USGS Climate Portfolio and Planning Fellowship

USGS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the USGS Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) network, specifically the regional North Central CASC (NC CASC) located in Boulder, Colorado.

Regional CASCs support and produce science to inform on-the-ground climate adaptation planning by natural and cultural resource managers. The selected candidate can report remotely however, preference will be given to candidates located in, or willing to relocate to, Colorado. The fellowship will likely entail travel to or within the Denver metro area. 

The USGS mission is to monitor, analyze, and predict current and evolving dynamics of complex human and natural Earth-system interactions and to deliver actionable intelligence at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers. As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides science about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. 

Research Project: The objectives for this fellowship are to 1) document and elucidate the core planning processes of target federal resource management agencies to inform the provision of climate adaptation science support, and 2) assess the actionability of funded projects in the NC CASC portfolio and their ability to meet management partner needs. 

The regional CASCs are tasked with meeting the climate impacts and adaptation science needs of Department of the Interior bureaus and supporting their climate-related planning and decision-making efforts. These bureaus include, but are not limited to, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management. The ORISE Fellow will conduct research activities that support the CASC mission by documenting each bureau’s core planning processes and identifying strategic opportunities to integrate scientific information, data, and tools. 

Since 2011, the NC CASC has funded climate adaptation research projects; understanding the impact of this investment is central to the CASC mission of delivering actionable science to resource managers. The ORISE fellow will implement a portfolio evaluation approach to assess the actionability of previously funded projects. Additionally, the outcomes of the evaluation may be used to inform investments in future projects and activities. 

Under the guidance of a mentor, specific activities include, but are not limited to: 

• Collaborate regularly with USGS NC CASC staff and intermittently with other regional and national CASC staff to understand the scope of the USGS CASC mission 
• Document the various planning processes that identified Department of the Interior agencies utilize (e.g. National Park Service Resource Stewardship Strategies), provide detailed analysis of each process, and  interview with key contacts at each agency to better understand internal planning and decision-making dynamics  
• Collect interview data, qualitatively code interview transcripts, and data analysis 
• Systematically apply evaluation methods to individual projects funded by NC CASC to understand the collective impact of the NC CASC science portfolio 
• Utilize the results of the portfolio evaluation to inform potential revisions to the NC CASC Strategic Science Plan 

Learning Objectives: The selected participant will have the opportunity to refine their knowledge of global change sciences, better understand the needs of the natural resource management community, engage with federal and non-federal partners, be a part of the implementation of portfolio evaluation methodologies, and gain valuable experience being a part of a partnership-driven program within a federal science agency. 

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Stefan Tangen (stangen@usgs.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s). 

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: November 3, 2025. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of DOI and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate. The anticipated stipend range is $52,205 - $82,440 annually.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

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 USGS. Participants do not become employees of USGS, 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: If you have questions about the application process please email USGS@orau.org  and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Salary : $52,205 - $82,440