[Federal Register: September 14, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 178)]
[Notices]
[Page 52555-52556]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14se07-39]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-8468-1]
EPA Office of Children's Health Protection and Environmental
Education Staff Office; Request for Nominations of Candidates for the
National Environmental Education Advisory Council
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency)
Office of Children's Health Protection and Environmental Education
Staff Office is soliciting applications of environmental education
professionals for consideration on the National Environmental Education
Advisory Council (NEEAC). There are currently five vacancies on the
Advisory Council that must be filled: Two Business and Industry (2008-
2011); one State Department of Natural Resources (2008-2011); one
Primary and Secondary Education (must be a classroom teacher) (2008-
2011); one Senior American (2008-2011). Additional avenues and
resources may be utilized in the solicitation of applications.
DATES: Applications should be submitted by November 2, 2007 per
instructions below.
ADDRESSES: Submit non-electronic application materials to Ginger
Potter, Designated Federal Officer, National Environmental Education
Advisory Council, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of
Children's Health Protection and Environmental Education (MC:1704A),
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, Ph: 202-564-0453,
FAX: 202-564-2754, e-mail: potter.ginger@epa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding this Request
for Nominations, please contact Ms. Ginger Potter, Designated Federal
Officer (DFO), EPA National Environmental Education Advisory Council,
at potter.ginger@epa.gov or (202) 564-0453. General information
concerning NEEAC can be found on the EPA Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/enviroed
.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 9 (a) and (b) of the National Environmental Education Act
of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-619) mandates a National Environmental Education
Advisory Council. The Advisory Council provides the Administrator with
advice and recommendations on EPA implementation of the National
Environmental Education Act. In general, the Act is designed to
increase public understanding of environmental issues and problems, and
to improve the training of environmental education professionals. EPA
will achieve these goals, in part, by awarding grants and/or
establishing partnerships with other Federal agencies, state and local
education and natural resource agencies, not-for-profit organizations,
universities, and the private sector to encourage and support
environmental education and training programs. The Council is also
responsible for preparing a national biennial report to Congress that
will describe and assess the extent and quality of environmental
education, discuss major obstacles to improving environmental
education, and identify the skill, education, and training needs for
environmental professionals.
The National Environmental Education Act requires that the Council
be comprised of eleven (11) members appointed by the Administrator of
EPA. Members represent a balance of perspectives, professional
qualifications, and experience. The Act specifies that members must
represent the following sectors: primary and secondary education (one
of whom shall be a classroom teacher)--two members; colleges and
universities--two members; business and industry-two members; non
profit organizations involved in environmental education--two members;
state departments of education and natural resources--one member each;
senior Americans-one member. Members are chosen to represent various
geographic regions of the country, and the Council strives for a
diverse representation. The professional backgrounds of Council members
should include education, science, policy, or other appropriate
disciplines. Each member of the Council shall hold office for a one (1)
to three (3) year period. Members are expected
[[Page 52556]]
to participate in up to two (2) meetings per year and monthly or more
conference calls per year. Members of the Council shall receive
compensation and allowances, including travel expenses, at a rate fixed
by the Administrator.
Expertise Sought
The NEEAC staff office seeks candidates with demonstrated
experience and/or knowledge in any of the following environmental
education issue areas:
(a) Integrating environmental education into state and local
education reform and improvement; (b) state, local and tribal level
capacity building; (c) cross-sector partnerships; (d) leveraging
resources for environmental education; (e) design and implementation of
environmental education research; (f) evaluation methodology;
professional development for teachers and other education
professionals; and (g) targeting under-represented audiences, including
low-income, multi-cultural, senior citizens and other adults.
The NEEAC staff office is also looking for individuals who
demonstrate the ability to make the time commitment, strong leadership
skills, strong analytical skills, strong communication and writing
skills, the ability to stand apart and evaluate programs in an unbiased
manner, team players, have the conviction to follow-through and to meet
deadlines, and the ability to review items on short notice.
How To Submit Applications
Any interested and qualified individuals may be considered for
appointment on the National Environmental Education Advisory Council.
Applications should be submitted in electronic format to the Designated
Federal Officer potter.ginger@epa.gov and contain the following:
Contact information including name, address, phone and fax numbers and
an email address; a curriculum vita or resume; the specifc area of
expertise in environmental education and the sector/slot the applicant
is applying for; recent service on other national advisory committees
or national professional organizations and; a one-page commentary on
the applicant's philosophy regarding the need for, development,
implementation and/or management of environmental education nationally.
Additionally, a supporting letter of endorsement is required. This
letter may also be submitted electronically as described above.
Persons having questions about the application procedure or who are
unable to submit applications by electronic means, should contact
Ginger Potter, DFO, at the contact information provided above in this
notice. Non-electronic submissions must contain the same information as
the electronic. The NEEAC Staff Office will acknowledge receipt of the
application. The NEEAC Staff Office will develop a short list of for
more detailed consideration. Short list candidates will be required to
fill out the Confidential Disclosure Form for Special Government
Employees Serving Federal Advisory Committees at the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA Form 3110-48). This confidential form allows
government officials to determine whether there is a statutory conflict
between that person's public responsibilities (which include membership
on a Federal advisory committee) and private interests and activities
and the appearance of a lack of impartiality as defined by Federal
regulation. The form may be viewed and downloaded from the following
URL address: http://www.epa.gov/sab/pdf/epaform3110-48.pdf.
Dated: September 10, 2007.
Ginger Potter,
Designated Federal Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-18152 Filed 9-13-07; 8:45 am]
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