What are the responsibilities and job description for the DOI Marine Mineral Administration (MMA) Fellowship - Scientific Evaluation of Stakeholder Relationship Management position at U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)?
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
MMA Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) located in Sterling, Virginia. Flexibility may allow virtual participation.
The Marine Minerals Administration (MMA), which was previously the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), promotes energy independence, environmental protection and economic development through responsible, science-based management of energy and mineral resources on the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The bureau is responsible for stewardship of U.S. OCS energy and mineral resources, as well as protecting the environment that the development of those resources may impact. MMA's mission is to oversee the responsible development of the nation’s offshore energy and marine mineral resources with an integrated focus on safety, environmental protection and efficient oversight.
MMA is legally required to conduct environmental science and analysis for managing offshore oil and gas, sand resources, renewable energy, carbon sequestration, and critical minerals. MMA’s streamlined environmental analyses cover over 30 federal regulations and help the bureau make timely and durable decisions at every stage of offshore development.
Up-to-date science and research are foundational to support accurate analyses. We develop productive solutions, cutting-edge innovation, and cost-effective public and private partnerships.
MMA engages with stakeholders in a fair and transparent manner to foster trust and collaboration and to ensure that offshore development benefits all Americans. MMA upholds its federal trust responsibilities by engaging Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian communities in the stewardship of culturally and environmentally significant federal lands and waters.
Research Project: MMA's Office of Environmental Programs seeks a Fellow to gain experience in enhancing public engagement (the collaborative process of involving members of the public, Tribes, States, or others, in decision-making) by improving and evaluating stakeholder relationship management (SRM) advancements at MMA. You will primarily conduct research on whether the pilot of an SRM tool is improving how stakeholder information is tracked, organized, and used across internal teams. This research will use scientific approaches to evaluate process improvement in the fields of public engagement and communications. You will also input data into the SRM, review data for quality control, and contribute to the development of standard operating procedures. The primary research project for you includes designing a survey (in partnership with your mentor) to produce a report that evaluates the pilot year of the SRM against key performance metrics. You will be involved in the over-arching effort to centralize stakeholder data, streamline outreach, and enable real-time analytics– delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, transparency, and trust for MMA's mission.
As the pilot year of the SRM will focus on tribal engagement, you will gain an understanding of the Tribal engagement and Government-to-Government consultation as well as the public comment process. Through the research project and interaction with colleagues, you will be exposed to social science methods for improving public engagement, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and associated environmental analyses, offshore energy policy, approaches to bringing innovation into government processes, government contracting, and program evaluation. This project will provide an opportunity to collaborate and gain skills on a high-profile administration goal with representatives from throughout MMA’s program and regional offices, exposing you to a variety of perspectives and issues.
Learning Objectives: Under the guidance a mentor, you may gain skills and experience in the following areas:
- Gain experience supporting the strategic improvement and evaluation of the SRM tool and its data collection processes.
- Learn to synthesize themes and patterns in engagement data, including identifying key concerns across stakeholder groups.
- Build knowledge of participatory approaches in energy planning and environmental analysis to support broader stakeholder engagement efforts.
- Develop skills in data management, organization, and quality control.
- Gain experience conducting user assessments and coordinating with subject matter collaborators.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of standard operating procedures for the SRM.
- Learn methods for evaluating and improving performance metrics associated with the SRM tool.
- Build program evaluation skills by helping design and implement processes to assess the return on investment of the SRM tool.
- Strengthen collaborative and communication skills through efforts that support meaningful engagement with stakeholders and Tribes.
Overall, you will have the unique opportunity to learn at the intersection of stakeholder engagement, marine sciences, and offshore energy. Your mentor will ensure you will be connected to other professionals and technical scientists across disciplines within, and potentially external to, MMA as relevant to the development of your study and career interests.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Laura Mansfield (Laura.Mansfield@boem.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact Liz Dawson (elizabeth.dawson@boem.gov).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 21, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of DOI and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is full time or part time.
Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and MMA. Participants do not become employees of MMA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.
Questions: If you have questions about the application process please email ORISE.MMA@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.