Southwestern Region Climate Change Resource Assistant

Location: Remote or in-person duty station negotiable

During this 32-week assistantship, the Resource Assistant (RA) will be an integral member of the regional climate change team, whose mission is to help the National Forests and Grasslands in the Southwestern Region plan for, and respond to, climate change-related effects and to ensure compliance with evolving climate change-related regulations and policies. The assistantship will offer many opportunities to make connections and work with Forest Service staff across the Southwestern Region, as well as with outside partner organizations. This position will be part of the climate Resource Assistants and specific climate training will be provided to all candidates.The RA will assist with a variety of routine, and occasionally complex, tasks in the rapidly evolving climate change and carbon space. During the assistantship, the RA will play a key role in helping implement/complete these regional initiatives:

1) the Climate Adaptation Strategy, 2) the Climate Action Plan, and 3) the Climate Action Tracker.

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Serving on the planning and facilitation team for forest-level Climate Adaptation Strategy workshops

Supporting forest- and district-level staff with tools and resources needed to comply with updated NEPA guidance and analysis requirements

Sharing information on all aspects of the Region's climate action plan and strategy

Coordinating among programs when interacting with regional office, forest, and partner staff

Providing various support functions including logistical support and documentation of in-person and virtual meetings and workshops

Depending upon the RA's interests and skills, the work could include science delivery such as developing briefing papers, online tools, and other media effective for applied science program delivery including internal (SharePoint) and external website content

Assisting with completion of the FY24 Climate Action Tracker survey

Other routine or complex tasks involve the climate and ecology programs as assigned

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Completion of a bachelor's degree, or higher in natural sciences (environmental science, ecology, biology, hydrology, geology, forestry, land use planning, etc.)

US citizenship or permanent residency

Resource Assistants must undergo a government background check if selected

The ideal Resource Assistant would have the following knowledge/skills/abilities:

College- and/or graduate-level coursework in climate change and/or environmental science, along with coursework in another field directly related to land management, such as ecology, biology, hydrology, geology, forestry, land use planning, etc.

Knowledge of: carbon dynamics, climate change patterns across the West and effects on natural resources along with interactions with other threats including drought, wildfire, and invasive species; and the NEPA process

Skills in: written and verbal communication; organization; synthesizing and summarizing information from various sources including input from staff, partners, and external experts

Ability to: work as part of a team and independently; creatively contribute to climate change-related needs and challenges

Additional skills desired: demonstration of leadership traits; passion for sustainability and climate change (both adaptation and mitigation); ability to navigate new/challenging processes; proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and GIS

Benefits:

• $750 weekly stipend
• $1,000 monthly housing allowance
• $2,750 available for Forest Service work travel, orientation, trainings, and professional development opportunities that align with the RA's duties and goals
• Option for health insurance coverage during full-term
• Direct Hire Authority Eligibility – after completing minimum of 960 hours, DHA status provides special non-competitive hiring status when applying for Forest Service positions.

Additional Information:

• The Southwestern Region Climate Change Resource Assistant will report to the Regional Climate Change Coordinator.
• Occasional travel may be required, not to exceed 20% time.

*This is a 1099 position. Persons paid on a 1099 basis are independent contractors and are self-employed. Independent contractors are required to pay all self-employment taxes (Social Security & Medicare) as well as income tax. Independent contractors generally do not receive any type of employment benefits from the client. For more information please refer to www.irs.gov or talk with a tax professional.