USDA-FS Post-Disturbance Forest Dynamics Field Fellowship
Application Deadline
6/19/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description
*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 Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS) located in Wenatchee, Washington.
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 PNW Research Station’s mission is to generate and communicate knowledge to help people make informed choices about natural resource management and sustainability. Research priorities include generating science to 1) mitigate risks to people, property, and forests, 2) manage for forest resilience and ecosystem services, and 3) monitor and predict land stewardship and disturbance impacts. Wenatchee Forestry Sciences Laboratory scientists have a long history of conducting multidisciplinary research in the fields of dry forest restoration, fire ecology, and post-fire forest management.
Research Project: Under the guidance of a mentor, the fellow will collaborate with Forest Service scientists and other ORISE fellows conducting field sampling for research projects investigating changes in forest vegetation and coarse woody debris following wildfires and fuel reduction treatments. Under the guidance of a mentor, the fellow will have opportunities to measure forest vegetation and coarse woody debris in the field while learning about the scientific process and field sampling methods. The fellow will also learn to identify common plant species of the interior Pacific Northwest, collect and process increment cores for tree-ring analyses, and measure forest fuels. The fellowship is based out of Wenatchee, WA, and field research will be primarily on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in north-central Washington State. This fellowship experience primarily takes place in field sites. The fellow will be in remote locations all day, camping, and staying in lodging.
Learning Objectives: The participant will have the opportunity to:
- Learn field-based research methods for assessing forest vegetation and coarse woody debris following wildfires and fuel reduction treatments.
- Learn to measure forest vegetation, forest fuels, and coarse woody debris using standardized ecological sampling protocols.
- Learn to identify common plant species of the interior Pacific Northwest and understand their ecological roles.
- Learn to collect, process, and analyze increment cores for tree-ring studies and forest growth assessments.
- Learn the scientific process from study design through data collection and interpretation in applied forest research.
- Learn to conduct extended field research in remote environments, building skills in collaboration, logistics, and outdoor research operations.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is David Peterson (David.Peterson1@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for four months but may be extended upon recommendation of USDA Forest Service and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The expectation is full time.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $3,500 - $4,000 monthly. Travel costs will be covered through post-travel reimbursement of lodging and/or per diem (fixed daily rate).
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.PNWRS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The fellow should have received or be currently pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree in a natural resources field (preferably forestry, natural resources, plant sciences, ecology, environmental sciences, biology, or similar).
Preferred skills:
- Experience conducting field surveys in forested or rangeland ecosystems
- Experience with forestry field measurements, including forest structure and fuels
- Ability to identify common forest trees and understory plants in the Pacific Northwest
- Ability to navigate and research safely in rough terrain under varying weather conditions
- Knowledge of community or ecosystem ecology, disturbance ecology, and/or forestry
- Organizational skills and attention to detail
Stipend
$3,500.00 – $4,000.00 Monthly
Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, or Master's Degree.