USFS Science Communications and Education
*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
USFS Office/Lab and Location: A research training opportunity is available at the USDA Forest Service National Headquarters located in Washington, DC. The appointment will begin remotely, with the possibility to relocate to Washington, D.C. once COVID restrictions are lifted.
Research Project: President Biden's Climate Crisis Executive Order 14008 Section 219 directs that federal "...agencies shall make achieving environmental justice part of their missions by developing programs, policies, and activities to address the disproportionately high and adverse human health, environmental, climate-related and other cumulative impacts on disadvantaged communities...”. This appointment provides an exciting opportunity to assist Forest Service national air staff, regional air quality specialists, and research scientists in the development of on-line materials for students, educators, community organizations, and citizen scientists across the United States. The focus will be on empowering youth and citizens in air quality disadvantaged communities to monitor and assess air pollution. The participant's efforts will foster a science-based public awareness of air pollution composition, threats, and steps that can be taken to protect the health of people and nature. Several on-site pilot studies are planned to allow testing of web-based materials.
Learning Objectives:
- Learning from Forest Service air specialists and research scientists about air quality and how to monitor it.
- Learning about the Forest Service as an example of a federal agency, for example: how we are organized and how we get things done at national, regional, and local levels; the underlying laws that guide our activities particularly in air resource management; and roles played by our staff especially our specialists and research scientists in air resource management, our public affairs and communications specialists, and our partnership, recreation, and wilderness programs.
- Learning how to build relationships and develop appropriate training materials for empowering students and community citizen scientists to monitor and understand air pollution.
- Opportunity to build career network of relationships, not only within the USFS but also within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), various state-level air agencies, and potentially the Department of State.
Mentor(s): The mentors for this opportunity are Linda Geiser (linda.geiser@usda.gov) and Karen Dillman (karen.dillman@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentors.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 2021. 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 an additional year upon recommendation of USFS and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is part-time (20 hours per week).
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 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.
Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email USForestService@orise.orau.gov and include the reference code for this opportunity.