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. Selected candidate may be required to provide proof of completion of the degree before the appointment can start. Proof must be sent to ORISE directly from the academic institution including graduation date and degree awarded.
• A current Resume/CV

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

If you have questions, please send an email to USForestService@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code in the subject line of your email.

The Pacific Northwest Research Station of the USDA Forest Service is seeking candidates for a 1-year research opportunity (with extensions possible up to four years) in Social Science Analysis . The opportunity will be in the Goods, Services, and Values Program, Urban-Wildland Interactions (UWI) Team located in Seattle, WA. The UWI Team conducts research in urban forestry, nature and human health, human uses and values of public lands, and forest, watershed, and environmental restoration. More information about UWI Team scientists, research projects, and research partners may be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/ruwit/.

The participant will initially support research studies designed to understand the relationship between nature and human health and well-being, mapping human uses and values of national forests and parks, and agency planning and policy evaluation projects. The participant will support multiple research teams and projects primarily through social science data collection, data base management and statistical analysis, and writing manuscript and briefing papers. Other possible activities include research presentations and partner collaboration.

Specific activities will include:

• Collaborate with Station scientists and partners to address research needs and opportunities.
• Develop and manage data bases of social science and environmental and public health data.
• Collaborate with Station scientists to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative social and economic data.
• Contribute to research publications and science syntheses on high priority or emerging research topics.
• Develop briefing papers and help scientists develop new approaches (including social media) to communicate research outcomes to diverse audiences.

The primary need for the research participant is to support existing project work, but there may be opportunities to initiate new research projects as well, especially if the participant has experience or interest in urban ecology or watershed restoration as related to cultural ecosystem services such as recreation, community well-being, environmental justice, or public health.

For additional information about the US Forest Service (USFS) Research Participation Program, please visit: http://www.orau.gov/usfs_rpp/index.html

Participant Benefits

Research opportunities are typically full-time for one year and may be extended in increments of up to one year, contingent upon project needs and funding availability. The maximum length of time a participant can spend in the ORISE program is five years from his/her initial start date.. Selected candidates will receive an annual stipend of $70,000 as support for their living and other expenses during this appointment. A stipend supplement may be provided to cover the cost of an individual or family health insurance plan and a travel budget up to $5,000. Relocation expenses may be reimbursed.

Appointment Location

This position is located in Seattle, WA.

Nature of the Appointment

Participants will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, USDA or any other office or agency. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

This is an equal opportunity program open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, generic information, sexual orientation, or covered veteran’s status.

Candidates should have at least an MS/MA degree in social science, economics, planning of natural resources or environmental science. Their educational program should indicate collaborative or multidisciplinary studies and project work.  Education and professional development should indicate interest or experiende in the study of urban natural resources or socio-ecological systems.

Ideal Candidates will have:

• Strong data base development and management skills.
• Experience with statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, or STATA) and basic statistical analysis.
• Demonstrated strong writing and verbal skills (including experience giving formal presentations).
• Background conducting analysis for research publications and management application.
• Experience and knowledge of working with complex, collaborative project teams.

Preferred qualifications or plus factors include: 

• A PhD in a related field.
• Experience collecting or accessing public health, demographic, economic, or archival data.
• Experience mapping environmental and social science data.
• Design and development of outreach materials (such as website design and management, social media, briefing papers, presentation or publishing software).
• Understanding of multivariate analysis.

• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (4 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (3 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (1 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (5 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (27 )