USDA-FS Preparation and Analysis of Environmental Samples Internship

*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 Northern Research Station located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

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 chemistry laboratory in the Grand Rapids office field office supports studies of water, forest ecology, soil science, and aquatic ecology. The office is part of the Research and Development program of the Northern Research Station (NRS) of the USDA Forest Service. The primary opportunity of the fellows will be to participate in the preparation of samples for chemical analysis and learn a range of skills associated with a chemistry laboratory. Samples may be soils, sediments, plant tissues, or water collected from studies. In addition to research of NRS scientists, the laboratory supports analysis for the NRS Forest Inventory and Analysis Program, the Air Resource Monitoring Program, other cooperating federal agencies, and academic partners.

The skills level is consistent with beginning undergraduate or technical training programs. The opportunity will include logging and cataloging of incoming samples, processing and preparing samples for analysis and entering of data produced during analysis. A familiarity with spreadsheets for later data analysis is preferred but not required. Fellows arriving with more advanced skills and experience with chemical analysis may be provided the opportunity to learn about instrument calibration, operation, and data quality control/quality assurance procedures, or operate analytical instruments for the measurement for basic inorganic solutes/constituents and nutrients. 

Fellows will collaborate with the laboratory manager (chemist) and physical sciences technician, with mentoring by a hydrologist/project leader (supervisor of all staff within the local research unit).

Learning Objectives: Specific training and personal protective equipment are provided. 

• Gain experience with entry-level tasks in an analytical chemistry laboratory.
• Gain knowledge of the work environment in a general office setting and an analytical chemistry laboratory.
• Gain experience with preparation of soil samples from the point of submission through readiness for analysis on analytical instruments.
• Gain familiarity with science support positions in Forest Service Research and Development

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Stephen Sebestyen (stephen.sebestyen@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

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

Appointment Length: The appointment length may be extended upon recommendation of USFS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is part 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.NRS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received an associate's, or bachelor's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years or is currently pursuing.

Preferred skills:

• Attention to detail
• Good interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to follow and adhere to protocols
• Willing to be in a chemistry laboratory and associated sample preparatory rooms.
• Willingness to perform research that requires moderate physical exertion.
• Willing to take any required Forest Service trainings.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.