USDA-FS Economic Analysis of Southern California Fuel Break Network

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USDA Forest Service Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service's (USFS) Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW), located in Riverside, California.

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 fellowship program will relate to a project that is estimating the economic value of fuel breaks in southern California. Fuel breaks have been used extensively in southern California to help mitigate risks of extreme wildfire, and to protect communities. These investments are costly to begin and to maintain, necessitating the need for their economic value to be calculated. This project advances calculations for fuel breaks and will help generate a framework used by the agency moving forward. The project will consider:

• The effects of fuel breaks on fire behavior
• The effects of fuel breaks on suppression costs
• The impacts of fuel breaks on risk to structures and infrastructure
• The impacts of fuel breaks on ecosystem services such as water and carbon

Learning Objectives: The fellow will gain a deep understanding of economic valuation methodology, as well as hands-on knowledge of fuels management. The fellow will also be involved with individuals from the southern California National Forests and receive detailed learning regarding forest management in chaparral ecosystems. The fellow will gain vital experience in research from the perspective of a government agency.

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Matthew Sloggy (matthew.sloggy@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 2025.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year 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 monthly stipend will start at $6,250 per month ($75,000 per year) but may be increased with academic level (e.g. PhD). 

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 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.PSWRS@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 the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2024.

Preferred skills:

• Working knowledge of forest management, experience with large datasets, experience with economic valuation.

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2024 12:00:00 AM.