Job Detail

Graduate Assistantship, Urban Sustainability

Location: Washington, DC
Salary:

Graduate Assistant in Urban Sustainability
Background:
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is the land-grant university of the Nation’s Capital. The College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) embodies the landgrant tradition of UDC and offers academic programs in urban agriculture, urban sustainability, water resources management, nutrition and dietetics, urban architecture and community planning.
Position Description:
CAUSES seeks a Graduate Assistant to join its Professional Science Master’s Program in Urban Sustainability (https://www.udc.edu/causes/professional-science-masters-program/). The Graduate Assistant will work with a group of researchers to assess the current condition and survival of oak trees in
the District of Columbia. Work will include evaluation of the presence of pests and pathogens, and measurement of abiotic factors that may negatively impact urban trees. Oak trees experiencing decline will be identified, mapped and sampled for pathogens and insect pests. Field work will be coordinated with public, private, institutional, and federal property owners across the District. The Graduate Assistant will collaborate with federal and District government agencies on the analysis, summary, and interpretation of data for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and for the general public in the form of blog posts and other publicly-available formats.

The Graduate Assistant will partner with other universities, government agencies, and NGOs, and will contribute to community outreach associated with the project. The incumbent will be expected to conduct research 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and 30-40 hours per week over the summer. Research conducted during the summer will focus on field work in urban and semi-natural
settings across DC. The Graduate Assistantship position carries a stipend of $22,500 for 12 months. Upon successful completion of the first year, a second year of funding will be available (i.e. $45,000 over 24 months total). Non-DC area residents will also be eligible for in-District graduate tuition rates for the
master’s program (currently $4,100 per semester).

Primary qualifications
• Undergraduate degree related to urban ecology, sustainability, and/or land management, e.g. with a major in forestry, environmental studies, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, botany, biological sciences, ecology, or a closely-related field.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to exhibit an attention to detail, and a self-driven curiosity for the research topic.
• Proven ability to conduct independent research and applied problem solving.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to convene and organize research groups, work as an active member of a diverse scientific team, and relay research goals and findings to a variety of audiences.
• Strong quantitative skills and a basic understanding of biostatistics are preferred.
• Physical ability to work outdoors in a range of conditions and settings.
• A valid U.S. driver’s license is required.

Application
Applicants should first apply for the Graduate Assistantship through the email address listed below. The successful applicant will then need to apply for the PSM in Urban Sustainability Program through UDC Admissions. Applicants should email:
1) a letter of interest detailing their qualifications for the position (two-page maximum);
2) a curriculum vitae;
3) unofficial undergraduate transcripts; and
4) contact information for three professional references (institution, email address, and phone number).

Application deadline: Open until filled. Priority deadline is May 1, 2021.
Starting date: Preferably July 2021. An August start date may be negotiable.
Duration: One year, renewable for a second year with successful completion of expectations.
Contact: To apply for the Graduate Assistantship or for questions, please contact
urbansustainability@udc.edu.

---

Back to Job Listings