GSA Online Application System

 

 
 

Public Land Name:
BLM Carlsbad Field Office

Position Title:
Cave Physical Science Technician, DHA-RAI Program

Agency: BLM

Position Type: DHA

Position ID Number:
2019803

Location:
Carlsbad, NM

Accepting Applications? No

# of current Applicants: 0

Position Description:
This Carlsbad Field Office (CFO) is looking for a highly motivated, detailed oriented Physical Science Technician to assist the CFO Cave Specialist. Over the course of the 11-week internship, you’ll gain valuable hands-on training and experience in the development and implementation of best management practices, NEPA compliance, and program management from the perspective of cave and karst resource management. Responsibilities will vary based on experience and interest, but could include surveying caves, conducting resource inventories, photo monitoring, bat counts, ridge walking, and cave database management. If you’re more of a people person you could help out with energy permitting, assist with the recreational cave program, and participating/organizing educational public outreach events under the guidance of the CFO resource staff.

Goals, outcomes, and deliverables:
Based on the interest of the intern and their experience over the first eight weeks they will work with the Intern Supervisor to develop a resource management project that will benefit the CFO and will contribute to other ongoing resource management projects. The remainder of the internship will be focused on project completion. The intern will finalize their assigned resource management project, conduct post-workshop review, discuss the successes/failures of the internship and make recommendations for future workshops, and conduct the exit interview with their supervisor.

Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.):
The intern will work closely with the CFO Cave Specialist at the beginning of their appointment, and they will be in contact on a daily basis. The intern will also gain hands on experience working within an interdisciplinary team environment, consisting of Natural Resource Specialists, Biologists, Archaeologists, Range Management Specialists, Hydrologists, and Cave/Karst Specialists from the CFO. Each interdisciplinary team member will reinforce the importance of properly managing our natural resources and the need for protecting resources for the enjoyment of future generations.

The intern will also interact with external oil and gas representatives, third-party contractors, Cave Specialists from the National Park Service (Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns) and US Forest Service, the NM State Recreation Lead for the BLM, NM Threatened & Endangered Species Lead, the local Soil & Water Conservation district, special interest groups, as well as many other local organizations.

Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.):
The first few weeks will be devoted to training and working with individuals from the mineral and resources departments within the office to learn how oil and gas development requests are received, processed and analyses for NEPA compliance. They will have the opportunity shadow the various resource specialists to familiarize themselves with the best management practices to protect resources potentially effected by the oil and gas drilling and exploration activities. The remainder of the appointment will consist of assisting the Cave Specialist with day-to-day operations, including resource identification, monitoring and inventory. As the intern develops familiarity with the various resources they will begin to take on more responsibility in the form of greater independence carrying out job related tasks.

At the conclusion of the 11-week appointment our goal is to the Physical Science Technician intern will have learned how resource managers within a multi-use federal agency manage their resources in concert with oil & gas exploration and development. You would leave with a deeper understanding of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and how it is implemented in the CFO. You would also gain hands on experience working within an interdisciplinary team environment, consisting of Natural Resource Specialists, Biologists, Archaeologists, Range Management Specialists, Hydrologists, and Cave/Karst Specialists from the CFO. Each interdisciplinary team member will reinforce the importance of properly managing our natural resources and the need for protecting resources for the enjoyment of future generations.

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 finalize their assigned resource management project, conduct post-workshop review, discuss the successes/failures of the internship and make recommendations for future workshops, and conduct the exit interview with their supervisor. 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 adequate office space for the assigned intern. The intern may occasionally be required to conduct field work under supervision of the various resource specialists. Therefore, they need to be comfortable working in adverse weather conditions/temperatures.

Qualifications:
Qualified applicants will be pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree program in environmental science; natural resources; physical sciences (e.g., geosciences, biological sciences) are preferred. The ideal candidate would be a team player with extensive experience working with ArcGIS (or similar program), conducting cave surveys (including digital cartography), and performing surface and in-cave resource inventories. A strong background in cave geology and/or karst hydrology is preferred, but not required.

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