their immigration status and the applicable regulations of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). All non-US citizens must submit, as part of their proposal package, evidence of their immigration status that allows them to work in the United States. EPA ORD employees, their spouses, and children are NOT eligible to participate in this program and receive these contracts. Interested students or recent graduates may apply for this opportunity by providing the proposed hourly rate (the one shown above) and a one or two page, excluding the copy of the transcript and documentary evidence from USCIS, if appropriate, resume or statement of qualifications including 1. Your full legal name 2. Mailing address 3. Telephone number 4. Email address (if any), 5. Date of birth 6. Place of birth: 7. Citizenship or, if not a US citizen, immigration/VISA status 8. Education, including description of relevant classes 9. Work or volunteer experience related to the scientific field 10. Applicable work experience 11. A statement of your commitment to fulfill at least the initial year of the order, if selected. 12. A statement of acceptance of the hourly pay rate listed above. Attach a copy of all your college/university transcripts, listing courses taken, grades, and overall GPA (unofficial copies are acceptable, if it is apparent from the transcript copy that it is a copy of an official document and that the school is identified), listing courses taken, grades, and overall GPA. Two letters of recommendation are also suggested. Send these materials to: Judy Ancharski, Contracting Specialist, via email at ancharski.judy@epa.gov or via fax, with cover page, to (919) 685-3427. The applications/resume submission deadline will be listed at the website below. Prior to submitting a proposal for this contract, you should visit the EPA procurement home page at http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd/ to learn the full details of the contract. You should visit the website periodically to check the status of this procurement and to see whether or not any amendments (changes to the requirement of the posted contract) have been issued. If you have any questions on the information contained on the website, contact Judy Ancharski, Contracting Specialist, via email at ancharski.judy@epa.gov or via fax, with cover page, to (919) 685-3427. The Government will make contract award(s) based on the student’s work experience, knowledge and skills, training and course work as it relates to the services as described in the Announcement. Students who perform under contract for EPA will be required to undergo a background check, check of FBI fingerprint files and a suitability determination by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Government may elect to award contracts to multiple students under this announcement. Location: Las Vegas Compensation: $30.23/hour. This is a contract job. Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster. Please, no phone calls about this job! Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests. nevada