USGS Climate Change Portfolio and Planning Fellowship

1/10/2025 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

USGS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the USGS Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) network, specifically the regional North Central CASC (NC CASC) located in Boulder, Colorado. Regional CASCs support and produce science to inform on-the-ground climate adaptation planning by natural and cultural resource managers. The selected candidate can report remotely however, preference will be given to candidates located in, or willing to relocate to, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota or South Dakota.

The USGS mission is to monitor, analyze, and predict current and evolving dynamics of complex human and natural Earth-system interactions and to deliver actionable intelligence at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers. As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides science about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.

Research Project: The objectives for this opportunity are to 1) evaluate the impact and efficacy of climate adaptation research projects previously funded by the NC CASC, and 2) incorporate the evaluation outcomes into an update of the NC CASC Strategic Science Plan. Since 2011, the USGS has invested millions of dollars in climate adaptation research projects and an understanding of the impact of that investment is central to the CASC mission of delivering actionable science to resource managers. This research project will entail both the development of methodology for the evaluation (which may include sociological and ecological considerations) and application of that methodology to evaluate the NC CASC regional research portfolio. Additionally, the outcomes of the evaluation will be used as a foundation to revise regional science priorities and update the NC CASC Strategic Science Plan. 

Under the guidance of a mentor, specific activities include, but are not limited to:

• Collaborate regularly with USGS North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center staff and intermittently with other regional and national CASC staff to understand the scope of the USGS CASC mission and goals for actionable science
• Conduct research into the most effective and appropriate mechanisms for evaluating science funding portfolios
• Systematically apply evaluation methods to individual projects to understand the collective impact of the NC CASC funded science portfolio
• Utilize the results of the portfolio evaluation to inform potential revisions to the NC CASC Strategic Science Plan
• Help with revisions and updates for the next NC CASC Strategic Science Plan Document evaluation and strategic planning processes and prepare outreach materials and presentations for sharing with other regional CASCs and a variety of audiences

Learning Objectives: The selected participant will have the opportunity to learn about leadership in the development of portfolio evaluation methodologies, refine their knowledge of global change sciences, better understand the needs of the natural resource management community, engage with federal and non-federal partners, and gain valuable experience being a part of a partnership-driven program within a federal science agency.

Mentor: The mentors for this opportunity are Aparna Bamzai (abamzai@usgs.gov) and Stefan Tangen (stangen@usgs.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentors.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 17, 2025. 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 upon recommendation of USGS 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 based on education, experience, and full-/part-time status. Health insurance for the candidate is provided, as are funds for project-related support and travel.

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 USGS. Participants do not become employees of USGS, 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: If you have questions about the application process, please email USGS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor’s or master's degree in one of the relevant fields listed in the eligibility requirements section or be currently pursuing one of the degrees with completion before May 31, 2025. Degree must have been received within the last two years or be pursuing.

Preferred skills:

• Experience with synthesizing and analyzing peer reviewed literature, gray literature, and white literature.
• Experience with evaluation methods in climate science or relevant fields (i.e. public health)
• Experience working in collaborative research teams
• Experience with strategic planning documents and scientific prioritization
• Experience being accountable to external customers, public officials, and diverse stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and good organizational skills

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 24 months or anticipated to be received by 5/31/2025 12:00:00 AM.