GSA Online Application System

 

 
 

Public Land Name:
BLM Alaska State Office

Position Title:
Navigable Waters Specialist, DHA-RAI Program

Agency: BLM

Position Type: DHA

Position ID Number:
2019801

Location:
Anchorage, AK

Accepting Applications? No

# of current Applicants: 0

Position Description:
This navigability project directly relates to both historic and/or cultural resource management and natural resource management. The selected DHA RAI will gather evidence related to water bodies in Alaska, and their potential for use as routes of travel, trade, and commerce. Currently, this program has an exciting opportunity for an intern to undergo a rigorous research project that involves both field work and research to create a report for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The student will assist the Senior Navigable Waters Specialist by researching water bodies for evidence of navigability through review of historical records, remote field work by air or by boats, data input, and writing reports. Special research assignment could include investigating raft design differences at the time of Alaska's statehood versus modern designs or identify boats used for commerce by region statewide at the time of statehood. The project report expected at the end of the internship would likely include a critical review of historical navigability documents to populate an existing database, and/or create maps to be included in reports. The BLM is looking to develop new candidates to potentially grow themselves into a future permanent position in this program.

Goals, outcomes, and deliverables:
The intern will alternate between conducting field work to inspect water bodies in remote Alaska, and returning to the office to write a field trip report. The intern will assist in the writing and editing of the navigability finding report. The intern will also complete their own research project, and engage in scanning and inputting data into the project database. The project report expected at the end of the internship would likely include a critical review of historical navigability documents to populate an existing database and/or create maps to be included in reports.

Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.):
Intern will be supported throughout the internship and will work closely with the project coordinator. There will be daily communication between the intern and the current Navigable Waters Specialist, who will be mentoring the position. Communication can be in-person or electronic. The intern will also interact with staff from the State of Alaska, Alaska Native ANCSA corporations, other federal agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the general public.

Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.):
The intern will be closely mentored by the Senior Navigable Waters Specialist in the position. There will be an orientation at the beginning of the position. The first 2-3 weeks will be focused on the training needed for the position, including first aid/CPR, basic aviation safety requirements, bear safety, defensive driving, and possibly swift water rescue, etc. The BLM is looking to develop new candidates to potentially grow themselves into a future permanent position in this program.

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 project report expected at the end of the internship would likely include a critical review of historical navigability documents to populate an existing database and/or create maps to be included in reports. 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 and phone access. Office work includes extensive periods of sitting, concentration, reading, analyzing various forms of data, occasional travel to other work sites: libraries, archives, rural/urban locales.

Qualifications:
The position requires extensive periods of sitting, concentration, long hours of research, reading, and analyzing various forms of data. It also requires occasional travel to other sites, including libraries and archives, with possible travel to rural and urban locations which may involve the risks or discomforts associated with traveling to remote locations in Alaska. Applicants pursuing (or have very recently earned) a degree in geology, hydrology, geography, history, law, archaeology, environmental studies, outdoor studies or a related field are preferred.

Qualified applicants will have:

  • General knowledge of automated data systems
  • Ability to perform data entry and other digital processing
  • Ability to meet and communicate effectively with people of various cultures and backgrounds
  • Skills in written communication, including accurate application of grammar, format, and citations
  • Skill in establishing and maintaining administrative records, including data management

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