Range Technician 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 a Range Technician - Direct Hire Authority 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

Schedule: Schedules on field days could vary with start times as early as 5:00 AM to avoid the worst of the heat during the summer months.

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: Phoenix, AZ

Position Description:

The intern(s) will assist the Rangeland Management Specialist with field work including assessing range improvement integrity and quality and conducting field surveys to evaluate range improvement coordinates are accurate in our GIS shapefiles. In office work would include using coordinates from paper data to complete a database of vegetation monitoring locations and converting it into a shapefile or geodatabase feature class in ArcPro. The intern would also work on review scanned files and note which archived files were not scanned by a third party. Other duties may include coordinating with wildlife biologists and technicians on projects, assisting in preparing or reviewing land health evaluations, or data entry. Students will contribute to Land Health Evaluations and/or Environmental Assessments to reauthorize grazing. They will also be exposed to evaluating solar project plans of development and/or NEPA documents. Interns will contribute to interdisciplinary work including collaborations with other state and federal agencies, BLM wildlife biologists, and GIS professionals.

The BLM Arizona-Phoenix District-Lower Sonoran Field Office is facing a backlog of rangeland work in part due to increased workload associated with solar project evaluations, personnel shortages, and litigation settlement conformance. As a result, important tasks have been delayed or fallen through the cracks. In addition, recent discoveries in our GIS layers suggest errors. The goals for the project include:

1) Assist the Rangeland Management Specialist (RMS) in assessing the functionality of range improvements. This includes hiking fence lines, evaluating corrals, and water developments, taking notes and communicating with permittees the needs for upkeep.

2) Ensuring the accuracy of our Range GIS Layers by using ESRI Field Maps to digitize all the improvements during inspections. Then, upload and comparing field data collected to the current shapefiles.

3) Digitizing the vegetation monitoring locations using coordinates on paper data sheets.

4) Reviewing Range Improvement files to ensure accurate naming of range improvements based on legal land descriptions.

5) Contribute to Land Health Evaluations by creating maps, downloading soil, weather, and ecological site descriptions for allotments and creating charts, figures, and text.

6) Expose interns to Interdisciplinary Teams working on Environmental Assessments (EA) and Environmental Impact Statements which may include reviewing public comments

7) Assist with tabulating public comments for Grazing Reauthorization EAs.

8) Compare digitized range files to the paper files to ensure they were scanned

9) Input or download monitoring data to central database

Mandatory 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 2023, 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

Preferred

• have coursework or experience in topics such as botany, ecology, rangeland management, natural resources, environmental science or GIS
• demonstrate a history of good interpersonal skills or customer service experience.

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 up to or over 100 degrees, rocky terrain, 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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