Social Science Analyst, USDA-Forest Service (Seattle, WA)
Deadline: September 24, 2010
The USDA-Forest Service will soon announce a GS9 social science analyst position in the Seattle Lab. The new person will be working with the Urban to Wildland Interactions Team and help support research related to the Green Cities Research Alliance in the Seattle Metro area.
Outreach Notice
Social Science Analyst, GS-0101-09
We are preparing to fill a permanent, full-time position with the Urban to Wildland Interactions (UWI) Team located at the Pacific Wildland Fires Science Lab in Seattle, WA.
About the position:
U.S. Forest Service Research division is a highly respected source of natural resources science and products. The comprehensive study of ecology and natural systems increasingly includes integrated research about people and society. The Forest Service now also includes cities and urban natural resources as a research focus. The UWI team is a group of social and economic scientists that study the interactions of people and natural resources. Team members are also collaborating with several other external partners on an exciting new urban environmental sustainability research effort called the Green Cites Research Alliance (GCRA). The social science analyst will provide outreach and research support for both the UWI Team and GCRA. As a member of our team, you will help develop multiple science programs and build the knowledge and practices needed to create more livable cities and sustainable environments. You will work directly with leaders in science, government, and the conservation non-profit sector. Information about UWI Team and GCRA can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/ruwit/ and http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/ruwit/gcra.
Duties:
The Social Science Analyst will plan, conduct, and assist the outreach efforts, meetings, and workshops involving scientists and collaborators, and record and report results of meetings and workshops. The analyst will also: conduct and summarize results of social science literature searches; design and maintain databases; conduct basic data and statistical analysis; prepare analytic reports, fact sheets, briefing papers, and posters; and prepare maps, figures, and diagrams for research reports and products (including web page content). The ability to work both independently and with others is essential.
Required Qualifications:
Graduate degree in a natural resource or environmental social science area such as urban planning, urban ecology, human dimensions of natural resources, environmental policy or economics, or related field. Knowledge and skills required include: (1) experience with social science theory and research methods, (2) ability to access scientific literature and prepare a literature review, (3) excellent writing and verbal communications skills, and (4) computer skills in data base management, spread sheets, presentation tools, and document layout.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate knowledge, skills, or experience in: (1) social statistics, (2) GIS or graphics design software, (3) writing or coauthoring research reports or publications, (4) work or research experience with environmental stewardship programs or organizations, forest or public land management agencies, or land trusts, and (5) experience in project work with diverse partners and audiences.
About Seattle and the Research Team . . .
Seattle has the best of both urban and wildland settings. It is an innovative, engaged, and multi-cultural city, located on Puget Sound between the Olympic Mts. to the west and Cascades to the east. The city offers easy access to three national parks (Mt. Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades), two national forests (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Olympic), Mt St Helens National Recreation Area, and many other outstanding state and local parks, forests, and natural areas. Salmon and orca whales are just two examples of the dramatic and iconic wildlife found in Puget Sound waters. The Urban to Wildland Interactions Team in Seattle studies people's uses, attitudes, and health and well-being as they relate to urban and wildland natural resources, and interactions between the two. UWI scientists study the social, psychological, and economic aspects of urban and wildland forests, recreation, environmental stewardship and urban greening, urban parks and open space, forest and watershed restoration, land use change, and many other topics.
If you are interested:
The vacancy announcement will be posted on the USAJobs website: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov.
If you are interested in the position and would like to receive a notification of the vacancy announcement, send your name and contact information with a brief statement of your qualifications to Dan Beshears, dbshears@fs.fed.us. If you have questions about the position, contact Dale Blahna, dblahna@fs.fed.us (phone: 206-732-7833). For the email subject line use: “Social Science Analyst Position”.
Please respond by September 24, 2010. The vacancy announcement will be posted in late September.
