GSA Online Application System

 

 
 

Public Land Name:
BLM New Mexico State Office

Position Title:
Geology and/or GIS Specialist, DHA-RAI Program

Agency: BLM

Position Type: DHA

Position ID Number:
2019815

Location:
Santa Fe, NM

Accepting Applications? No

# of current Applicants: 0

Position Description:
The Bureau of Land (BLM) New Mexico State Office (NMSO) would welcome a paleontology intern student for the summer of 2019. The successful candidate should have an interest in New Mexico geology, fossils, and geographic information systems (GIS). This individual should have good work ethics, good time management skills, problem solving capabilities, work independently and unsupervised for portions of their internship, and good communication skills with other BLM specialists.

The paleontology intern student will receive an overview of an NMSO paleontologist duties. This will include reading current BLM regulations, agreements, policies, manuals, and handbooks; participating in resource meetings; assisting with GIS database management of the Potential Fossil Yield Classification (PFYC) and paleontological locality data; and reviews for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents.

The paleontology intern will also be assigned a project to be completed upon conclusion of the internship. The project relates to BLM’s PFYC database initiative and fossil data collection. There are two aspects to this project: (1) The intern would aid the BLM Regional Paleontologist in researching geological formations and entering the data into the existing PFYC database to determine the likelihood of a formation to yield fossils. (2) The intern would assist in setting up the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data collection method/format for Paleontological Localities using the app Collector for ArcGIS and/or Survey123.Upon completion of the project, paleontology intern would complete a “how to guide” for using Collector for ArcGIS and/or Survey123 app as a final product for the project.

This project will support the NMSO in fulfilling its responsibilities under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and Paleontological Resource Preservation Act (PRPA). The intern will gain invaluable knowledge regarding how paleontological resources are identified, documented, and managed. This internship will provide experience and education in laws, policy, and GIS. The goal of this internship is to support the paleontological resources managed by the NMSO and to assist the intern in career development and experience.

Goals, outcomes, and deliverables:
The first few weeks will include (1) readings of relevant and current legislation, BLM policies, handbooks, manuals, and protocols, and (2) becoming familiar with the PFYC database and the project data. The intern will research geological formations and incorporate their findings into the database. The rest of the internship will focus on helping set up the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data collection method/format for paleontological localities using the app Collector for ArcGIS and/or Survey123. The intern will create a collection format for the collector app and test it. The intern will also write a “how to” guide for collecting data from start to finish using the collector app, and submit their report to the NMSO Regional Paleontologist for review and edits. The intern will present their project to the State Director and office staff using a PowerPoint presentation. The intern will also attend biweekly meetings for NMSO Resources staff.

Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.):
The intern will be supervised by NMSO Regional Paleontologist on a weekly basis for work progress, mentoring, and to work through any issues that might arise. The intern will interact with other NMSO specialists from other programs. Attendance at biweekly office meetings, and internal interdisciplinary team meetings will familiarize the intern with staff in other disciplines.

Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.):
The intern will gain invaluable knowledge regarding how paleontological resources are identified, documented, and managed. This internship will provide experience and education in laws, policy, and GIS. The goal of this internship is to support the paleontological resources managed by the NMSO and to assist the intern in career development and experience. The intern will also have the opportunity to shadow other NMSO specialists to learn about other resources and projects.

The DHA Resource Assistant Internship (DHA-RAI) Program at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a specialized internship opportunity within the Department of the Interior (DOI). The internships bring new and diverse viewpoints to the BLM while working on specific projects targeted for attracting, recruiting, and filling mission-critical and hard-to-fill occupations. The objective of the internship is to build a pathway towards employment in the DOI for highly-motivated students in higher education.

DHA-RA interns who successfully complete the internship requirements will receive a two-year eligibility period (starting from their degree completion date) during which they can be non-competitively hired by the DOI. Successful completion of the internship does not guarantee that the participant will be hired into a federal position. For more information, please visit the BLM Direct Hire Program website.

Leadership Development:
The intern will participate in rigorous projects that focus skills and reveal the work qualities of the individual. The internship project provides the opportunity for the intern to develop or apply personal responsibility in their work. The rigorous schedule of the internship helps develop project management skills. The intern will also work with multiple stakeholders in their project, which will help the intern develop/demonstrate communication skills, and experience navigating organizational hierarchies.

Presenting Project Results:
The intern will present the findings from their project to the State Director and office staff using a PowerPoint presentation near the conclusion of the internship. Participant is also encouraged to present their results at a GSA Annual Meeting or GSA Section Meeting.

Physical/Natural Environment:
See the BLM office's website for more information.

Work Environment:
Office environment will have a workstation/desk/chairs, computer or laptop, printer, Internet access, and phone access.

Qualifications:
Qualified applicants will have coursework and/or experience working with paleontological resources and with GIS (specifically ESRI products). Applicants pursuing a degree program in geology and/or geography are preferred. Students who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree in geology or related field, and are working on their graduate degree are preferred.

Candidates should demonstrate interest or experience in the following areas:

  • Skill development
  • Real-world problem solving
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Project management
  • Communication skills
  • Strong work ethic and independence
  • Teamwork and collaboration

In order to be eligible for a DHA-RA Internship, participants must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident (“green-card-holder”). The DHA-RA internship focuses on ensuring the full representation of women and participants from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) or other schools with diverse student populations, to include African Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans, Hispanics, Veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Applicants must be enrolled in, or recently graduated from an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree program at an accredited institution of higher education. Students enrolled in a graduate certificate program are not eligible to participate in DHA-RA Internships with the BLM. To qualify as a recent graduate, the student’s official graduation date cannot be more than six (6) months prior to June 3, 2019.

Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required.

Vehicle / Driver's License Requirement (If applicable):
Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.

Please note many GeoCorps projects are in remote locations, where a vehicle is necessary or highly recommended for transportation and access to amenities (exceptions include the Washington D.C. area, Alaska, and Hawaii).

Position Dates:
06/03/2019 to 08/16/2019; alternate start date must be pre-approved

Position Duration: 11 weeks, 40 hours/week; applicants must be able to complete 11 full weeks

Hourly Wage: $15.00/hour + $660 allowance for commuting expenses; participant also receives round-trip travel reimbursement up to $700.

Housing Details:
Free, on-site agency housing is generally NOT available. Participants will use a portion of their wage to cover costs of a local rental. If desired, GSA and the agency can provide assistance in locating suitable housing. The selected participant is encouraged to discuss the housing situation with local agency staff.

If you have questions about the application and selection process, please contact GSA's GeoCorps managers.  If you have questions about any aspect of the position — description, qualifications, housing, dates — please direct them to the contact(s) listed in the project description. Remember, application materials can only be submitted online. The project contact(s) will not accept application materials sent to them via e-mail, mail, fax, etc. See the full program details at the GeoCorps homepage.

PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Lesley Petrie
Education and Outreach Program Coordinator
3300 Penrose Place
Boulder, CO 80301
 (303) 357-1097
 lpetrie@geosociety.org
Website

SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION
Matthew Dawson
Education Programs Manager
3300 Penrose Place
Boulder, CO 80301
 (303) 357-1025
 mdawson@geosociety.org
Website