USDA Forest Service Postgraduate Geospatial Fellowship

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USDA Forest Service Office/Lab and Location: A postgraduate opportunity is available with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS) within the Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS) located in La Grande, Oregon.

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.

Research Project: The Meadow Creek Watershed Collaboration is part of the PNW Research Station's (PNWRS) Northwest Water Initiative and includes over 50 collaborators from USDA Forest Service Research and Development, USDA Forest Service National Forest Systems, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Bureau of Reclamation (POR), and multiple other federal, state, and university partners. The project's main objectives are to evaluate the following:

1. Biophysical outcomes, such as hydrology, stream temperatures, and fish growth, productivity and biodiversity, resulting from Stage-0 valley floor restoration.
2. Upland forest restoration treatments, such as thinning, and their impact on distribution of snow and timing of snowmelt.
3. Vegetation restoration treatments in riparian habitat conservation areas effects on stream shade and temperature.
4. Cattle, deer, elk and beaver effects on stream and riparian conditions and how these can be managed to achieve multiple landscape objectives.

Learning Objectives: The participant will have opportunities to learn about managing geospatial data, conducting analysis, and geospatial product development to support the research, monitoring, and evaluation (RME) elements of the Meadow Creek Watershed Collaboration project.  An experienced PNWRS Geospatial Analyst will mentor the participant throughout the appointment to help them apply and further develop their recently gained geospatial and data management and analysis skills.  This appointment will also provide ample opportunities for the participant to develop their communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills.

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Bridgett Naylor (bridgett.naylor@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: July 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 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.PNWRS@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. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Academic Level(s): Post-Bachelor's or Post-Master's.