USFS Research and Development Internship
USFS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS).
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 opportunity will allow the participants to expose to a spectrum of Forest Service research and development, and interact with science users and land mangers. Examples include but are not limited to following projects:
- Contribute to research pertaining to forest management and restoration. This includes but is not limited to field data collection, data cleaning and analysis, conducting literature reviews, writing briefing papers, and contributing to articles and publications.
- Assist in the production of upcoming National Climate Assessments. This includes those on forest pathology and the use of prescribed fire in the United States.
- Collaborate with the National Agroforestry Center for the compilation of a guidebook of agroforestry tree species and their uses in agroforestry systems in the United States.
- Attend activities involving Forest Service in social equity work undertaken by the Interagency Council for the Advancement of Meteorological Services.
- Support the work undertaken by the Forest Service as dictated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including work geared towards building the social acceptance on the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy
Learning Objectives:
- National Agroforestry Center for the compilation of a guidebook of agroforestry tree species and their uses in agroforestry systems in the United States.
- Field data collection, data cleaning and analysis, conducting literature reviews, writing briefing papers, and contributing to articles and publications
- Participate on national assessments. This includes those on forest pathology and the use of prescribed fire in the United States.
- Participate on Social Acceptance and Social Equity projects to inform Diversity and Inclusion
- Assist on Climate Hub projects that are agriculture and forestry focused.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Toral Patel-Weynand (toral.patel-weynand@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 30, 2022. Start date is flexible and negotiable, 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 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, 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 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 bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g. Environmental Science).