Climate Change Resource Assistant

Location: Cass Lake, MN or Remote

This 8-month program is a rigorous work and learning experience that provides exposure to the Forest Service, development and training opportunities, and the opportunity to make a lasting impression on generations to come. This position requires a detail-oriented and self-motivated individual. The internship will work with the USDA Forest Service to support the climate change information in natural resource management. The Resource Assistant (RA) would be fully engaged with the Chippewa Climate Change Response Team. This person would assist in moving climate projects forward. Some types of projects could be but are not limited to finding and applying for funding, installing small-scale solar on the forest, assisting in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure for the Chippewa National Forest, maintaining pollinator gardens, assisted migration, recycling programs, writing small-scale National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and more. The RA may also develop various materials to better present research results to natural resource professionals, decision-makers, partners (MN DNR, LLBO, TNC, etc.), and loggers. This position will be part of the climate Resource Assistants and specific climate training will be provided to all candidates.

Duties:

Co-lead the Climate Change Response Team

Support the team members and the projects they are working on

Organize and facilitate monthly climate change presentations.

Write grants and find funding for projects the Climate Change Response Team is working on (i.e., Small scale solar, recycling)

Educate natural resource professionals on the pros and cons of projects.

Build consensus and buy-in from teams across the forest

Collaborate effectively with scientists and natural resource managers to synthesize research information

Work with partners, building and strengthening relationships and creating agreements

Design, write, and produce a wide range of materials, including presentations, briefings, brochures, fact sheets, web-based media, case studies, and interactive activities to share research results with various audiences such as natural resource professionals, decision-makers, college, and high school levels, and loggers
 

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in natural resources, ecology, environmental science, or related fields.

Build and strengthen partnerships

Excellent at executing projects on the ground via conversations, contracts, and with grants, and agreements

Understanding scientific data

Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

Experience organizing, prioritizing, and managing multiple work projects and types of activities while meeting and managing deadlines.

Experience working with natural resource management or conservation organizations.

Ability to synthesize and summarize technical information for different audiences, including natural resources professionals and college and high school levels.

The ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team.

Proficiency in virtual meeting software is required.

Minimum Requirements

Completion of 2 years at an accredited university, an Associate's degree, or higher

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

Benefits:

Weekly stiped of $750/week (equivalent to $18.75/hr)

$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.

Questions? Email Rasheda Jackson rjackson@gyfoundation.org or SM.FS.R8recruiting@usda.gov