USDA Fellowship in Climate Hubs Forest Research and Outreach Synthesis and Communication
To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.
A complete application consists of:
- An application
- Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
- A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
- Two educational or professional recommendations. At least one recommendation must be submitted in order for the mentor to view your application.
All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
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*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
USDA Forest Service Office/Lab and Location: A fellowship opportunity is available with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (FS) within the Forest Service Washington Office (WO). This opportunity is remote.
At the heart of the USDA 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 USDA 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: The USDA Forest Service, Research and Development USDA Climate Hubs is supporting a fellowship position to synthesize and communicate the outcomes of research and outreach activities of the Forest Service through the USDA Climate Hubs. The fellowship will provide an opportunity to assess the objectives, outputs, and outcomes of the Forest Service led components of the Climate Hubs. It will provide an opportunity to synthesize these results into reporting and communications which raise awareness of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, challenges, and solutions addressed by the Climate Hubs and relevant to Forest Service mission and priorities.
Under the guidance of a mentor, research activities may include:
- Research on the mechanisms and effectiveness of science delivery important to forest and rangeland managers, including ecosystem service and carbon quantification, reforestation, and extreme climate events.
- Support and synthesis of Forest Service relevant activities of the Climate Hubs and cohort of Climate Hub Fellows.
- Interacting with counterparts in USDA science agencies and with other government agencies to facilitate forest and rangeland management and climate adaptation.
- Participation in professional conferences, meetings, and workshops.
- Support for climate change education, outreach, and training.
- Participation in needs assessments and the application of decision tools and information by forest and rangeland managers to reduce the risks of climate change and extreme weather events.
Learning Objectives:
- Enhance collaborative skills by participating as a member of an interdisciplinary team investigating opportunities to advance climate mitigation and adaptation.
- Enhance leadership and facilitation skills by coordinating across the Climate Hub network and leading the community of climate fellows.
- Understand and facilitate interactions at the intersection between science and land management.
- Enhance communication skills and experience by sharing information developed with management, professional and scientific communities via presentations and publishing findings in journals and reports. Also includes drafting communication materials, such as website content, information sheets, and newsletters.
- Strengthen techniques used for data collection and analysis. This includes conducting scientific syntheses, data mining, and conducting interviews with key partners.
There will be opportunities for professional development including skill training and travel. The Fellow will have the opportunity to interact with scientists in Forest Service and other land management agencies and entities.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is William Gould (william.a.gould@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: December 2024. 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 USDA Forest Service 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.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. Citizens only.
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 USDA Forest Service. Participants do not become employees of USDA, USDA Forest Service, 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 ORISE.USFS.WO@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a master's or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years, or anticipated to be received by June 30, 2025.
Preferred skills/experience:
- Skills in synthesis and communication.
- Experience assessing research and outreach outcomes and impacts.
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