[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 178 (Friday, September 14, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52555-52556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18152]


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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: [email protected].

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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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