USFS Scientific Visual Communications Opportunity

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USFS Office/Lab and Location: A Scientific Visual Communications opportunity is currently available with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

At the heart of the U.S. 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 U.S. 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.

The IITF mission is to develop and disseminate scientifically based knowledge that contributes to the conservation of forests, wildlife, and watersheds of the American tropics in the context of environmental change. Current research areas include disturbance ecology, climate change, forest ecosystem services, tropical urban systems as social-ecological-technological systems, and forest policy and governance.

Research Project: The ORISE participant will be mentored by IITF Director Grizelle Gonzalez and will contribute to advancing the mission of the Institute through the development of visual scientific communications and other outreach efforts involving IITF clients, partners, and stakeholders. The participant will collaborate closely with IITF Director, as well as other scientists and staff to plan and create visual, graphic, and video elements for Institute science communications and delivery across a range of topics and projects, sharing the mission, research, activities, and outputs of the Institute and associated agency and department goals and strategies. The participant will have opportunities to gain skills in scientific communications and across a range of scientific disciplines, while contributing to the Institute’s mission, goals, and programs, as well as agency and department goals and priorities.

Learning Objectives: A range of outputs and products is expected to result from this educational opportunity, including graphic and other visual products and communications related to the Institute’s annual reporting, science delivery products, technical reports, and social media. It is expected that the participant also will gain experience in developing visual communications related to tropical forests and associated social-ecological systems and processes and hone skills important to science communications and delivery.

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Grizelle Gonzalez (Grizelle.gonzalez@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 2024.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for six months, but may be extended 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. The current stipend provided for this opportunity is $4,000/month plus a health insurance allowance. 

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

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 ORISE.USFS.WO@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g. Graphic Design, Communications, Science Writing, Graphics and Visualization or Networks and Communications), or be currently pursuing one of the degrees with completion before December 31, 2025. Degree must have been received within the past eight years.

Candidates who have experience and knowledge in Magazine and Book Graphic Design are encouraged to apply.

Preferred skills:

• Ability to handle and use graphic design programs.
• Writing, design and photography skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with members of the Institute and to be able to collect feedback and information from various units.