Friday, February 24, 2017

Fulbright International Research Opportunities

FULBRIGHT - INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR STEM STUDENTS (GRAD/UNDERGRAD): INFORMATION SESSIONS

If you are a junior or senior STEM major, a recent STEM graduate, or a STEM graduate student, and would benefit from the opportunity to conduct research abroad in 2018-19, in a lab or field project related to your future STEM career goals, you should learn about the Fulbright program.

Maryland has had great success placing STEM students in labs and field projects - including neurology research in the Netherlands, bio-engineering in Spain, physics in Austria, and marine biology in Indonesia, among others.

Fulbright awards are designed to give recent B.S./B.A. graduates and graduate students (who are also US citizens) opportunities for international experience, personal enrichment and an open exchange of ideas with citizens of other nations. About 2000 Fulbright fully-funded grants are currently available to over 150 nations. There are two distinct types of grant: study/research awards for students who wish to pursue lab or field research abroad, and English Teaching Assistantships. For detailed information please visit the Fulbright US Student Program website at: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html

The National Scholarships Office at the University of Maryland is hosting information several workshops on Fulbright opportunities specifically for STEM students – please RSVP using the links below if you plan to attend (and let us know if are interested but unable to attend by writing to fulbright@umd.edu).

FULBRIGHT STEM INFO SESSIONS: Please specify which day/time you plan to attend in your response.

Tuesday, February 28 at 12 noon – at 2403 Marie Mount Hall – RSVP to fulbright@umd.edu
Tuesday, February 28 at 4:30 pm – at 2403 Marie Mount Hall – RSVP to fulbright@umd.edu
Wednesday, March 1 at 4:30 pm – at 2403 Marie Mount Hall – RSVP to fulbright@umd.edu
Thursday, March 2 at 12 noon – at 2403 Marie Mount Hall – RSVP to fulbright@umd.edu
Friday, March 3 at 12 noon – at 2403 Marie Mount Hall – RSVP to fulbright@umd.edu
Friday, March 3 at 4:30 pm – at 2403 Marie Mount Hall – RSVP to fulbright@umd.edu
Interested but can't attend - write to us at fulbright@umd.edu 

Who Can Apply: US Citizens – Current Juniors and Seniors, Recent Grads, Graduate Students – All STEM Majors – GPA of 3.5 or higher recommended – Campus Deadline: Thursday, September 1, 2017

Award Amounts: In general, Fulbright grants for study and teaching cover the following costs: Round-trip transportation to the host country; Maintenance for the academic year, based on living costs in the host country; Medical Insurance; and orientation programs, in some cases. Fulbright study grants may also provide: Book and research allowances; Full or partial tuition, in most cases.

Duration: Approximately one academic year; length and timing of awards varies by individual country and/or region.

UMD Campus Deadline: September 1, 2017 – contact us at fulbright@umd.edu for details.

AGNR Student Scholarships

Current Student Scholarships

Undergraduate current students in AGNR majors are welcome to apply for scholarships during their academic career in the college. 
Undergraduate transfer Students are also eligible to apply for current student scholarships using their GPAs and record of activities from their previous insitutions. The deadline to submit your Current/Transfer Student Scholarship Application is May 1, 2017. Decisions are released in June. 

Link to learn more is here: http://agnr.umd.edu/students/scholarships

Win $700 for your Innovative Ideas in the UMD-AGNR Ideation Competition

The Agriculture Innovation to Commercialization (AgI2C) Competition promotes innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture, natural resources, and environmental sustainability by offering awards to undergraduate student teams for the best new business ideas.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has partnered with the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship(link is external) and the Academy for Innovation & Entrepreneurship(link is external) to launch its inaugural Agriculture Innovation to Commercialization competition.  Ideation winners will be better prepared to participate in Idea Shell, the first stage of the Fearless Founders(link is external) accelerator program at the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship. 
Find out how to ENTER HEREhttp://agnr.umd.edu/agi2c/ideation-competition

Interdisciplinary Water Science and Engineering REU @ Virginia Tech

Seasonal Technician positions with Maryland Forest Service

Seasonal Natural Resources Technician II

Five (5) Vacancies
Recruitment #17-002293-0023
DEPARTMENT
DNR - Forest Service
DATE OPENED
2/18/2017 9:55:00 AM
FILING DEADLINE
3/4/2017 11:59:00 PM
SALARY
$14.25 - $14.75/hour
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full-Time 
HR ANALYST
Charles Hecker
WORK LOCATION
Anne Arundel 
Frederick 
Queen Anne's 
Washington County 

Introduction

Seasonal Contractual
Five (5) vacancies, full-time
Contract Period: 8 to 10 months, see position descriptions (start/end dates may be negotiable)

LOCATION OF POSITION

Anne Arundel County
Frederick County
Queen Anne's County
Washington County 

Main Purpose Of Job

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service is currently accepting applications for multiple seasonal Natural Resources Technician positions. The positions are full-time, 40 hours/week, with occasional weekend or evening obligations.  Applicants must be willing to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. 

Buffer Technician (2 vacancies), March to December
Annapolis - Tawes State Office Building
Centreville - 120 Broadway Avenue #14, Centreville, MD 21617
  • Assist with tree planting and follow up for maintenance
  • Survival checks on prior plantings to assess replanting or maintenance needs
  • Conduct outreach and GIS targeting to identify new forest buffer planting areas and willing landowners
  • Assist with buffer planting plans and forest inventory data collection
Forest Health Technician (1 vacancy), April to January
Annapolis - Tawes State Office Building
  • Urban tree and forest inventory data collection to identify risks for forest health threats such as emerald ash borer and invasive plants
  • GIS mapping for forest health planning and response
  • Assist with developing and implementing forest health response plans
Watershed Technician (2 vacancies)
Washington Monument State Park, 6620 Zittlestown Rd., Middletown, MD 21769 
Frederick City Watershed (March to December)
  • Assist with recreational trail management for the City of Frederick Watershed
  • Control invasive species through mechanical and chemical methods
  • Collect forest stand data, including seedling regeneration
  • Mark and maintain boundary markings and gates
Riparian Forest Buffer Assessment (May to January)
  • Collect data on trees, understory vegetation, stream cross-sections, and water quality in riparian forest buffers 5 to 15 years old
  • Locate and mark plots for long-term forest buffer monitoring
  • Data entry and summary for riparian forest buffer function     

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Completion of sixty credit hours from an accredited college or university, 18 of which are in biology, biochemistry, environmental science, forest technology, arboriculture, aquaculture, natural science, natural resources management, botany, marine biology, marine ecology, physical oceanography, ichthyology, fisheries management, wildlife management, zoology, or a natural resources management related field of study.
Experience: One year of experience in technical biological work in the field of natural resources management.
Notes:
1. Additional experience performing technical biological work in the field of forestry, arboriculture, wildlife, aquaculture, natural resources management, or fisheries may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
2. Additional education beyond sixty credit hours from an accredited college or university in a natural resources related field of study can be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis for up to two years of experience.
3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in the natural resources management and biological sciences classifications or natural resources management and biological sciences specialty codes in the biological science technician field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Strong preference will be given to applicants that possess the following.  Include clear and specific information on your application regarding the qualification(s).
Experience in geographic information systems (GIS) and identifying invasive species is strongly preferred, but not required.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment, and report all experience and education that is related to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will proceed to the next phase of evaluation.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.
This recruitment does not require any additional materials to be uploaded. Your qualifications will be assessed based on the information included on your submitted application. Please do not submit unsolicited documentation.

BENEFITS

Contractual employees who works for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program (the Program), have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents.  As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online application is STRONGLY preferred. If online access is unavailable, you may submit a paper application to:
Department of Natural Resources
Human Resources
580 Taylor Avenue, C-3
Annapolis, MD 21401
Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. The Human Resource Department is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.
Specific inquiries regarding this recruitment can be directed to Charles Hecker atcharles.hecker@maryland.gov
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.
We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply.
Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

National Park Service Summer Soils Internship



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We are looking to hire two students for an exciting summer internship with the National Park Service.  Get paid to be out in the woods!

Here's the scoop:

The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program is seeking student interns to implement soil monitoring protocols in national parks in the Washington DC area. We anticipate that 2-3 days of training will be done between May 22 and May 31 and that 12 weeks of soil monitoring will begin in June 1st and continue through August 2017. This is a full-time internship (40 hours/week), and we anticipate a Monday – Friday work schedule. The pay rate for these positions is $13/hour (plus travel expenses).

Applicants should have taken ENST 200 (Fundamentals of Soil Science). Preference will be given to applicants who also have taken ENST 308 or (ENST 301, 302, 303), Field Soil Morphology and are familiar with identifying soil types and horizons and collecting basic soil monitoring data such as:
 Physical Parameters                                       
            Infiltration                                                      
            Profile description                                          
            Soil type                                                         
            Bulk density                                       
            Aggregate stability
            Litter and O horizon depth
Chemical Parameters
             pH
             available nutrients cations
             trace minerals
Pedological Description of auger profile
 
The National Capital Region Network (NCRN) is based at the Center for Urban Ecology (CUE) in Washington, DC and coordinates biological inventories and long-term monitoring of natural resources found within the 11 parks of the National Capital Region. Monitoring activities include forest vegetation and soils, birds, amphibians, water quality and landscape change. Long-term ecological monitoring programs are designed to identify trends in ecosystem conditions and to provide park managers with the information necessary to evaluate their management strategies and to confront and mitigate threats to park resources. Other science programs at CUE, such as botany, wildlife, geology, air, and water resources, work with the I&M Program on interdisciplinary studies.

Students must be enrolled at least half-time in spring of 2017, be enrolled in a degree program and anticipate being enrolled in the fall semester.

Students will undergo a multi-day training in the lab and the field in late May. Then you become part of a team monitoring the trees, birds and soils ....

If interested, please send a current resume, transcripts and a 1 page letter of interest to Dr. Weil @ rweil@umd.edu
Application Deadline March 20, 2017

ENST EcoTech Scholarships for Juniors

We have a couple scholarships available to EcoTech JUNIORS, meaning a student who still has another fall and spring semester before graduating and has been in ENST for a year or more. Please make sure to submit by March 6th!

The recipient will be selected by the Ecological Technology Design faculty/academic advisor of the Department of Environmental Science and Technology, a committee of at least three members.  Eligibility rules are given along with the criteria of selection.  These selection rules were based originally on the ASABE Student Honor Award point system and have been modified here to use a student vita form.  Junior standing is based on credits earned in the ENST Ecological Technology Design concentration.

Eligibility Rules

ER-1    Be enrolled for at least 1 year in the Ecological Technology Design concentration of the Environmental Science and Technology major.
ER-2    Have attained Junior standing at the University of Maryland with credits earned in the ENST Ecological Technology Design concentration.
ER-3    Have earned at least a 2.5 (if an A is counted as 4.0 honor points), C+, or 75 percent average for all work completed since the beginning of his/her freshman year.
ER-4    Be enrolled for a period of at least one year as a member of a national professional engineering or environmental science society or as a student member of a local environmental science student branch of a national society.  Professional societies are to include all appropriate professional societies represented in the department.
ER-5    Have attended most of the scheduled meetings of his/her departmental student club since becoming a member of the club, as validated by the Club’s faculty advisor.
ER-6    Previous recipients are not eligible.

Criteria                                                                                               Maximum Points

Scholarship                                                                                                    30
Participation in local Professional Society/Dept. Club activities                25
            Membership, offices held, committee service,
            presentations, club activities completed, etc.
Other Extracurricular Activities – College, Campus; Community              25
            Election to national scholastic honor society;
            participation in student government; athletics;
            religious, cultural, civic or fraternal organizations, etc.
Financial need                                                                                               20

                                                                                                                     100

If interested, please create a Word Document with the following information 
​(see below) ​
and email it to shannonp@umd.edu

STUDENT VITA
Department of Environmental Science and Technology (ENST)
University of Maryland

The purpose of this student vita is to provide students a form on which to record important information which will be of value in applying for awards, scholarships, and employment.  This information will be confidential and used only to select persons when awards or scholarships become known to the department.

                                                                                                            Standing in “major concentration”
Name (Print) ______________________________________          Senior             ___________
Local Address____________________________________             Junior              ___________
_______________________________________________              Sophomore            ___________
Permanent Address________________________________            Freshman            ___________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Phone (local)                                               E-mail address: _____________________________
Scholastic Grade Point Average: ___________________ as of (semester) _________________
Total credit hours completed: __________   
Degree credit hours completed for 
​ENST: 
__________

College Education Record - University of Maryland; Community Colleges; Other
                                                                                                                                                                  Graduation
Name of School                       Time Period                Major              Degree            Date Expected
                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                             
______________________________________________________________________________
Please use attached sheets as necessary to complete the following items.
ENST and other Departmental Student Club Activities
(a)       Offices held (dates)


(b)       Committee Chairman, Committee membership, duties, representative to other councils (ANGR and ENGR)



(c)       Other contributions to Student Club activities (prepared talks, branch publications, field day
            involvement, meeting attendance (how much), fundraising, Ag Day, club campus activities, etc.)

Professional Society Student Activities – e.g., Environmental Science Societies (State, Regional or National), Engineering Professional Societies (e.g., ASABE at local, state, regional, and national levels).



List membership, any offices held, attendance at society meetings, papers or talks given, etc. in a professional or honorary society.



Member of national professional society: yes ___ no ___.  Which one(s)? _________________

Campus and Community Extracurricular Activities and Awards
List any clubs, organizations, etc. including any campus, community or high school activities, awards or special recognitions received (such as election to national honor society, publications, contests, student government, athletics, fraternal organizations, church activities, scouts, 4-H, FFA, or others).





Working Experience
Please list any jobs held (summer employment, jobs held during school, internships, etc.).  Include a brief description of duties, number of people you supervised (if any), and dates of employment.




Special Interests and Hobbies



Financial Report—for scholarship consideration (Important)
Summarize how your college education is being financed.  For scholarship applications a statement of financial need and evidence of self-help is to be provided.  Show budget for annual expenses and income/support to cover for next year.  Give description of any special needs or circumstances.

Total Cost                                                                   Finances Available
      Tuition and fees                ____                                  Present scholarships      _____
      Room/lodging                   ____                                  Financial aid               _____
      Meals/dining                    ____                                  Own job toward school      _____
      Books                                ____                                  Parental support         _____
                                                                                          Other                           _____
                                               
      Total cost                          ____                                  Total finances available      _____


 Any explanation of financial details





Any other information for the selection committee to consider:







I certify the above information is accurate.      


Name (Print) __________________________________


(Signature)_____________________________________                                                                             Date_____________________