Natural Resources Internship with Bureau of Land Management

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management is seeking Natural Resource Specialist - Direct Hire Authority (DHA) Interns interested in dedicating 11 weeks in support of BLM.

A Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) internship is perhaps the most effective tool currently available to agencies seeking to expedite the hiring of qualified students in positions quickly. It is a competitive and rigorous project based internship that sets the foundation toward finding a full time position directly with a government agency. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and ACE EPIC are looking to engage the next generation of conservation stewards from diverse and unique viewpoints with particular attention to African American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, and Hispanic students. The program will raise awareness of our public lands, their accessibility, and the need for community involvement in their preservation.

Please apply ASAP! Applications will be reviewed the week of April 1st, and interviews will occur the following week. So please apply before then. However, if you are unable to meet that deadline, We strongly encourage you still apply and please reach out to Josh Haussler at jhaussler@usaconservation.org. We will continue rolling reviews of applications until all positions are filled.

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

**Please note: This opportunity is only available to current students at the end of the program. Unfortunately any students graduation before August 2024 do not qualify and cannot be considered.

Start Date: May or June

End Date: 11 weeks after start date

Compensation: $800-$900/wk. Compensation is dependent on education level (Undergraduate/Graduate).

Relocation Reimbursement: We can reimburse up to $1000 of costs associated with moving to and from the internship location.

Housing Assistance: Housing assistance up to $175 per week is available upon request and demonstration of need.

Location: Safford, AZ

Position Description:

The Safford Field Office (SFO) comprises 1.4 million acres, 257 grazing allotments, and supports approximately 23 threatened and endangered (T&E) species. The renewable resources program has a large workload that includes species monitoring, habitat enhancement, land health evaluations, and development of National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance documents. The DHA internship program would provide the Safford field office with assistance with meeting targets, while providing a meaningful and challenging internship to an individual. The proposed project would fall under the natural resources management and biological sciences as the individual would be working across disciplines (i.e., fisheries, wildlife, hydrology, and rangeland management). The intern would have a wide variety of task assigned to them. These tasks would be challenging, developmental and mirror the workload of an entry level natural resource position. The intern would work alongside renewable staff and would assist them with their workload as necessary. They would assist with data collection, management, recording, analysis, and report writing. These tasks would meet the criteria for the following elements: intense and rigorous projects, high degree of autonomy, defined deliverable, demanding schedule, and experience with multiple stakeholders.

The intern can expect to:

• Gain skills in technical writing through the development of planning documents (i.e., NEPA) and endangered species compliance documents (i.e., biological evaluations) for various projects.
• Assist the NEPA Interdisciplinary (ID) team through attendance at bi-monthly NEPA meetings.
• Gain valuable experience in surveys for and monitoring of native fish, frogs, and mud turtles. Surveys in aquatic habitats will be conducted to assess presence, absence, distribution, and abundance of both native and nonnative aquatic species (e.g., fish, frogs, snakes, crayfish, and turtles) at multiple locations within the Safford Field Office. Survey methods will include seines, backpack electroshockers, hoop-nets, and minnow traps.
• Conduct Fish monitoring to determine if certain biological or physical factors are affecting distribution and abundance of native species. Aquatic and riparian habitat monitoring will be conducted to detect change in habitat parameters that may affect distribution and composition of native aquatic organisms.
• Participate in invasive fish species control at Bonita and Aravaipa Creeks. Frog surveys will include locating and documenting current populations and identifying potential reintroduction sites.
• Determine the population size of yellow mud turtle at Howard's Well.
• Shadow other BLM professionals within the Gila District and learn about other disciplines (e.g., hydrology and range) will be provided and encouraged. Working with other disciplines will provide a general overview on how the different disciplines are connected and how they work together to accomplish work goals and objectives.

Requirements:

• Must be a Currently Enrolled Student. Recent graduates are not eligible for DHA positions. I.e. if you are graduating this year, before August 2024, you unfortunately do not qualify
• At least 18 years of Age.
• A valid driver's license, Driving Record check will be completed during on-boarding process. (Interns must be 21+ to drive agency vehicles).
• Ability to undergo a federal criminal history check

Selection Criteria: 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.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

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

Please note any and every position for which you want to be considered. We highly recommend applying for multiple positions.

To be considered, we require 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

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

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

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