USFS Sierra Nevada Meadow Restoration Research

Organization
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Reference Code
USDA-USFS-2021-0252
How to Apply

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A complete application package 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.  Selected candidate must provide proof of completion of the degree before the appointment can start.  Click Here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
  • A current resume/CV
  • 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.

Application Deadline
11/29/2021 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USFS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available with US Forest Service (USFS), Pacific Southwest Research Station located in Arcata, California.

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 project will provide the selected participant with hands on experience on a multi-year study assessing the efficacy of using ecological approaches to restore degraded riparian mountain meadows. Research will focus on assessing ecological responses to changes in hydrological and sediment processes under differing catchment disturbance regimes. Approaches will include conducting and analyzing detailed vegetation survey data, quantifying sediment delivery rates in recently restored meadows and monitoring differences in sediment transport, deposition, and stream flow in six experimental meadow pre- and post-restoration.

Learning ObjectivesExperiences include set up of technical equipment; interacting with diverse field crews; collecting bathymetric, hydrological and ecological data; analyzing data; and preparing reports on findings. 

MentorThe mentor for this opportunity is Karen Pope (karen.pope@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: October 18, 2021 or later.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment LengthThe appointment will initially be for one year, but may be extended for an additional year upon recommendation of USFS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of ParticipationThe appointment is full-time.

Participant StipendThe participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship RequirementsThis 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 InformationThis 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 master's degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree with completion by December 15, 2021. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

  • Experience and interest in meadow ecology and restoration science
  • Ability to identify meadow plants to species
  • Experience preparing and analyzing data using R
  • Oral and written communication skills
Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 12/15/2021 11:59:00 PM.
  • Overall GPA: 3.00
  • Discipline(s):
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (7 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (17 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (1 )
  • Age: Must be 18 years of age
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