We are seeking a postdoctoral research scientist with expertise in air quality models and satellite data to support innovative research improving smoke forecasting tools that support wildfire incidents throughout the United States. The successful applicant will be expected to do atmospheric and air quality modeling and to develop systems and analyses using satellite data to improve model performance in modeling smoke from wildland fires. The position is with the University of Washington (UW) School of Environmental and Forest Sciences and supports research done collaboratively with the US Forest Service (USFS).

Wildland fires emit a wide variety of trace gases and aerosol into the atmosphere which continue to undergo many chemical and physical transformations as well as interacting with atmospheric processes. The Postdoc will lead an effort applying satellite information to improve the simulation of wildland fire smoke in atmospheric and air quality (AQ) models such as the Community multi-scale air quality (CMAQ) modeling system, or Weather Research Forecasting (WRF)-Chem model, or WRF-SFire model on scales ranging from sub-kilometer to 12-km (regional to continental) scales. These models are being developed for use in a suite of air quality tools being used by fire incident command to support decisions on the fire as well as discussions with air regulatory and public health officials in the areas affected by smoke including influencing public health notifications. The postdoc will work on improving these air quality modeling systems and use satellite information (e.g. AOD, FRP, etc., from platforms such as GOES, VIIRS, and MODIS) to improve model initialization and model evaluation, as well as to develop fundamental scientific improvements to various model components.

The work will be conducted as part of multidisciplinary team, integrating data from many sources and disciplines such as fire ecology, atmospheric chemistry, fire weather, fire behavior and combustion, and field campaigns of land and airborne measurements. The basic existing modeling system is the BlueSky smoke modeling framework, which links together fire activity, mapped fuel loadings, fuel consumption and emission models, and algorithms for fire spread and vertical allocation emissions into dispersion and atmospheric chemistry models to produce smoke forecasts. BlueSky is applied to a variety of scales and regions to support wildfire incident command teams. The goal with this position is to use satellite information to improve the fundamental science and delivery of these forecast products – implementing them operationally, evaluating the system, doing case study analysis and improving individual components of the system such as plume rise, time allocation of emissions, or model initialization or nudging. The successful candidate will be adept at installing and setting up air quality modeling systems such as WRF-CHEM and CMAQ in a LINUX environment, processing emission inventory data, and analyzing large atmospheric and air quality datasets. This position also provides the opportunity to work with a wide user community involved in smoke and fire, nationally and internationally.

The position will provide an outstanding opportunity to apply a variety of field and analytical skills to perform original and applied research, present the results at scientific meetings and trainings, and publish first-author papers in peer-reviewed journals. The appointment is for one year renewable up to three years conditional upon performance. The stipend is negotiable depending upon experience and includes benefits. The position is located at the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory in Seattle, Washington, USA.

Click here for more information.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Prescribed Fire Specialist works as a member of Colorado’s Forest Restoration and Fire Program with The Nature Conservancy. The goal of this program is to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration in priority Colorado landscapes with partner organizations and agencies. This position reports to the Fire Manager and will work on all aspects of prescribed burn project planning and implementation including filling key leadership roles during fire operations. It will also work to build support and capacity to use prescribed fire through outreach, education, and field and classroom training initiatives with other non-profit organizations, local fire departments, and a variety of agencies at all levels. Other duties may include participation in wildfire suppression incidents, forestry, monitoring, station management, and other activities in support of Colorado’s Forest Restoration and Fire Program goals.

HOW TO APPLY

For more information about and to apply to this position, click HERE. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 10, 2017.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Restoration Technician advances the Colorado Chapter’s Forest and Fire Program by assisting with the implementation and monitoring of forest restoration projects aimed at reducing wildfire risks, protecting natural and human values, and enhancing landscape resilience to disturbance and climate change. Approximately 75% of the Restoration Technician’s time will be focused on the implementation of forest restoration projects on the ground, including fuels treatments and prescribed fire, under the direction of the Fire Program Manager. The remaining 25% of the Restoration Technician’s time will be dedicated to ecological monitoring of project effectiveness under the supervision of the program’s Landscape Ecologist.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Restoration Technician will support day-to-day activities of the Southern Rockies Wildland Fire Module. Activities may include the following: preparing fire lines; maintaining equipment; implementing both broadcast prescribed fire and pile burn projects; implementing sawyer projects; conducting pre- and post-treatment ecological monitoring to measure treatment effectiveness; other tasks as assigned. As part of the incumbent’s ongoing professional development, he/she will be responsible for keeping abreast of new burn techniques and equipment to enhance skills and maintain/grow professional fire certification credentials. In addition, they shall work to build and maintain relationships in the local forest restoration and fire community where the Conservancy works. This may include participation in wildland fire suppression activities in partnership with other non-profits, local fire departments, and local, state and federal agencies, either as a TNC employee, or as a volunteer or short term employee of the partner entity (such as an administratively-determined, short term federal employee).

HOW TO APPLY

For more information and to apply to this position, click HERE. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 10, 2017.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Fire Management Crew Leader travels extensively throughout Arkansas leading a crew responsible for preparation and implementation of prescribed fire at various nature preserves, private lands and management areas.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Fire Management Crew Leader is responsible for the day-to-day direction and leadership of a Fire Management Crew, including delegation of crewmember duties and coordination with supervisor and project managers. S/he assists with preparation and implementation of prescribed burns (including fireline construction and mop up), ecological and fire effects monitoring activities, and development of stewardship and prescribed burn plans as well as site fire management plans. S/he also directs and conducts routine preserve management activities when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire such as, but not limited to, fire planning and monitoring, invasive species control, planting and woody vegetation removal.

HOW TO APPLY

For more information about and to apply to this position, click HERE. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 30, 2017.

The Forest Stewards Guild is hiring a full-time position in New Mexico. The Southwest Program Assistant position will be based out of our Santa Fe office. The job will be grounded in active projects. The position will assist with a variety of projects including community forestry, fire adapted communities, prescribed fire, ecological and socioeconomic monitoring, and youth training initiatives.

The successful candidate will have a degree in forestry, ecology, natural resource management, or related field with professional experience, a valid driver’s license, excellent communication and written skills, and be able to work outdoors in remote locations. The Southwest Program Assistant will work on active projects related to our Forest Stewards Youth Corps program, forest restoration and prescribed fire projects, Fire Adapted Communities, Community Wildfire Protection Planning, and ecological and socioeconomic monitoring. Assignments will combine field work, writing, and engaging with colleagues and the public through meetings and outreach. The successful candidate will work well as a team, with collaborative groups, have excellent communication and presentation skills, have experience with data bases, websites, and mapping software. 

For additional information and to apply, click HERE.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Fire Management Technician will participate in preparing fire lines, maintaining equipment, post-burn monitoring and other tasks. As part of the incumbent’s ongoing professional development, he/she will be responsible for keeping abreast of new burn techniques and equipment to enhance skills and maintain/grow professional fire certification credentials. In addition, they shall work to build and maintain relationships in the professional fire community and in the local community where the Conservancy works. This may include participation in fire activities in partnership with other non-profits, local fire departments, and local, state and federal agencies.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Will perform other preserve management duties when conditions are not conducive to prescribed fire such as, but not limited to, fire planning and monitoring, invasive species control, planting and woody vegetation removal.
• Works in a high stress team environment.
• Works under close supervision.
• Ability to perform heavy physical work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

HOW TO APPLY

For more information about and to apply to this position, click HERE. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 30, 2017.

RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a tenure-track, academic-year position. The successful candidate will be expected to: 1) teach two upper-division undergraduate courses (forest economics and forest resources management) and 2) develop a leading research and/or extension program in forest resource management and/or economics that addresses critical issues at the state, national, and/or international levels. The balance of research and/or extension will be negotiated depending on candidate’s interest and background. Interdisciplinary collaboration across the department’s diverse natural resources faculty will be essential. Depending on the candidate’s interest, a courtesy appointment in the Department of Agricultural Economics is possible.

QUALIFICATIONS: A Ph.D. in natural resource management or economics, with a focus on forest resource issues. Candidates should have 1) previous experience successfully teaching university courses; 2) demonstrated scholarship in research and/or extension through publication in refereed journals, 3) demonstrated success or the potential to develop a vigorous, extramurally funded research and/or extension program, and 4) demonstrated success working on research teams addressing multi-disciplinary problems. Undergraduate or graduate training and/or work experience in forestry is strongly preferred.

For more information click here.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and FEMA Region IX are seeking proposals from regional partners in California that are interested in receiving technical assistance to build resilience to natural disasters.

View more information in this PDF >

The technical assistance will include:

•  A facilitated process based on ready-to-use tools on how to:
•  Engage project partners
• Assess vulnerability and develop mitigation strategies
• Take action and implement projects
• Measure progress
• Networking with state, federal, and peer experts on disaster resilience.

Your region may need help getting started with early steps like engaging a broad coalition of partners, or you may be ready to focus on taking action in the form of built projects and policy changes. EPA and FEMA are interested in working with regional partners at any stage in the process.

This is not a grant. This is technical assistance provided through an EPA contract used to hire consultants who are experts in community engagement, meeting facilitation, disaster resilience, and smart growth.

This process is different from related resilience efforts because it is focused on a larger geography across multiple jurisdictions and is designed to address a range of natural disasters. This assistance will be a short-term engagement with one on-site workshop. The EPA-hired consultant will provide a clear next steps memo about the process and how your region can implement disaster resilience actions. The EPA-FEMA team will also help your region consolidate and comply with federal and state planning requirements, potentially provide funding support, and help establish lasting partnerships with state and federal agencies to support your regional action plan.

In addition, this process will help EPA and FEMA refine our materials, which will be used in other parts of California and in other states across the country.

EPA and FEMA are requesting letters of interest be submitted by June 30. Eligible entities include multiple jurisdictions that are working together, as well regional organizations that operate at a multi-state, multi-county, or multi-city/town scale. Please see the attached Request for Letters of Interest for more details about the project and how to prepare a letter of interest.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Abby Hall at EPA: hall.abby@epa.gov, (415) 972-3384.

The goal of this survey is to better understand how wildfire practitioners across the Western United States are implementing the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy. Your responses will be used to provide guidance to the Western Region. All responses are confidential. If you have any questions, or would like a summary of the findings, please contact Tamara Wall at tamara.wall@dri.edu.

Click here to participate in this survey.

Click here for a list of JFSP funded projects.

The complexity and importance of wildland fire science, management, and decision-making is at an all-time high across our Nation and worldwide. To meet current and future challenges of workforce development, analysis, and sound decision-making, AFE has developed a process for recognizing academic programs which prepare future fire professionals. Our overarching goal is to support fire ecology and ecologically-based fire management while advancing fire science and its application.

With the many wildland fire programs across the nation, certified programs should attract more students into their programs. Graduating students from and AFE Certified program will qualify for an expedited application process to become an AFE Certified Wildland Fire Manager, Ecologist, or Professional. Recognized programs will also be listed on the AFE website, in our newsletter, and in other AFE promotional materials.

Recognized levels Programs can be Certified (good for 5 years) or Candidate (review and update within 3 to 6 years). Each program will get clear feedback from AFE about ways to strengthen their program to meet the goals of certification.

Applications are due annually on July 1 and decision notifications are given by January 1. The application form is available at the bottom of this AFE page.

The Georgia Forestry Commission is seeking applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Georgia Forestry Commission. The Director is responsible for supervision of 650+ personnel with an annual operating budget of more than $60 million. In addition, the Director serves as administrative officer and executive secretary of the Commission and represents the Commission in other forestry related organizations.

Candidates for this position should possess the following:

• Ability to develop and successfully co mmunicate a vision of leadership in establishing and maintaining a successful top level forestry organization;
• Ability to work effectively with legislative and executive branches of state government;
• Demonstrated leadership and communication skills to work effectively with forest landowners, industry, the environmental education community, and a wide range of natural resource agencies and NGO partners;
• Demonstrated experience with budgetary development and management; and
• A Bachelor of Science degree in forestry or significant experience in forest management. A degree in forestry is not required.

For more information click here.

The School of Forestry at Northern Arizona University has one 3-year Ph.D. research assistantship available to work on the economics, logistics and sustainability of woody biomass feedstock harvested from the fuels-reduction treatments in ponderosa pine and warm-dry mixed conifer forests of the southern Rocky Mountains. This student will work on projects designed to improve the viability and adoption of biomass-based energy and products production and to provide a better understanding of the economic implications of utilizing small-diameter woody biomass harvested from the treatments to generate bioenergy and bioproducts in the southwestern region.

For more information visit the full announcement here.

OPENING DAY May 27th:

Fires of Change & Landscapes of Life & Death at 516 ARTS, 516 Central Ave SW
Albuquerque. Download a brochure for more events here.

3:30pm: Talk with Artists & Scientists
5-6pm: Friends of 516 ARTS Preview
6-8pm: Public Reception

Visit the 516 ARTS website.
For a history of the project, visit the SWFSC website.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Coordinates, develops, plans, communicates, makes recommendations for, and markets: programs, events, and activities related to the Center for Environmental Studies (CES) and Austin College Thinking Green (ACTG). Coordinates the activities of ACTG and the Student Sustainability Fund (SSF) by supervising and advising student leaders and members. Assists with writing and administering program grants, greenhouse gas inventories, sustainability reporting, and all aspects of Sneed Prairie Restoration experiment. Trains, directs, and monitors student volunteers/workers.

To view the full announcement, click HERE.

You are invited to participate in the continuing evaluation of the Joint Fire Science Program’s Fire Science Exchange Network. This web-based survey focuses on the communication and application of fire science research results and resources. Sponsors are specifically interested in knowing about your opinions and experiences with the Fire Science Exchange in your region. This evaluation project is based at the University of Nevada, Reno and includes all of the Fire Science Exchanges across the United States. Your responses to the questions will be used to help the JFSP Fire Science Exchange Network address your fire science information needs and ultimately enhance fire science delivery.

The survey will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. JFSP realizes that some of you may have completed a version of this survey in the past. Continued participation of prior respondents and participation from new respondents is essential in helping the JFSP Fire Science Exchanges progress toward their goals. Your participation in this study is voluntary, and all of your responses will remain completely confidential. Please click on the following link or copy and paste the link into your web browser:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JFSP2017Evaluation

If you have any questions or problems accessing the survey, please contact Evaluation Coordinator Bret Davis at bretd@unr.edu telephone (775) 784-6637. During the next four weeks, you will receive two follow-up emails regarding your invitation to participate in this survey.

Thank you for your time and involvement in helping the JFSP to learn more about how to improve fire science delivery and communication in your region.

Bill Evans, Ph.D., Professor of and Human Development and Education, University of Nevada, Reno (wevans@unr.edu)

Loretta Singletary, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, Department of Economics; Interdisciplinary Outreach Liaison, Cooperative Extension, University of Nevada, Reno (singletaryl@unr.edu)

Bret Davis, Ph.D., Research and Evaluation Specialist, Human Development and Family Studies, University of Nevada, Reno (bretd@unr.edu)

Chris Copp, MA, Doctoral Student, Interdisciplinary Social Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno (christopherjcopp@gmail.com)

Challenge Summary:

Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies are interested in new ways to monitor air quality during fire events to better protect public health. Air quality managers and public health officials have limited access to accurate information on ground-level air pollution levels in the vicinity of wildland fires, making it difficult to provide appropriate strategies to minimize smoke exposure. Most air pollution monitoring equipment is large, not easily transportable, and complex to operate. Today, emerging technologies – including miniaturized direct-reading sensors, compact/powerful microprocessors, and wireless data communications – offer the opportunity to develop new systems to quickly gather and communicate air pollution data.

Wild fires are increasingly common events that produce significant air pollution, posing health risks to first responders, residents in nearby areas, and downwind communities. Also, wild fires are increasing in frequency and intensity, and the fire season is growing longer.  Prescribed fires, which are used to manage ecosystems or reduce risk of wild fires, are typically managed to minimize downwind impacts on populated areas; however, people in close proximity may still be exposed to smoke.  The description “wildland fires” refers to both wild and prescribed fires.

This challenge seeks a field-ready prototype system capable of measuring constituents of smoke, including particulates, carbon monoxide, ozone, and carbon dioxide, over the wide range of levels expected during wildland fires. The prototype system should be accurate, light-weight, easy to operate, and capable of wireless data transmission, so that first responders and nearby communities have access to timely information about local air quality conditions during wildland fire events.

For more information, click HERE.

Job Description:

Summary:

This is a nine-month, tenure-track, academic appointment with additional three-month summer employment available and expected, the latter supported primarily from research grant funding. Initial summer support will be available.          

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Teach (50%) undergraduate courses such as Forest Fire Ecology, Forest Pests and Protection, Dendrology, and Natural Resources Management, as well as graduate courses in the area of expertise.
• Conduct scholarly research (40%) in forest fire ecology, management, and health.
• Service (10%) to the department, university, and community by serving on committees, advising students, participating in recruitment activities and in stakeholder outreach.
• Supervise master and doctoral level graduate students and serve on graduate student committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

For more information, click HERE.