*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USFS Office/Lab and Location: A fellowship opportunity is available with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Human Dimensions Program in the Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) located in Missoula, Montana. The appointment can start virtually, but once facilities reopen, it is preferred that the participant report to the facility.

Research Project: In collaboration with RMRS and Northern Plains Climate Hub team members, and OSC staff, the Applied Rangeland Science Research Fellow will facilitate science-management partnerships to develop analysis templates and guidance for managers to automate work flows supporting NEPA and planning activities. This exciting opportunity seeks discover key questions and data gaps that range managers struggle with on a daily basis while identifying new technologies, such as remote sensing databases, that can help fill these gaps. Under guidance of the Human Dimensions Program Rangeland Specialist (Dr. Matt Reeves) the Fellow will primarily collaborate with public land managers and other USFS scientists to lead co-development of the work flows and analysis protocols to leverage new technologies to answer the key questions. Thus, this opportunity requires a good bit of social networking and a willingness to collaborate with teams of people to reach our goals. This will help ensure the resultant products and services are directly impactful and will save managers a lot of time. Additionally, this process will help policy makers and land managers understand the effects of climate variability and change on natural resources, and foster adaptive land-management practices. The Fellow will be advised on how to lead the project and collaborate with managers with an intense level of focus on collaboration with managers in addition to assembling technical information, perform analyses, contribute to technical reports, and provide assistance or leadership in writing peer-reviewed journal papers.

A key role for the participant will be to collaborate with the team to build effective relationships with information users at local, regional and national levels. This fellowship will play a critical role in bridging the gap between science and land management by facilitating development of accessible data and reports emanating from templates This research will help promote the use of the best available science in natural resource management in the western U.S.

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn about natural resource management and planning issues in the West while helping integrate modern technology into national forest planning and projects
• Gain first-hand knowledge of Forest Service Research & Development science and National Forest System management
• Understand and facilitate interactions at the intersection between science and land management. This attribute is a key component of the project for the successful candidate as they will collaborate one on one with managers to determine the questions and work flows needed to answer them.
• Learn about the cutting edge of technologies for monitoring rangelands including such things as spatially explicit data describing climate, vegetation performance, and land degradation

The Fellow will have the opportunity to interact with scientists in Forest Service research stations, and managers in the National Forest System. The Fellow may explore options for future job or educational opportunities and take advantage of additional training opportunities.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 2022.  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 an additional year upon recommendation of USFS 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. An annual stipend of $65,000 will be provided. A health insurance allowance of $400 and a travel/training allowance will also be provided. Moving and housing allowances may be provided depending on individual circumstances.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

COVID-19 Requirements: The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

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 USFS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, USFS, 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.