*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 (FS) within the Forest Service Washington Office. Location varies.

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.

The mission of the Caribbean Climate Hub is to address climate change as one of the pressing issues of our time. The changes in the climate such as higher ocean temperature, severe droughts among other issues are affecting social and ecological systems directly and indirectly. Key needs to address these issues in the region include increasing climate awareness; understanding specific climate risks and vulnerabilities; reducing GHG emissions; learning from climate disasters to improve planning, preparation, response, and recovery; and increasing climate resiliency through risk mitigation, climate adaptation, and building back better following climate disasters. 

Research Project: The outreach and education fellowship opportunity contributes to the Caribbean Climate Hub science delivery mission. The opportunity plays a role in disseminating information on climate-smart adaptation and mitigation practices to farmers, communities, agency partners, and technical services personnel across the Caribbean region (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands).  The participant will collaborate with the team at the USDA Caribbean Climate Hub to offer training opportunities using the Climate Adaptation Guide for Tropical Forestry and Agriculture, sharing tools and information via information tables and presentations at workshops, and introducing potential users to the Hub's Climate Literacy Education Modules, Farm Planning Tool, Agricultural Statistics Tool, and other Hub developed outreach products. The participant will learn to organize and host activities, practice public speaking, and gain team and leadership skills.

Learning Objectives: The participant will:

• Help in delivering engaging educational content on climate change adaptation strategies for farmers and agricultural stakeholders.
• Utilize various communication channels (workshops, webinars, social media, fairs) to promote the Caribbean Climate Hub's resources and tools.
• Connect with NGOs, community organizations, and government agencies to expand the Hub's reach.
• Organize and help with logistics for workshops, field days, and other outreach events.
• Conduct farm visits to understand challenges faced by farmers and tailor outreach efforts accordingly.
• Contribute to the development and curation of social media content related to climate change and the Hub's activities.
• Collaborate with the science communication cohort in the Hub to manage the official and national website content.
• Track and analyze data on outreach program effectiveness and recommend improvements.

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is William Gould (william.a.gould@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

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

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 11 months but may be extended upon recommendation of USDA Forest Service 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. 

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 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 master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (Science Education, Environmental Education, Agriculture Extension or Education, Communication, Agronomy, Environment, Agriculture Extension, Social Sciences, or a related field). Degree must have been received within the past five years or be currently pursing.

Preferred skills:

• Experience in science communication or environmental outreach.
• Ability to develop and deliver engaging educational content for diverse audiences.
• Experience in event planning and logistics management.
• Written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Cultural competency and experience working with diverse communities.
• Proficiency in social media platforms and content creation tools.
• Ability to prioritize tasks