USDA Forest Service Postgraduate Agroforestry Carbon Monitoring Fellowship

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USDA Forest Service Office/Lab and Location: A fellowship opportunity is available with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (FS) within the Forest Service Washington Office (WO), Research and Development, National Agroforestry Center (NAC).  The fellow will be located in Lincoln, Nebraska or in Washington, DC, or may be remote.

At the heart of the USDA 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 USDA 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.

The mission of the National Agroforestry Center (NAC) is to advance the health, diversity, and productivity of working lands, waters, and communities through agroforestry. The Center accelerates the adoption of agroforestry by leading, catalyzing, coordinating, and conducting research and science-based outreach. It is the only U.S. Department of Agriculture unit dedicated to agroforestry and is uniquely poised to provide U.S. leadership in agroforestry research and application. The National Agroforestry Center is part of Forest Service's Washington, DC Office of Research and Development. 

Research Project: Agroforestry has the potential to sequester carbon on agricultural lands, serving as a natural climate solution. However, because agroforestry practices include trees outside of forests, or management activities that alter forest structure and function, the carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry differs from that of forests, pastures or croplands. This fellowship will support research to develop carbon monitoring protocols specific to agroforestry practices, with a focus on soils and perennial biomass. Research will include: science synthesis on agroforestry carbon sampling methodology; identification of sampling sites for carbon monitoring; field sampling/measurements to test sampling methodology; and co-development of research papers and training curricula on carbon monitoring methods for agroforestry practices. Research will be conducted in collaboration with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the USDA Climate Hubs, and a university partner. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Enhance collaborative skills by collaborating as a member of a team investigating carbon monitoring methods for agroforestry.
• Enhance partnership-building skills by identifying a network of carbon monitoring sites for agroforestry.
• Understand and facilitate the quantification of climate-smart practices, to better assess the impacts of land management activities.
• Enhance communication skills and experience by sharing information with managers and the scientific community via presentations and publishing findings in journals and reports. Also includes drafting communication materials.
• Strengthen techniques used for data collection and analysis. This includes conducting scientific syntheses, data analysis, and outreach with key partners.

There will be opportunities for professional development including skill training and travel. The Fellow will have the opportunity to interact with scientists and managers in the Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agricultural Research Service and other and entities. 

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Anne Marsh (anne.marsh@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Novemeber 2024.  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 up to three years upon recommendation of USDA Forest Service 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 USDA Forest Service. Participants do not become employees of USDA, USDA Forest Service, 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.WO@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field (e.g., Forestry, Natural Resource Science/Management, Ecology, Ecosystem Science, Environmental Conservation/Science, Horticulture, Agroforestry, Earth Sciences, etc.). Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

• Demonstrated experience with agroforestry systems, whether applied, research, technical assistance, etc.
• Experience with carbon sampling in forest, rangeland, or agroforestry systems, including allometric techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience presenting on natural resource topics.
• Strong quantitative skills with experience analyzing complex datasets, interpreting output and generating clearly understandable tables and graphics that convey accurate and compelling interpretations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to perform both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize activities to meet project schedules.
• Evidence of scientific and technical writing skills.
• Experience in sharing technical natural resource information with decision-makers and researchers through print and presentations.

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).