GSA Online Application System

 

 
 

Public Land Name:
BLM Rock Springs Field Office

Position Title:
Surface Compliance Technician (Fluid Minerals), DHA-RAI Program

Agency: BLM

Position Type: DHA

Position ID Number:
2019820

Location:
Rock Springs, WY

Accepting Applications? No

# of current Applicants: 0

Position Description:
Please visit our website for more instructions on applying. Make sure to complete a GeoCorps application, and e-mail your unofficial transcript and contact info for three (3) references to geocorps@geosociety.org. Include the full name, e-mail address and phone number for at least one reference of each type: professional, educational and personal.
Unlike other Geocorps positions, you do NOT need recommendation letters, and you do NOT need to write a cover letter for each position. Cover letters are not required (optional).


The Rock Springs Field Office provides oversight of actions related to the realty of fluid minerals. The volume of authorizations, current staff vacancies and limited summer field season make it a challenge to meet the inspection needs of the field office related to this work. This project will address the need for more follow-up inspections to adequately address whether action items identified in the initial inspections have been completed appropriately. In addition, the project will address the large need for compliance inspections identified by realty staff at the field office. The DHA intern will help complete follow-up surface inspections for fluid minerals staff, and address the large number of realty compliance inspections. This work will aid existing staff in completing inspection duties and allow them to focus on completing new authorizations.

Goals, outcomes, and deliverables:
In the first week, field office staff will introduce the intern to safety, vehicle and project responsibilities and obtain safety equipment. In the following weeks, the intern will complete a field orientation with the Realty Specialist and learn how to complete inspections. The intern will learn how to update and maintain database information and physical files related to inspection work, and they will be trained on how to complete Right-Of-Way (ROW) compliance inspections and follow-up correspondence. The Supervisory Natural Resources Specialist will also train the intern on how to complete surface fluid mineral inspections, as well as complete the documentation using the database and physical files. At the end of the internship, the intern will give a final presentation to field office staff and managers on the results/contributions of their work.

Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.):
The project coordinator will introduce the intern to field office managers and staff members, as well as the Supervisory Natural Resources Specialist (SNRS) and Realty Specialist who will provide daily oversight of the project. The project coordinator will introduce overall project goals, coordinate training, provide means of obtaining personal protective equipment (PPE), tools to complete project, on-boarding, assess project progress, guide coordination of the final presentation, complete intern’s evaluation, and address issues as they arise. Initial interaction will be frequent (daily). As the intern becomes acclimated, interaction will be weekly. The intern will primarily interact with BLM personnel. However, the intern may interact with external Right-Of-Way holders and oil and gas company representatives as needed to obtain additional documentation. Daily interaction would be with realty and fluid minerals staff members.

Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.):
The intern will receive training from BLM specialists on how to carry out and document surface compliance inspections related to fluid minerals. The intern will have the opportunity to engage in occasional field trips, including a possible mine tour and field trips with a Cultural Specialist, Wildlife Biologist, Recreation Specialist and Range Management Specialist at the field office.

The Rock Springs Field Office Minerals & Lands Division also has three vacancies: a Realty Specialist, Natural Resource Specialist (NRS) and Petroleum Engineering Technician (PET). The field office has hosted four DHA interns over the past three years. Additionally, the RSFO has successfully hired three DHA interns over the past three years. DHA interns have been actively engaged in BLM work and have provided meaningful work products that allow the field office to complete tasks important to attaining its goals and the BLM mission.

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 formally present their work to Rock Springs Field Office staff and managers 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. There will be cubicle space and computers available.

Qualifications:
Qualified applicants will have:

  • Ability to work independently in the field with minimal supervision after the initial training period.
  • Ability to navigate using a GPS, topographical maps, compass, etc. Computer literate; capable of using GIS, tablets.
  • Capability of independent problem solving, self-motivated.
  • 1-2 years of any experience with field work

Candidates must feel comfortable driving a 4WD vehicle on unimproved (unmaintained) dirt roads. Familiarity with vegetation and weeds is helpful. Completion of coursework towards a science-related degree (i.e. geology, biology, natural resource management or a related field) is helpful.

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