USFS Plant Ecology Field Fellowships

Application Deadline

3/29/2024 2:37:52 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis. The mentor will begin reviewing applications the week of March 18 or after 10 applications have been received.

USFS Office/Lab and Location: Fellowship opportunities are available with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS) within the Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS) located in Corvallis, Oregon.

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: Want to gain valuable experience being part of a federal agency team? An ORISE fellowship can open a door to a career in natural resources and making a difference. The US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station is seeking highly motivated fellows to collaborate with scientists and land managers conducting field research about plant invasions in forests. We anticipate filling 1-2 seasonal fellowships. Forest Service Research and Development (R&D) works at the forefront of science to improve the health and use of our Nation's forests and grasslands. The Pacific Northwest Research Station is one of five geographically based research stations within the US Forest Service.

Learning Objectives: Hands-on experience will be centered on field-based ecology research projects, including collecting botanical and environmental data in forests, woodlands, and rangelands, as part of a field team. Additional opportunities may include entering data in the office, learning how to do QA/QC for field data, and generating graphical summaries.

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Becky Kerns (becky.kerns@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 13, 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 12 weeks, 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. 

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 ORISE.USFS.PNWRS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Forestry, Forest Ecology, Rangeland Ecology, Botany).

Preferred Skills:

• Field experience, including collecting plant cover and biomass, establishing plots and transects, using topographic maps, determining slope and aspect, measuring trees, using a compass or field GIS system, etc.
• Experience conducting or participating in research studies
• Understanding of ecology, fire and invasion ecology, disturbance ecology
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently with established guidelines

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.