Project Title: US Forest Service - Resource Assistant Program Position:
Hydrologist (HA908)
Project Type: In-person with opportunities for remote work, travel, and training.
Duration: 8 months, full-time with 40 hours per week working schedule. Internship to start Summer 2024. Exact date to be announce.
Location: USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF), San Juan, PR
Housing: Must be secured by the intern/fellow. A housing stipend of up to $1,000 per month will be provided.
Project Background: The incumbent will be located at the International Institute of Tropical Forestry and this position will provide experience on all aspects of research and development (R&D), interacting with R&D staff including a range of technicians, specialists, and scientists, conducting scientific work within the Luquillo Experimental Forest, notably the Bisley Experimental Watersheds, as well as other research areas part of the IITF mission. The project goal is to study tropical ecosystem dynamics at stream, river network, watershed, and landscape scales with a focus on responses to disturbance and long-term dynamics, addressing hydrological, and hydrological associated geomorphology and sedimentology. Daily roles and tasks will be flexible and could range from field data collection (e.g., precipitation, throughfall, streamflow) to laboratory data processing, hydrological modelling and data analyses in an office setting, and group meetings to plan individual research activities.
Project Duties:
- Participate in and assist with quantification and analyses of rainfall, throughfall and streamflow in tropical landscapes.
- Contribute to analyze, monitor, and interpret available long-term datasets including meteorological /climate data, and use of techniques associated hydrological geomorphology and sedimentology as appropriate and as part of studies.
- Participate in and assist with research on global changes to assess the effects of climate and land use and cover change of tropical ecosystems and their biodiversity.
- Participate in and assist with research that identifies and characterizes the role of atmospheric inputs and hydrologic outputs in producing the complex spatiotemporal landscape that shape the functioning of critical zones in tropical landscapes.
- Propose methods and instrumentation to improve or extend the hydrological, hydrological-associated geomorphology and sedimentology components of on-going research. Includes observing, suggesting, and developing changes that serve the broad tropical research mission.
- Draft and publish scientific papers.
Resource Assistants (RAs) will work and communicate with a Hispanic Access Program Associate during their fellowship. Fellows will be expected to participate in scheduled conference calls, webinars, and meetings conducted throughout their term. Fellows will capture photos and/or videos for reporting purposes and submit 3-5 blog posts highlighting their experience and development. (5%)
Desired Qualifications:
- Advance knowledge of hydrological and hydrological geosciences, theories, practices, and established methodology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in analyzing a wide variety of hydrological and environmental data.
- Experience conducting the full cycle of scientific research (including identifying research topics, defining study objectives, organizing and conducting the research, interpreting the results, and presenting the findings in the form of reports, demonstrations, manuscripts, and other appropriate technology transfer activities) in one or more of the following areas: stream, river, riparian, tropical ecosystems, and/or watershed hydrology to examine the ecohydrological responses.
- Knowledgeable use of advanced analytical tools such as geographic information systems, spatial statistics, analytical statistics, instrumentation, and computer simulation models.
- Disseminating research findings at conferences or scientific meetings and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.
Minimum Qualifications:
- US citizenship or permanent residency. Interns must undergo a government background check if selected.
- Completion of a PhD in Hydrology or Geosciences with a focus on hydrology or related fields.
- Must be 17 years of age or older.
- Must have a driver’s license.
Working Conditions: This position will be based at the USFS International Institute of Tropical Forestry in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Work environment will vary between outdoor assignments in the field and indoor assignments in the office. Offices are adequately lighted and ventilated. Duties in the outdoors can occur in sunny, warm or hot, and humid conditions. Candidates are encouraged to research local conditions and amenities. The incumbent located on a research facility and is responsible for conducting research, studies, publications, developing methodology, collecting, and analyzing data, and planning projects involving the broadest range of hydrological sciences in support of a variety of research activities.
Stipend + Benefits:
- A biweekly stipend of $1,300 based on a 40-hour workweek
- Monthly housing stipend up to $1,000 per month
- Monthly commuting stipend up to $50
- Health insurance coverage
- Travel expenses paid to participate in orientation July 15, 2024 – July 19, 2024
- Funds available to support professional development opportunities that align with role and goals (training, conference, etc.)
- Direct Hire Authority Eligibility – after completing 960 hours, DHA status provides special non-competitive hiring status when applying for certain federal positions.
Application:
Hispanic Access Foundation (Hispanic Access) is managing the recruitment for these positions. All applications should be submitted through Hispanic Access' MANO Project application page. A resume and two references will be required for submission. Your application or resume should include professional and educational experience, along with any awards, technical skills or volunteer activities. Application questions or issues may be directed to nicole@hispanicaccess.org.
Applications for this position are due on Sunday, April 28, 2024 11:59 pm. Interviews are scheduled to take place between May 7 and May 9, 2024.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement:
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process should contact Hispanic Access Foundation directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
US Forest Service Mission:
To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Hispanic Access Foundation Mission:
Hispanic Access Foundation (Hispanic Access) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization that connects Latinos and People of Color to partners and opportunities improving lives and creating an equitable society. Hispanic Access’s vision is that all Hispanics throughout the U.S. enjoy good physical health, a healthy natural environment, a quality education, economic success and civic engagement in their communities with the sum improving the future of America.