Urban & Community Forest Health Specialist RA – ONSITE – Pacific Northwest and Alaska Regions; State, Private & Tribal Forestry; Urban & Community Forestry

Start/End Dates: July 7, 2024 – March 7, 2025

Compensation: $650 per week + $1000 monthly for housing

Medical Insurance provided upon request

Application Due: April 26, 2024

The Resource Assistants Program seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers. You must be:

• a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• a college graduate.

* A personal vehicle is required for this position. 

Position Description: 

The urban & community forest health specialist will be an interdisciplinary staff position on the State, Private & Tribal Forestry team for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska Regions. This position will help provide technical assistance and support for urban forest health-related issues such as climate-resiliency, invasive species, pests, and diseases impacting urban forests and community watersheds. This position will play an important role supporting a wide variety of urban & community forestry projects, climate resiliency, as well as other forest health-related issues, many of which focus on disadvantaged communities and help advance agency priorities under the Equity Action Plan.

Responsibilities:

• The urban & community forest health specialist is an interdisciplinary staff position on the State, Private & Tribal Forestry team for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska Regions.
• This position will help provide technical assistance and support for urban forest health-related issues such as climate-resiliency, invasive species, pests, and diseases impacting urban forests and community watersheds.
• This position will work closely with internal Forest Service teams and external partners and stakeholders, including working groups, councils, and municipalities.
• Potential projects could include developing and sharing resources, best practices, and training related to urban forest health, pest management, and climate-adapted tree and plant species.

Qualifications:

Major studies relevant to this position include a Master’s degree (preferred) or Bachelor’s degree with appropriate coursework in fields such as Urban Forestry, Entomology, Pathology, Forestry, and Environmental Studies.

• Specialized experience in urban forest health-related issues such as climate-resiliency, invasive species, pests, and diseases impacting urban forests and community watersheds. Ideal candidates may have different majors, but we prioritize individuals with specific coursework and relevant work experience
• Possess strong writing and communication skills
• Be comfortable working in both collaborative, team environments and independently, demonstrating initiative to complete tasks with minimal supervision
• Outgoing and comfortable working with people, particularly in outreach and engagement efforts
• Committed to advancing equity and environmental justice

Direct Hire Authority (DHA)

All RAP interns receive Direct Hire Authority (DHA) at the successful conclusion of their internship. DHA status enables an agency to hire, after public notice is given, any qualified applicant. A DHA expedites hiring by eliminating competitive rating and ranking, veterans’ preference, and “rule of three” procedures. For more information, please click HERE.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.