USDA-FS Air Quality Biomonitoring Data Science

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USDA Forest Service Office/Lab and Location: A fellowship opportunity is available with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS) located in Washington, D.C.  Appointees may participate remotely or on site (USDA-FS headquarters in Washington, DC).  This project is a collaboration between the US Forest Service Air Resource Management Program, US Forest Service Research & Development Forest Inventory & Analysis Program, the National Park Service Air Resources Division, and Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

At the heart of the USDA Forest Service’s mission is their purpose. Everything they do is intended to help sustain forests and grasslands for present and future generations. Why? Because their stewardship work supports nature in sustaining life. This is the purpose that drives the agency’s mission and motivates their work across the agency. It’s been there from the agency’s very beginning, and it still drives them. To advance the mission and serve their purpose, the USDA Forest Service balances the short and long-term needs of people and nature by: working in collaboration with communities and our partners; providing access to resources and experiences that promote economic, ecological, and social vitality; connecting people to the land and one another; and delivering world-class science, technology and land management.

Research Project: The overall project goal is to increase accessibility of existing data concerning air quality and lichens on federal lands by federal agencies, universities, and the public.  Under guidance of the mentor, you will gain experience with technical aspects of this project, including moving a current database on-line, preparing on-line data entry forms, modernizing and redesigning the existing website, and developing program data query tools. This project will provide a learning opportunity for you to collaborate with university and federal scientists conducting research in the field of air pollution and help in science delivery.

Learning Objectives: Under guidance of the mentor, the participant will have the opportunity to learn to:

• apply digital scientific data, display, and analysis tools
• detail steps in hosting and building a website, on-line database and data entry forms
• collect, archive, analyze, and share biological information relevant to understanding air pollution and climate change effects on natural ecosystems using lichen indicators of pollution, biodiversity and forest health.

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Linda Geiser (linda.geiser@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: July 2026.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for four weeks but may be extended upon recommendation of USDA Forest Service and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is part time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $30,000 – $70,000 annually.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) 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 USDA Forest Service. Participants do not become employees of USDA, USDA Forest Service, 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 ORISE.USFS.WO@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the one of the relevant fields.

Preferred skills:

• coursework in plant biology and/or environmental science
• familiarity with biological survey data including location coordinates, habitat descriptions, scientific taxonomy, biodiversity metrics, climate and deposition data, unit boundaries, chemical analysis data, scientific units.
• web design, database management, and building and updating data query tools.
• Arc GIS for retrieving data from coverages to update the database; familiarity with Story Maps; skills in designing data queries using Tableau.

Stipend$30,000.00 – $70,000.00 YearlyPoint of ContactMicheleEligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00