Graduate Research Assistant-Urban Forestry

Graduate Research Assistant position with the Batten University Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences to support the research project “Community Based Urban Heat Island Mitigation in Portsmouth VA and Surrounding Areas.”

About the Role

The student will assist with organizing community tree planting events in Portsmouth, Virginia, in fall 2026. Responsibilities include planning and executing campaigns, recruiting and communicating with volunteers, community members, and partner organizations, as well as selecting, transporting, and planting trees. Additional tasks may involve picking up trees from suppliers in Hampton Roads, creating outreach materials for the local community and schools, and GIS mapping of the study area.

Some work may be remote, but the student must be available in the Portsmouth area for planting campaigns, which may occur on weekdays or weekends. There will also be in-person meetings and volunteer recruitment events in Portsmouth leading up to the events.

This is a part-time position working 5-10 hours per week over a fifteen-week period with compensation of $20/hour.

Responsibilities

• Organize and assist with community tree planting events in Portsmouth, VA
• Recruit and communicate with volunteers, community members, and partner organizations
• Select, transport, and plant trees
• Pick up trees from suppliers in Hampton Roads
• Create outreach materials for the local community and schools
• Perform GIS mapping of the study area
• Attend in-person meetings and volunteer recruitment events in Portsmouth

Requirements

• Graduate student enrolled in good standing in Batten University’s Masters in Environmental Studies (MEnv) program
• Minimum graduate GPA of 3.0, or undergraduate GPA of 3.2 for students just entering the program
• Availability to assist with the project for an average of 5-10 hours per week from August 10, 2026 - December 11, 2026
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills
• Ability to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the MEnv program
• Physical ability to stand for extended periods, safely lift up to 50 pounds, bend or squat, dig, and plant small and medium trees

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic tree planting techniques
• Knowledge of ArcGIS

About the Project

Portsmouth, VA, is ranked “at risk” by the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), with nearly a third of the city’s population living in zip codes deemed “distressed.” These areas have relatively low tree cover and higher impervious surfaces, potentially leading to extreme heat stress. Urban tree planting can mitigate heat stress and contribute to overall wellness, as well as attract businesses and customers.

This project, funded by a grant through the VA Department of Forestry, measured urban heat stress in Portsmouth to better target mitigation efforts. Results are being shared with the community, which is engaged in developing local solutions. The team is working with the community and city to plan and carry out an intensive tree planting program using native species in areas identified as most distressed based on heat and demographic factors.

The goals of this project are to:

• Map urban heat islands (UHI) in Portsmouth, VA, using direct on-the-ground measurement via a citizen science model
• Identify neighborhoods at high risk for extreme urban heat by combining heat maps with demographic data using GIS analysis
• Engage the community in a collaborative process to identify intervention solutions
• Conduct heat mitigation interventions by removing pavement and planting trees in specific areas identified through community engagement

Pay

$20/hour

Schedule

5-10 hours per week from August 10, 2026 - December 11, 2026. Planting campaigns may occur on weekdays or weekends.