GSA Online Application System

 

 
 

Public Land Name:
BLM Nevada State Office

Position Title:
Land Law Examiner, DHA-RAI Program

Agency: BLM

Position Type: DHA

Position ID Number:
2019812

Location:
Reno, NV

Accepting Applications? No

# of current Applicants: 0

Position Description:
The incumbent will be assisting the staff of geologists, the petroleum engineer and technician, and land law examiners to help (1) create units for new geothermal leases and plants and (2) issue new leases. The incumbent will assist the geologists and engineer in updating the Automated Fluid Minerals Support System (AMFSS) and Geothermal Resources Automated Support System (GRASS) database. Also, the incumbent will assist the team of land law examiners in verifying that lands are available for leasing for the upcoming oil, gas and geothermal lease sales. Nevada has one of most active geothermal program in the BLM. In the 11 weeks, the incumbent will learn complex legal land status determinations, decision writing using plain language, and how to handle answering administrative protests, appeals, contests, and hearing actions. The incumbent will have experience in explaining the mechanics of IBLA appeals process (Interior Board of Land Appeals), adjudicating federal bonds according to current laws and regulations, issuing Federal Oil and Gas and Geothermal Competitive and Noncompetitive Leases, and handling both pre and post-lease actions (terminations, assignments, reinstatements, etc).

Goals, outcomes, and deliverables:
The intern will learn fluid minerals 101, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 101, and shadow the supervisory land law examiner. The intern will also assist the lead petroleum engineer in processing Oil and Gas Units Agreements, Communization Agreements, Applications for Permit to Drill (APDs), Bond Reviews, and learn how to enter information into the GRASS/AMFSS database. The intern will continue to enter well and plant data into the AMFSS/GRASS database. The intern will attend geothermal plant inspections, and visit oil and gas wells with the state petroleum engineering technician (PET). The intern will assist the lead geothermal geologist with Geothermal Unit Agreements and entering geothermal plant data into the GRASS/AMFSS database. The intern will assist the adjudication staff with the June online lease sale process. In addition, the intern will assist the adjudication lease sale leads on the September oil and gas lease sale, and the October geothermal lease sale, and sale reviews. The intern will ultimately learn how to write decisions on lease suspensions and terminations, and assist the oil and gas geologist on compiling protest responses on the lease sales. The intern will read and comment on the NEPA documents for the September lease sale, and provide comments to the lead geologist.

Agency involvement (project oversight, mentoring, team building, etc.):
The candidate will report to and receive assignments from the supervisory land law examiner, and work in collaboration with the State Office Fluid Minerals team of specialists and land law examiners. The incumbent will interact with internal customers on a daily basis as well as external customers with requests come in. There will be possible visits to geothermal plants as well as producing gas well. Travel will be on a case-by-case basis.

Professional development & learning opportunities: (trainings, certifications, networking, etc.):
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:
Participant is encouraged to present the results of their work 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 know GIS and be able to understand legal land status. Completion of GIS coursework is preferred. Applicants pursuing (or have very recently earned) a degree in business, real estate, paralegal, law and pre-law or a related field are 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 exceed 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):
A valid state-issued driver’s license is NOT required to perform the duties of the internship.

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