Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant (Austin, TX and South Miami, FL)

Transcription

1 June 12, 2015 Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant (Austin, TX and South Miami, FL) Overview of Clients: The Everglades Foundation ( a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration of America s Everglades, is looking to retain an Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant to work on the implementation of the Phosphorus Grand Challenge that the Foundation is launching in The Everglades Foundation has just retained Verb, Inc. ( to launch and manage the Everglades Grand Challenge. Verb produces massive, global social innovation competitions for corporate, foundation and government clients. Verb competitions are differentiated because of their focus on social impact, large scale marketing and employee engagement. This new scientific position is an exciting opportunity since the technical analysis conducted by the consultant to be retained will shape the design /implementation of the Everglades Foundation 7-year $ 10 million prize. This hands-on position will support the Everglades Foundation / VERB management staff by providing concise recommendations based on a variety of scientific assessments and quantitative analysis. Background Information: Phosphorus a vital and non-renewable natural resource plays a critical role in food and water security. This widely used fertilizer ingredient is being used with increasing intensity to support agriculture throughout the world. Recent studies, however, suggest that the food and nutrition needs of an ever-expanding human population may indeed lead to the depletion of remaining high-grade phosphorus reserves within the next six to ten decades. 1 Shrinking supplies are already 1 Development Policy Review Network. Phosphorus Depletion: the Invisible Crisis. Accessed online: Verb, Inc. ~ Everglades Foundation ~ Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant 1

2 contributing to skyrocketing fertilizer costs costs that severely undermine the affordability of food produced. A growing population and more demanding diets will place a greater strain on the world s food suppliers, whose dependence on fertilizers is expected to rise by % by Phosphorus also has a pronounced, albeit less beneficial impact on water security. Wasteful fertilizer applications contribute to water resource degradation and endanger the fragile ecology of plants and animals in rivers, lakes and wetlands. 2 Even at low levels, the presence of phosphorus can lead to the uncontrolled growth of toxic algae that stifle the oxygen supply of aquatic life and tip fragile ecosystems towards collapse. One of the best illustrations of an acutely stressed ecosystem threatened by excess phosphorus is Lake Okeechobee (South Florida). This unique environment simply cannot cope with the tons of phosphorus that reach its shores. Approximately 50% of lakes in Europe and North America suffer from eutrophication effects. 3 This is not a negligible environmental problem; it is estimated that the costs resulting from eutrophication in US freshwaters alone are close to $2.2 billion per year. 4 A major technological breakthrough is required if phosphorus levels in our waterbodies are to be controlled. To incentivize this breakthrough in a big way, the Everglades Foundation is gearing-up to launch the Phosphorus Grand Challenge. This robust competition will make an unprecedented $10 million prize available to the researcher(s) capable of developing a cost-effective process for removing and recovering phosphorus from our waterbodies on a large scale. Five sub-prizes targeting behavioral change will also be awarded as part of the competition. Broader in scope, these awards will foster awareness within the wider stakeholder community while providing additional support for the core Grand Prize. By launching the Grand Challenge Program, the Foundation aims to catalyze disruptive technological breakthroughs that will make phosphorus removal and recovery technology economically viable. 2 Cordell D, Drangert JO, White S. The story of phosphorus: Global food security and food for thought. Global Environmental Change Committee ILE. Survey of the State of the World's Lakes. Volumes I- IV. ILEC/Lake Biwa Research Institute, Otsu and United Nations Environment Programme; Dodds W, et al. Eutrophication of U.S. Freshwaters: Analysis of Potential Economic Damages. Environmental Science and Technology Verb, Inc. ~ Everglades Foundation ~ Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant 2

3 Position Overview: As part of a one-year contract with Verb, the Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant for the Everglades Foundation Grand Challenge will be responsible for: Developing and validating testing parameters and winning criteria (water quality, water quality, cost threshold, etc.) for the competition entries after consulting with partners experts. This is related to the $10 million prize as well as the sub-prizes; Collecting, reviewing, and evaluating the cost of current phosphorus removal and recovery technologies and developing a standardized tool to compare the costs of the different technologies; Determining the requirements of the Challenge testing facilities at all stages of the competition. Proposing potential testing facilities that would meet the requirements. Developing the budget for renting and running these testing facilities during the different stages of the competition; Examining permits needed to perform the pilot and in-situ testing of the Challenge; Attending launching events and technical workshops with partners; and, Developing a judging methodology for the prize and sub-prizes and assist in developing webinars to train judges; Provided an extension of the one-year contract is accepted by Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant, other activities through the end of the Challenge would include: Providing assistance in identifying and selecting qualified judges and mentors; Networking and conducting outreach to secure partners and qualified entrants; Developing and maintaining relationships with partners; and, Serving as a scientific advisor throughout the duration of the Challenge. Working closely with the Everglades Foundation key advisors and the Verb team, the Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will be accountable for helping to define, lead and execute critical aspects of the Grand Challenge. Scope of Responsibilities (for the one-year contract): 1. Provide an assessment of current phosphorus removal and recovery technologies. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will examine the landscape of current technologies and create a report that should include a brief description of the technologies, a standardized cost estimate for phosphorus removal per technology (while creating a costing tool for comparison purpose), the physcio-chemical parameters (flow, water quality, etc.) of the inflows and outflows of the existing technologies, as well as any 2015 Verb, Inc. ~ Everglades Foundation ~ Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant 3

4 other relevant information. 2. Refine the testing parameters for the Grand Challenge (flow regime, water quality criteria, etc.). The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant would set the flow regime based on historic flow data (from the Kissimmee River and from Ontario Lakes) to ensure the testing process will mimic the proper cold and/or warm water conditions. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will also specify the frequency and methods of sampling and advise as to the adequacy and accuracy of collection of samples, proper preservation, and data analysis. 3. Develop the winning criteria and cost threshold for the Grand Prize. After consulting with partners, the Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will refine the criteria to win the Grand Prize based on his or her assessment of the current conditions and technologies. 4. Define specifications, plan and budget for the testing facilities. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will develop facility requirements for all stages of the Grand Challenge and assist in the selection process of both cold and warm water facilities. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will build out budget estimate including necessary equipment, labor and materials and space costs. Budget will include set up and operating costs for the testing duration. In an effort to obtain in-kind support, the Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will define a plan to secure the facilities through in-kind support and partnership with government agencies in cold and warm water conditions. Additional Activities beyond one-year contract (provided an extension of contract is accepted): Identify and participate in the selection process for scientific judges and mentors. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will provide recommendations and assist in the selection process for the judges and mentors for the Grand Challenge. Identify and assist in hiring a testing technician. Work with the Everglades Foundation / VERB team to hire a testing technician to oversee the testing of the entrants technologies in the selected facilities and in-situ. Conduct outreach to qualified entrants. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will leverage his or her network and reach out to recruit qualified entrants. Provide ongoing scientific support. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will advise in answering technical questions that arise during the Challenge. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will be in communication with Verb and the Entrants to provide updates, answer questions and provide feedback to the Everglades Foundation team regarding Entrants progress during the competition Verb, Inc. ~ Everglades Foundation ~ Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant 4

5 Requisite Skills: The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will have significant experience in the field of environmental engineering or physical / chemical sciences to support environmental protection work (water). The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will be up to date on current efforts and programs underway globally in the area of phosphorus removal, recovery and reuse from surface waters and breakthroughs. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will be connected to the global phosphorus expert network. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will have completed significant field work in the area of water, phosphorus, implementing water quality criteria, laboratory methods and analytical tools, and have worked on different phosphorus impaired watersheds. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will have some knowledge of applicable US / State environmental laws and regulations related to testing a technology in-situ. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will have demonstrated strong data analysis capabilities. Skill Set - Strong data analysis skills. Detail oriented. Strong knowledge of key technologies and leaders in the phosphorus field. Strong research skills. Field expert in the area of phosphorus removal, recovery and reuse. Skills in standardizing data to compare technologies. Expert in lab methods and analytical tools. Strong written and verbal communicator. Good coordination skills. Excellent skills in developing clear and concise recommendations. Skills in organizing workload, prioritizing responsibilities, and meeting deadlines for deliverables. Candidate should have broad relationships in the scientific and technical community tied to phosphorus. Able to travel. Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications: Engineering or a Master s degree in Environmental Engineering, Water Quality, Chemistry, Water Resources or a closely related discipline. Preferred qualifications: PhD in Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Water Resources or a closely related discipline. Several years of professional experience in Water Pollution Remediation or in Environmental Engineering would be a bonus. The consultant is expected to work independently while applying individual initiative to meeting deadlines. Meetings will be frequently scheduled to present updates. Position Structure - Role is structured as a one-year consulting arrangement. This initial one-year contract will be a heavy workload for the first 6 to 8 months to develop the testing criteria and source testing facilities. The one-year contract will taper in the final four to six months with the option to renew for completion of the additional activities listed above. The Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant will be available to travel (up to one trip per month) between Austin, TX, South Miami, FL and/or the testing facilities. Compensation Package - Competitive consultant payment. Paid travel expenses Verb, Inc. ~ Everglades Foundation ~ Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant 5

6 How to apply: Please communicate directly with: Sarah Covey, Director of Account Management, Verb, Inc (M) 2015 Verb, Inc. ~ Everglades Foundation ~ Environmental Engineering Senior Consultant 6