*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis. Full application details here.
USFS Office/Lab and Location: A postgraduate research opportunity is available with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW) located in Arcata, California. The appointment may begin remotely due to COVID19 restrictions.
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: The participant will collaborate with a diverse science team of the USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW) and several of its federal, state, and non-governmental partners. The participant will join the Meadows Restoration Research team to contribute to understanding hydrology and sediment delivery in fire-impacted watersheds and meadows in the Sierra Nevada. The multi-year study is assessing the efficacy of using ecological approaches to restore degraded riparian mountain meadows. Specifically, the participant will perform activities to review and synthesize data collected from ongoing experiments and participate in new or ongoing field projects as opportunities arise.
Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will apply their knowledge and skills of teamwork and collegiality, hydrology, sediment production and delivery, statistics, and data visualization to review and analyze meteorological, hydrological, and geomorphological data from research conducted before and after meadow restoration on the Plumas and Sierra National Forests. Other opportunities may be available with our partners. Activities will include learning to lead field data collection and instrument troubleshooting, topographical surveying, using software to review and adjust electronic data based on other field records, developing algorithms to review data, analyzing and interpreting results, and communicating results via written and oral presentations. Periodic field work and other travel will be necessary.
Mentor: The 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: As soon as a qualified candidate is identified. 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 an additional year 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.
COVID-19 Requirements: The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).
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 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 June 15, 2022. Degree must have been received within the past 5 years.
Preferred skills:
- Experience conducting watershed research and analyzing meteorological, hydrological, and geomorphological data
- Experience gauging streams for stage and turbidity including instrument troubleshooting
- Comfortable using software to review and adjust electronic data based on other field records, developing algorithms to review data, analyzing and interpreting results, and communicating results via written and oral presentations
Eligibility Requirements: Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 6/15/2022 11:59:00 PM.
Overall GPA: 3.00
Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).