USDA-FS Wildfire-Treatment Outcomes Research Fellow

*To receive full consideration please apply by August 16, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis, and this opportunity will remain open until a qualified candidate is identified.

USDA Forest Service Office/Lab and Location: A research fellowship opportunity is available with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Sustainable Forest Management Research (SFMR) staff area, located at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Washington, DC. The candidate has the option to participate remotely or at the Washington Office.

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.

SFMR is located within the National Headquarters of USFS Research and Development (R&D). R&D is committed to impactful science, effective delivery, and organizational synergy. R&D’s contributions to the Forest Service and to the broader natural resource community are based on our scientific excellence in the foundational research areas of forest and grassland health; forest soils, air quality, and hydrology; and silviculture and ecology, including forest ecology, fire ecology, and fish & wildlife ecology. These foundational disciplines are essential to our leadership in addressing the agency’s national research priorities. The SFMR Staff Area in Washington DC includes national program leads on many of these foundational research areas.

Research Project: The fellow will have the opportunity to gain skills as a Facilitator with the Wildfire Treatment Outcomes Project. This is a national priority research effort to evaluate outcomes of wildfires interacting with fuel reduction treatments across the Western US. The objective of the project is to better understand the conditions under which treatments produce desired outcomes, including reduction in fire severity, successful containment of fire spread, and reduction in wildfire impacts to homes and other infrastructure. The project involves both methodological development that will allow for future comparisons across geographic regions, and analysis of case studies.

The fellow will learn about guiding an interdisciplinary analysis team to ensure project objectives and milestones are met, serve as a point of contact for project-related inquiries (internal and external), and learn about creating project plans and communication materials. The fellow will also have the opportunity to aid in data acquisition and analysis, and collaborative manuscript writing. This opportunity is an ideal opportunity for anyone seeking to gain research leadership and project management experience with a national high-profile initiative with a skilled group of research collaborators.

In addition, the Fellow will have the opportunity to engage with National Program Leads from within the SFMR staff areas to contribute to ongoing research initiatives in those foundational disciplines.

Learning Objectives: 

• Develop leadership skills by learning about planning, coordination, and implementation of meetings and strategic planning to implement research objectives of the Wildfire Treatment Outcomes project.
• Understand and facilitate interactions at the intersection between science and land management.
• Strengthen and apply techniques used for data collection, integration, and analysis. This includes conducting scientific syntheses, data mining, geospatial analyses, database development, and using governmental knowledge support systems.
• Enhance science communication skills and experience by sharing information developed with management, professional and scientific communities via presentations and publishing findings in journals and reports. Also includes drafting communication materials, such as website content, information sheets, and briefing papers.

There will be opportunities for professional development including skill training and travel. The Fellow will have the opportunity to interact with scientists in the Forest Service, with Universities, and other land management agencies and entities.

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Jens Stevens (jens.stevens@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 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 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 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 be currently pursuing or have received a master's or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years, or anticipated to be received by 1/1/2025.

Preferred skills:

• Demonstrated research experience with forest and fire management research topics, including but not limited to forestry, ecology, wildland fire science and management, and remote sensing.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize activities to meet project schedules.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and work with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to perform both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience presenting on natural resource topics, especially wildland fire science.
• Strong quantitative skills with experience analyzing large and complex datasets, including spatial datasets, interpreting output and generating clearly understandable tables and graphics that convey accurate and compelling interpretations. Some coding, data visualization, and/or research database management skills (e.g., in R, Python, or SQL) preferred.
• Evidence of scientific and technical writing skills
• Experience in sharing technical natural resource information with decision-makers and researchers through print and presentations
• Doctoral degree in eligible discipline is preferred

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 1/1/2025 12:00:00 AM.