Deadline: Mon, 10/31/2022 - 12:00pm Employer: USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station Job Field: Forestry Other Job Type: Full Time Location: North Carolina Location Detail: Research Triangle Park, NC Job Description: The incumbent will lead and collaborate in research and development activities. The incumbent has broad latitude to identify research topics and implement studies, and is expected to be a productive, self-directed participant in multidisciplinary, team-oriented research projects. Research studies will provide opportunities to collaborate with scientists in various organizations including government, academia, non-profits, and industry. Research may focus on (2) forest policies, programs and taxes and (4) forest ecosystem service economics and policy. Examples of research opportunities in the area of forest policies, programs and taxes include: (1) compare programs, markets, policies, regulations, and taxes across programmatic and administrative boundaries; (2) quantify how emerging markets, incentives, or tax provisions at the local, state, and national level affect forest management and the income earned by forest landowners; (3) identify and measure how policies and programs affect land use choices, forest management, and forest ownership; (4) understand how organizations, ranging from family forest owners, to timber investment management organizations (TIMOs), to environmental non-profits, to large public land-use agencies, make and implement decisions; and (5) describe how organizational structure and history impacts on-the-ground decisions. Examples in the area of forest ecosystem service economics and policy include: (1) explore markets and payment mechanisms for production of forest-based ecosystem services such as carbon, water, and hazardous fuels management; (2) compare business and investment opportunities and legal implications; and (3) measure effects of alternative policies affecting the quantity and quality of ecosystem goods and services produced by forests, at varying spatial scales. Qualifications: The Forest Economics and Policy Research Work Unit seeks a qualified researcher and future leader in the area of forest business administration and conservation finance. The incumbent will need skills in both forest resource management and financial analysis/investment administration. The incumbent will be expected to initiate work in this field immediately, so previous relevant knowledge, experience, and demonstrated interest related to research in one or more topics in the field are essential. Such topics include, but are not limited to: mitigation and conservation banking; conservation easements; carbon and water rights and credit trading; forest taxation and accounting; environmental, social, and governance investing; environmental and public land management law; timber investment management organizations (TIMOs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs); family forest management and land retention; or forestland financial analysis and operations research. Applicants must meet minimum educational and/or experiential qualifications for the Economist (0110) or Forester (0460) series, with the accompanying Professional and Scientific Group Standard at the GS-12 level. Additional education and/or research experience relevant to public administration, organizational science/theory, business law and administration, finance and accounting, or other relevant fields will be viewed positively. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Current U.S. Citizenship is required. Miscellaneous: The Forest Economics and Policy Research Work Unit (SRS-4804) will be recruiting a permanent Research Economist or Research Forester. The position will be hired at the GS-12 grade (salary range $82,601/yr to $107,385/yr), including standard Federal benefits. The duty station is the Forestry Sciences Laboratory, in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina. The Forest Economics and Policy Research Work Unit operates within the Center for Forest Assessment and Synthesis of the USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station. The Unit explores four problem areas: (1) the economics of forest-based natural disturbances; (2) forest policies, programs and taxes; (3) forest products markets and trade; and (4) forest ecosystem service economics and policy. RTP is located between Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill (the “Research Triangle”). The Research Triangle is a large, rapidly growing metropolitan center with more than 2 million residents. It hosts several major universities (including Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill); large R&D facilities of several federal agencies and private sector firms in IT, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology; several major medical centers/schools; and the North Carolina state government. The RTP Forestry Sciences Laboratory has been in existence since 1963 and currently houses researchers and support personnel from four work units in the Southern Research Station: Forest Economics and Policy, Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center, Forest Genetics and Ecosystems Productivity, and the Center for Integrated Forest Science. In addition, research activities involve resident scientific collaborators from major local universities. Salary: GS-12 grade (salary range $82,601/yr to $107,385/yr) Benefits: Standard Federal benefits. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/federal-employee-compensation-package/ How to Apply: This outreach is for a planned future application period. To express interest, please send contact information to Dr. Gregory Frey, at gregory.e.frey@usda.gov by Oct. 1, 2022. Once the application period is open (likely in October), those who have expressed interest will be sent a copy of the announcement with duties, qualifications required, and application instructions. For more information, contact Dr. Frey at 919-549-4025.
