Sustainable Operations Program Specialist

Location: Washington Office - VIRTUAL

This 26-week Assistantship program is a rigorous work and learning experience that provides exposure to the Forest Service, development and training opportunities, and the opportunity to work on one of the most important issues of our time, climate change. The Office of Sustainability and Climate (OSC) supports the entire Forest Service in becoming a climate-positive organization. Through the climate adaptation, carbon, data and tools and sustainable operations teams, OSC works to serve and advise the organization on best practices, initiatives, and information that further climate and sustainability goals. Addressing the agency's environmental footprint and reducing our consumption are ways that the Forest Service tries to mitigate our contributions to climate change.

The Sustainable Operations Greening Fire Resource Assistant will be part of the Greening Fire Program and will learn about the burgeoning field of sustainable operations in wildfire incidents. This position will be part of the climate Resource Assistants and specific climate training will be provided to all candidates. They will be part of a diverse team that works on a variety of technical STEM field activities, policy research, and outreach and communications activities. This Resource Assistant will help create and implement greening fire-related projects to help us reduce our environmental footprint.

This position requires a self-motivated, creative and detail-oriented individual that can help our team better understand sustainable operations trends and adoption of best practices.

Duties: Based on the skillset of the selected candidate the focus of this Assistantship could include:

Learn about wildland fire operations and interagency efforts to promote sustainable incident operations through the Greening Fire Program;

Attend working group meetings related to reducing greenhouse gases, waste, and energy use, as well as water conservation, green procurement, and sustainability leadership and education;

Help to organize and analyze data related to the Greening Fire program

Support various greening fire projects (see attached project and skills matrix), including general investigation of related data/topics/issues/policies/opportunities to drive sustainable outcomes.

Synthesize information into user-friendly content that motivates individuals to engage in the greening fire program.

Priority focus areas: mobile water treatment technologies and green purchasing program

Travel is not required. Travel opportunities may arise depending on the RA's skills and interests.

Qualifications:
The Resource Assistant should possess the following:

Interest in sustainable operations.

Strong organizational skills

Strong data analysis skills.

Excellent written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.

A willingness to learn new skills.

A bachelor's degree in engineering, business, environmental sciences or natural resources.

Strong knowledge and experience working with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Additional specialized knowledge that would be desirable:

Degree focus of engineering, business, environmental sciences, or natural resources

Knowledge of net zero energy/emissions/waste/water.

Knowledge of GIS and/or other data visualization software.

Technical engineering background in water systems

Knowledge and experience working with Adobe suite products

Minimum Requirements

Completion of 4 years at an accredited university, a bachelor's degree, or higher

US citizenship or permanent residency. RAs must undergo a government background check if selected.

Interest in sustainable operations.

Benefits:

$750/ week

$1,000/month Housing Stipend

Up to $2,750 available for Forest Service work travel, orientation, trainings, professional development opportunities that align with RA role and goals

Direct Hire Authority Eligibility – after completing minimum of 960 hours, DHA status provides special non-competitive hiring status when applying for Forest Service positions

Option for health insurance coverage during full-term

*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.