Fire Ecology Data Analysts (Scientist-in-Parks)

The US Wildland Fire Service / National Park Service – Alaska Fire Ecology programs will host four Scientists-in-Parks intern positions this coming winter season. The schedule of the positions is intended to attract members of the seasonal workforce in their off-season, or college students near completion of their degrees who may qualify for research credit. 

Positions will offer opportunity to work directly with fire ecologists to develop skills related to remote sensing, fire ecology and fire science using data collected over several decades on fire-affected environments, fire behavior, short- and long-term vegetation change related to fire management actions. Specifically, these internships may delve into applications of high-resolution imagery analyses, terrestrial lidar scan processing , and post-fire succession modeling to inform fire management questions. They will utilize common tools for statistical analysis (i.e., R, ArcPro), modernized data collection and display (i.e., ArcGIS online, Survey123, ArcGIS FieldMaps), and data management (i.e., FFI, Microsoft Access).

These experiences offers a chance to co-develop an independent project based on a balance of the candidates demonstrated abilities, interests, and emergent Fire Ecology program needs. For instance, the selectee may analyze an existing dataset to answer a question of interest using techniques described above. Creating engaging interpretive materials to communicate recent research results will also be encouraged.

Denali-based positions are 12 weeks long (January through April 2027) and include housing and a weekly stipend of $675. Fairbanks-based positions are 26 weeks long (October 2026 through April 2027) and do not include housing, so carry a weekly stipend of $775. Both positions include additional travel funds to help relocate and qualify for an AmeriCorps education award upon completed.