Lands and Realty Member

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nationwide Non-Profit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Palm Springs South Coast Field Office is seeking One Lands and Realty Member to dedicate a minimum of 33 weeks to work in support of the Palm Springs South Coast Field Office. The member will be supporting the Lands and Realty Department in a variety of projects including organizing the Lands Records filing room, scanning Lands case files, archiving closed case files, performing data entry, and other tasks to support the existing lands team in their work on high priority realty actions. This opportunity is ideal for a candidate looking to support with report writing, compliance support, environmental policy, and federal land management.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org

Start Date: ASAP

End Date: 33 weeks after the start date

*A 33-week commitment is required*

Location: Palm Springs, California

BLM California's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office ("PSSCFO") manages a complex variety of public lands: about 3.6 million acres, including 1.7 million surface (more than the State of Delaware) and 1.9 million subsurface. The office serves a diverse public: home to more than 22 million people and host to millions of annual visits. The PSSCFO stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Colorado River and from the international border with Mexico to where the mountains meet the Mojave Desert: an area larger than the State of Maryland. Renewable energy, recreation, and conservation drive PSSCFO's multiple-use and sustained-yield programming. The office carries out the BLM mission by way of strong partnerships, including the most annual volunteer hours of any BLM California field office. PSSCFO's workload includes multiple utility-scale solar and wind projects, an ever-expanding number of visitors and variety of ways to experience and enjoy America's public lands, and year-round operations to protect lives, property, and resources through robust and integrated fire and law enforcement programs. The office manages fourteen Wilderness areas, fourteen Areas of Critical Environmental Concern ("ACECs"), all or part of four National Monuments (Sand to Snow, Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains, California Coastal, and Mojave Trails), and three National Scenic and Historic Trails (the world-famous Pacific Crest Trail, and the historic Juan Bautista de Anza and Old Spanish trails).

For more information about the BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, please visit California Desert District Office.

Living Allowance: $700/wk. Living allowance provided for food and incidentals. Housing is not provided but member will receive a $200/wk housing reimbursement to help offset housing costs. Member's schedule will be generally 40/hrs a week but is flexible and based on the needs of the BLM.

Position Description: The member will assist the Realty Specialists, Land Law Examiners and the Lands Administrative staff with a variety of tasks performed throughout the different stages of processing various types of land use actions, such as: Reviewing applications and establishing case files for land use authorization requests and applications; Drafting routine case-related correspondence; Assisting in the preparation of draft documents such as rights-of-ways (ROW), land use permits, leases (including stipulations and maps), and environmental documents on all types of complexities of realty casework; Conducting on-site inspections for all types of realty actions and activities to ensure proposed projects are feasible, or authorized projects are compliance with ROW terms, conditions, and stipulations; Responding to customer and public contacts related to the processing of land actions and lands and realty records;. Coordinating assigned realty action work with other agencies and governments.

This internship may also provide clerical and administrative assistance to a variety of other programs for a comprehensive interactive learning experience.

The BLM PSSCFO is currently working on a number of renewable energy and communication site projects within the California Desert Renewable Energy Conservation area and South Coast Resource Area in order to meet the field office's requirements of the Federal Land Policy Management Act (FLPMA),as well as a variety of other projects that are often the result of land use authorization requests. The BLM receives dozens of daily calls about ROW issues, permits, permits, and other land use matters, and we work on a variety of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) actions to ensure a quick response to requests for Realty Actions.

Projects Goals: The overall goal of this internship is to assist the Lands program with the various land type actions. The realty member will assist with case file management, data entry organization, archiving, record review, compliance inspections, trespass investigations, billings, record keeping, drafting correspondence, and coordinating with interdisciplinary team members.

The PSSCFO is focused on goals and team building to enhance response time to requests from the local community, and this internship will provide an opportunity to react quickly and interact professionally with our local communities. In addition, the intern will learn about customer service and Federal policies, laws and regulations in the pursuit of a career with the government or with other organizations.

The member will assist throughout the BLM California Desert District and be based out of the Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office. The position will primarily be based in the office environment, but the member will gain experience assisting with duties between the field and the office. The member must be willing to perform occasional physical labor while being exposed to summer heat and winter rains, desert wildlife and plants, remote project areas, and other potential hazards commensurate with land management activities.

Qualifications: This opportunity may occasionally require time outdoors and fieldwork that may be under somewhat rigorous physical conditions. Applicants must also meet the following criteria: 1). Pass a DOI security background check 2). Have a valid Driver's License 3). Pass a Defensive Driving Course.

Requirements:

• US Citizen or Permanent Resident;
• Between the age of 18 and 35 to comply with federal agreement requirements;
• A valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to provide such documentation; Driving Record check will be completed during on-boarding process. (Interns must be 21+ to drive agency vehicles);
• Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal background check;
• Must be willing and able to perform the above fieldwork and project duties as listed above;
• Applicants are expected to be HIGHLY motivated and eventually learn to be able to perform assigned duties with little direct supervision;
• Strong background or interest in Land Management and Federal Policy;
• Comfort spending time outdoors in a desert environment one day and spending the next at a computer;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals;
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and participate effectively in collaborative efforts;
• Detail orientated with an interest in federal land management actions along with a respect for nature.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Member Manager, Elyse Cogburn, ecogburn@usaconservation.org.

Vaccination Requirement: 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.

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 Lands and Realty Member Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC