USGS Improving Decisions in the Context of Climate Adaptation

USGS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Centers (NE CASC), located in Amherst, Massachusetts.

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.

The Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Centers (NE CASC) conducts and supports research to understand how changing climate conditions impact fish, wildlife, ecosystems, and communities. Through this work, we aim to provide on-the-ground natural resource managers and other stakeholders with scientific information and decision-making tools to help them understand, respond, and adapt to these changes.

Research Project: Climate change is increasingly affecting natural and human systems, and U.S. natural resource management agencies are developing strategies to adapt. Concurrently, the DOI has extensively developed an approach, based in decision theory and risk analysis, that identifies and evaluates alternatives with a focus on engaging stakeholders, rightsholders, and experts in a transparent and inclusive solution-oriented dialogue. This process has proven to aid managers in developing solutions that meet the multiple objectives usually found in the complex natural resource management space.

As part of NE CASC, the chosen candidate will use decision analysis tools and techniques to help advance climate adaptation for natural resource managers. They will be mentored by a team of decision scientists and climate adaptation professionals, led by Toni Lyn Morelli, a Research Ecologist with the NE CASC and Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Learning Objectives: Specific learning activities under the guidance of a mentor include, but are not limited to: 

• Meeting with staff at the US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service in the northeast region to identify strategic objectives, understand data needs, and build relationships. Notably, this will involve eliciting ideas for potential case studies in which climate change poses a challenge to decision making.
• Collaborate with the project team to identify 3-4 case studies and relevant decision makers, key interested parties, and experts from among those nominated by the management agencies that may produce fruitful insights into the integration of decision analysis and adaptation approaches.
• Organize and facilitate workshops related to each case study. These workshops will bring together support teams with expertise in structured decision making and climate adaptation to aid the decision-making teams.
• Publish two peer-reviewed papers as well as agency reports on the process and outcomes
• Present results at regional and national science and management meetings
• Other learning opportunities will be available related to decision science and climate adaptation

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Toni Morelli (tmorelli@usgs.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: December 2, 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 renewed upon recommendation of DOI and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.

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 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 be currently pursuing or have received a master's or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields (biology, ecology, or a relevant field of physical or social sciences). Degree must have been received within 5 years.

Preferred skills:

• A strong background in decision analysis.
• Experience or interest in facilitation.
• Excellent written and personal communication skills and demonstrated success in working closely with agencies on applied questions in wildlife or fisheries management.

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.