DHA BLM Natural Resource Management

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management is seeking Natural Resource Management - Direct Hire Authority Interns interested in dedicating at least 11 weeks in support of BLM. This internship opportunity is intended to provide individuals from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds professional experience and exposure to public service and lands management. These internships are only available to current students continuing enrollment beyond this summer.

A Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) internship is perhaps the most effective tool currently available to agencies seeking to expedite the hiring of qualified people in positions that must be filled quickly. It is a competitive and rigorous project based internship. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and ACE EPIC are looking to engage the next generation of conservation stewards. The program will raise awareness of our public lands, their accessibility, and the need for the community's involvement in their preservation.

Please apply ASAP! The deadline for applications is March 10th.

For more information about BLM DHA internships, please visit https://www.blm.gov/careers/students-and-grads/direct-hire-program

**Please note: Direct Hire Authority must be utilized within two years of graduation. I.E. If you are due to graduate in May 2022, then you must utilize your DHA before May 2024, even though the internship ends September 2021.

Start Date: June (unless noted below)

End Date: August (unless noted below)

Duration: 11 weeks

Compensation: $600-$700/wk. Compensation is dependent on education level (Undergraduate/Graduate). Relocation funds are available to those who qualify.

Positions and Locations:

AZ state office (Fully Remote)

Start: May 31st, End: August 19th

The intern working with the State NCLS Lead, will compile information on science accomplishments and needs for biological resources of half of the AZ NM/NCAs ( Aqua Fria, San Pedro, Gila Box, and Las Cienagas). Each National Land Conservation System (NCLS) national monument (NM) and national conservation area (NCA) develop a science plans that the intern will analyze. Plans are based on four areas of emphasis: 1) scientific investigation of natural, social, and cultural resources referred to in each unit's enabling language, 2) studies that directly provide information to be used in Bureau management decisions, 3) multidisciplinary syntheses of science,

The Goals of the internship are the following:

1. a) Examine the proclamations and planning documents for the 4 NM/NCAs without science plans, the specific biological values will be identified for these units.
2. b) For the NM/NCAs above, summarize work and accomplishments for biological values as reported in managers reports 2006-2020.
3. c) From information in a, b and interviews with specialists and managers, identify up to 5 highest priority science needs of the units above for the next five years

Lakewood, CO (Fully Remote)

The BLM, National Park Service, and United States Forest Service are collaborating with a non-profit group (Adventure Scientists) to facilitate citizen science water quality monitoring for unassessed wild and scenic rivers. The objective of the project is to provide information to ensure water quality conditions are maintained or improved across the Wild and Scenic River System. Water quality maintenance is a cornerstone of preserving the outstanding remarkable values of the Nation's wild and scenic rivers. As part of the ongoing collaborative project, two years of field data have been collected and field offices expressed the need for assistance in analyzing and interpreting the information to inform management.

Through this internship, individuals will be provided an opportunity to work closely with BLM staff, and other federal partners, to better understand public land management with a specific focus on water and water quality. During their tenure, interns will be expected to collaborate closely with headquarters, NOC, and state office staff to: (1) inventory state water quality standards; (2) assess standard attainment for data collected on wild and scenic rivers; (3) contribute to the development of a report describing the collection methodologies and water quality status for wild and scenic rivers.

Boise, ID (Fully Remote) - Grazing Rule Revision Project

As the Grazing Rule Revision is the highest priority work load for the BLM, the project manager needs an intern with project management skills as well as an understanding of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) to assist in all communication needs to carry-out the completion of the rule making. The intern will work directly under the project manager for the Grazing Rule Revision project. The intern will perform administrative tasks, project management tasks, and communications tasks as assigned by the project manager and grazing rule leadership. The project will involve logistics work to insure the project remains on schedule. Tasks will include coordinating and communicating with resource advisors, team leads, and administrative assistance to insure the project remains on schedule.

Boise, ID (Fully Remote) - Environmental Impact Statement

As the Environmental Impact Statement(EIS) to approve the use of indaziflam and other herbicides, this EIS is one of the highest priority work load for the BLM, the project manager needs an intern with project management skills as well as an understanding of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) to assist in all communication needs to carry-out the process to complete a draft and final EIS. The intern will work directly under the project manager for the EIS. The intern will perform administrative tasks, project management tasks, and communications tasks as assigned by the project manager and HQ220 leadership. The project will involve logistics work to insure the project remains on schedule. Tasks will include coordinating and communicating with resource advisors, team leads, and administrative assistance to insure the project remains on schedule.

Lewistown, MT (In-Person)

The BLM expects each national monument to develop a science plan in coordination with the national NLCS Science Program. The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, established in 2001, signed its Resource Management Plan in 2008, and has yet to draft a science plan as directed in the BLM Manual 6220 addressing National Monuments, published in 2012. In the past two years our office has entered discussions with the USGS and the NLCS Science Coordinator. We have made attempts to initiate a science plan and have a very rough draft based off another monument's plan, but it lacks direction and is not a usable document. We are looking at bringing on an intern with strong organization, analytical and writing skills, who can take the direction we have been given, coordinate with national, state, and local specialists, and pull our national monument science plan together into a comprehensive plan that identifies what our scientific base looks like, what data gaps exist, and what our research potential looks like. This will help guide management decisions, funding priorities, and resource protection for the objects of our national monument.

Salt Lake City, UT / Denver, CO (Fully Remote)

The BLM Science in Practice Portal (SPP) https://spp.blm.gov/home is a tool developed by BLM National Science Committee for consolidating and serving science related information to BLM field staff. The intent of the SPP is to be the hub to find and share materials and expertise, draw on to facilitate professional growth, networking, operational support, mission-related data sources. Each Headquarters division is responsible for populating the SPP with program materials. HQ 230 is responsible for 7 different areas of mission support within the SPP including: Fisheries/Aquatic Resources, HAF, Hazard Management/Restoration, Riparian, T&E, Water, and Wildlife. The SPP has largely remained underdeveloped and underutilized because HQ230 and state office program staff time is dedicated to higher priorities. HQ230 is seeking the development of new partnerships/relationships with a focus on youth engagement and climate resilience. We believe the DHA internship program offers a unique opportunity to engage college students working toward a renewable resource management career. Through the internship, students will be provided an opportunity to work closely with BLM staff to understand the resource management challenges facing BLM. The BLM is expected to benefit by bringing in students with current education and training relevant to addressing the climate crisis and BLM resource management. During their short tenure, interns will be expected to collaborate closely with one or more HQ230 staff to identify (1) materials appropriate to SPP, (2) to perform scientific literature reviews, and interviews with subject matter experts, (3) develop summaries, outreach and briefing materials (4) upload the materials into the SPP.

Carlsbad, NM (in Person)

This project is to find an intern candidate to help with the daily workload within the Carlsbad Field Office as a Natural Resource Specialist. The Carlsbad Field Office is currently one of the busiest BLM offices in the Nation for approving oil and gas permits and realty applications. The intern would work alongside a seasoned employee to teach them the roles and functions of a natural resource specialist. This would provide the intern the access to one of the busiest offices in the country and a wealth of knowledge.

The intern would be taught the beginning processes of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and how to properly write Environmental Assessments (EA's), Determination of NEPA Adequacy (DNA's) and or Categorical exclusions (CX's). They would also learn about working within an interdisciplinary team environment, consisting of Reality Specialist, Biologists, Archaeologists, Range Management Specialists, Hydrologists, Cave and Karst Specialists, GIS Specialists, and NEPA Planners. This interdisciplinary team would help to teach the intern about natural resources and the need for protecting resources for future generations.

The intern would help coordinate and lead on ground inspections of proposed surface disturbing activities associated with oil and gas development and/or other land uses. This includes well pad locations, roads, pipelines and other activities needed to produce oil and gas. The intern would help conduct field inspections of oil and gas operations and/or surface use authorization for the purpose of determining companies with applicable laws and regulations, lease terms, onshore oil and gas orders. The intern would communicate daily with a variety of individuals to resolve land use conflicts between proposed land uses and other resource mandates.

St. George, UT (In Person)

This intern would work with the District Planner and Utah State Office Planning Branch to gather information and prepare the final report for the 5-year Plan Evaluation for two Resource Management Plans that were signed in 2016. The field office must complete the evaluations in FY 22. The project involves close coordination with staff to review and evaluate the relevance and functionality of current management actions to identify if changes are needed to improve land management or resource protection within the planning areas. We also hope to provide some exposure to various projects in the field office NEPA program to support a more well-rounded experience for the intern.

West Valley City, UT (In Person)

The West Desert District (WDD) is home to a unique set of springs, wetlands, and streams, that are essential for aquatic habitat, wildlife, and sustainable rangeland health. It is vital to document and monitor the changes in these water resources to help guide management decisions. These water resources were comprehensively inventoried back in the 1980's when the original Resource Management Plan was formulated. Digitizing/geotagging the older repository of data and conducting field work to re-inventory the springs is needed to create a comprehensive look at the health of the WDD's water resources. There is also a need to set up hydrologic monitoring sites on perennial and intermittent streams throughout the district. The DHA intern will work under the direction of the WDD aquatic ecologist and hydrologist to conduct field work related to spring re-inventory and hydrologic monitoring. While collecting new data for a modern inventory, the intern will also be working to digitize, geocode, and create robust maps/databases for internal and external specialists to use. This project will provide the selected intern valuable skills to conduct qualitative and quantitative hydrologic monitoring, field work, and utilization of geodatabases through GIS (ESRI, R, Python... etc). The DHA supervisor and WDD has a proven track record of successful and meaningful DHA internships. This project provides a sufficient degree of independence, in addition to mentorship. The intern will also be provided other opportunities to experience multi-use management. Including state meetings, other agency coordination meetings, and internal meetings and projects.

Mandatory Requirements:

• Must be a Currently Enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree program. Recent graduates are not eligible for DHA positions.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Ability to undergo a federal criminal history check
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.

Preferred Skills:

• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Skills related to specific positions above
• Ability to function independently and with a team
• Strong work ethic
• Passion for public lands
• Understanding of BLM Multiple Use Policies

Selection Criteria: Please note that this specific program is intended as opportunities for those who identify as individuals from diverse and underrepresented communities. All applications will be reviewed and rated according to the following criteria: relevant educational and work experience, oral and written communication skills, maturity, professionalism, technical knowledge and expertise, evidence of adaptability and adventurousness, and ability to work effectively with diverse audiences. Selected candidates will undergo a background check before beginning their assignment. The intern must be willing to represent ACE and the BLM in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION

To Apply:

Please submit your application using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/607964.html

To be considered, we require ALL the items listed below. Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, so we recommend applying immediately.

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Copy of unofficial transcripts
4. Explicitly state which locations/positions you want to be considered for.

If you have any questions regarding this position, or would like to submit multiple applications materials, please feel free to contact the Program Manager, Josh Haussler, at 385-226-0080 or jhaussler@usaconservation.org

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for DHA BLM Natural Resource Management Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC