STATEMENT OF WORK Gulf Ecology Division 1. Project Description: The Gulf Ecology Division (GED) of EPA’s Office of Research and Development provides credible scientific approaches to assess ecological condition, determines effects on and causes of ecosystem declines, predicts future risks to populations and ecosystems, and supports development of criteria to enhance and protect coastal systems of the Gulf of Mexico and southeastern United States. Stressors currently under study include toxic chemicals, pesticides, nutrients, and global climate change (temperature and UV radiation). 2. Description of Student Services: Responsibilities may include, but not be limited to: 1) Collecting experimental organisms or environmental data, 2) Culturing, feeding and maintaining experimental organisms, 3) Obtaining, preparing, organizing, and/or maintaining research supplies, materials, and/or solutions, 4) Assembling, organizing, calibrating, and maintaining scientific instruments and other laboratory equipment, 5) Measuring and documenting the condition of test specimens and experimental parameters before, during, and following experimental treatments, and other duties necessary to complete the experiments, 6) Maintaining clean and organized laboratory conditions, 7) Preparing biological and environmental samples for further analyses and assisting in their analyses, 8) Compiling and summarizing analytical data and literature references into organized computer files and writing reports and scientific manuscripts, 9) Maintaining laboratory notebooks as instructed by mentors, and 10) Conforming to all health and safety, environmental compliance, and research protocols. 3. Required Expertise, Skills, Education and/or Experience: The student or recent graduate (student) must have completed all requirements for a B.S. or equivalent degree in biology, chemistry, ecology, environmental science, marine biology, zoology or a related field. The preferred student will have training and/or experience in general laboratory techniques, environmental studies, or marine aquiculture. The student must know basic laboratory safety requirements and procedures and will be given additional safety training at GED. 4. Description of Working Conditions: The majority of work will performed in a research laboratory at the Gulf Ecology Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561; however, some field work in the local area may be required. Students will be required to wear appropriate safety apparel and to closely adhere to laboratory safety requirements. The job will require moderate lifting and the climbing of stairs and ladders. Monitoring and maintaining experiments and organisms will require student contractors to work some weekends and government holidays.
5. Duration and Compensation: The contract period of performance will be from approximately February 15, 2007 through February 14, 2008 with an option for an additional 12 months. The optional period will be exercised at the discretion of the government. It is anticipated that the student will work approximately 40 hours per week. The majority of work will be Monday through Friday between 6:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; some weekend and holiday work should be expected. The rate of compensation for student service contracts under this announcement is $14.88 per hour which includes the cost of self-employment taxes for social security and Medicare. 6. Equipment: The Government will provide student contractors with existing Government property to enable them to perform the requirements of the Statement of Work.