Job Type: Student / postdoc
Salary Details: $68,000-$72,000 per year by monthly stipend
Deadline: Aug 18, 2023

USFS Office/Lab and Location: A fellowship opportunity is available to engage with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS) Northwest Climate Hub (NWCH). This fellowship is based in the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station. The participant will be located in Olympia, Washington (with the NWCH director). The NWCH serves Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington by delivering science-based, region-specific technologies and practical information for climate-informed decision making. Additional information about the NWCH can be found at https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northwest.

At the heart of the U.S. Forest Service’s mission is their purpose. Everything they do is intended to help sustain forests and grasslands for present and future generations. Why? Because their stewardship work supports nature in sustaining life. This is the purpose that drives the agency’s mission and motivates their work across the agency. It’s been there from the agency’s very beginning, and it still drives them. To advance the mission and serve their purpose, the U.S. Forest Service balances the short and long-term needs of people and nature by: working in collaboration with communities and our partners; providing access to resources and experiences that promote economic, ecological, and social vitality; connecting people to the land and one another; and delivering world-class science, technology and land management.

Research Project: This fellow will engage with USDA Climate Hub staff to focus on a national priority of the Forest Service, improving the condition of forests and grasslands. To address this priority, the fellow will collaborate with USDA Climate Hub staff to develop information on carbon management on working lands (forests, rangelands, and farms). The fellow will engage with USDA, Forest Service and Climate Hub staff to help develop summaries to:

  • Guide management planning practices for the National Forest System following guidance from the Council on Environmental Quality on carbon and greenhouse gases.
  • Engage with Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station’s carbon initiative to develop communication materials for land managers.
  • Develop communications on carbon for agricultural and natural resource land managers.

Learning Objectives: 

  • Learn about climate change science and natural resource management issues in the Northwest while helping integrate carbon information into forest planning and projects.
  • Gain first-hand knowledge of Forest Service Research & Development science, National Forest System management, and other USDA agencies.
  • Understand and facilitate interactions at the intersection between science and land management

The participant will have the opportunity to interact with scientists in Forest Service research stations, and managers in the National Forest System and other land management agencies and entities. The participant may explore options for future job or educational opportunities and take advantage of additional training opportunities. There will be opportunities for professional development, including training and travel.

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Jessica Halofsky (jessica.halofsky@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 18, 2023.  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 extended upon recommendation of USFS and is contingent on the availability of funds. 

Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience within the range of $68,000-$72,000.

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 USFS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, USFS, 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: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email USForestService@orise.orau.gov and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by September 29, 2023. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

A doctoral degree in natural science with demonstrated experience in natural resource management is preferred.

Strong candidates for the fellowship will have the preferred skills/experience:

  • Experience applying scientific analyses and results to resource management issues
  • Extensive knowledge related to land management and its impacts to carbon storage and sequestration
  • Familiarity with climate impact and carbon models
  • Ability to write clearly and effectively for technical and non-technical audiences
  • A record of publishing scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals
  • Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate highly technical information to non-technical audiences
  • Ability to effectively synthesize scientific information
HOW TO APPLY

Apply at this link: https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-USFS-2023-0290