U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Pacific Northwest Research Station
Resource Monitoring and Assessment
Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Data Collection

FOREST INVENTORY INTERNSHIP
The Pacific Northwest Research Station anticipates filling 11 intern positions for the 2016 field season. These internships will be with the Forest Inventory and Analysis program and selected individuals will work on a multiple-person field crew, collecting ecological data on forest health and change. Each position will be assigned to one of 11 satellite duty stations in Washington, Oregon, or California. A weekly living allowance, monthly housing allowance, and travel allowance are provided. Health benefits may be included.
Program Overview:
The Forest Inventory and Analysis Program (FIA) is part of a nationwide program which collects, processes, analyzes, evaluates, and publishes comprehensive information on forests and other related renewable resources.
Positions with the FIA program are primarily field based, with the field season running between the months of April and November. Field crews composed of 2-3 individuals collect ecological data that include: forest type; stand size and stand age; land-use and ownership; natural and anthropogenic treatments and disturbances; tree attributes; vegetation structure and composition; insects and disease; fuel loading; and various geographical attributes. FIA crews visit remote research sites on foot, often hiking off-trail for considerable distances (>5 miles) in rugged terrain while exposed to adverse environmental conditions (heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, sleet, dust, poisonous plants/insects, etc.). Research sites are dispersed over a large geographic area which requires extensive travel (50-80% of the time), camping, and multiday backpacking trips. In addition to data collection, crews are responsible for processing and editing field data as well as writing summaries of field visits.
A positive attitude, the capability to function on a team, the ability to adapt to changing priorities and a sense of adventure are keys to success with the FIA program. Field positions with this program are incredibly challenging yet rewarding.
These positions will be filled through the SCA internship program and can be viewed by searching
“Forest Inventory Intern” AND sorting by “Title” at www.thesca.org/serve/positions
 Duration of work*: 25 weeks, April 3 – September 24, 2016 (start date is not flexible for 25 week internships)
 Application period: 12/18/15 – 02/05/16
 Weekly Living Allowance: $240.00
 Monthly Housing Allowance: Dependent upon location
 Locations: applicants must apply to each location separately.
– WASHINGTON – Twisp, Olympia, Cle Elum
– OREGON – Grants Pass, Portland, Bend*
– CALIFORNIA – Mt. Shasta, Redding, Chico, Mammoth Lakes**, Fresno**
*The Bend internship will be a 16 week internship: June 12-Sep 30
** The Mammoth Lakes and Frenso internships will be 12 weeks: May 29 – Aug 19 (Medical insurance cannot be offered.)
For additional information please contact:
Justin Holgerson
Washington State Coordinator
Pacific Northwest Research Station
(503)-808-3131
pnw_fia_outreach@fs.fed.us
Jane Terzibashian
Oregon State Coordinator
Pacific Northwest Research Station
(503)-808-3127
pnw_fia_outreach@fs.fed.us
Marin Palmer
California State Coordinator
Pacific Northwest Research Station
(503) 808-2025
pnw_fia_outreach@fs.fed.us
If sending an e-mail, please use “SCA Intern” as the subject line.
“… this experience provided me with valuable field research skills I did not learn during my undergraduate career.” – PNW FIA Intern, 2014
“My SCA experience has given me a chance to see parts of the country I have dreamed of working in while learning and gaining experience for a future job” – – PNW FIA Intern, 2014
“I can’t imagine that I would have gone to the place I went, did what I did, and pushed myself the way I was if I was not a part of the program” – PNW FIA Intern, 2014