BLM Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail – Wilderness Internship

American Conservation Experience:
BLM Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail – Wilderness Internship

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nationwide Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bakersfield Field Office, is seeking twointerns to dedicate 6-months to the management, restoration and protection of the area’s diverse and significant natural and cultural resources. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young professionals with a deep interest in advancing their career goals by further developing this dynamic program.

Start Date: As soon as filled
End Date: August 5, 2011

A 6-month commitment is required.

Location: The Bakersfield Field Office has stewardship responsibility for approximately 1.7 million acres of public land in and around the southern Sierra Nevadas.

Project Partner Website: For more information on the BLM Bakersfield field office please visit their website at: www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield.html

Compensation: $175/week living stipend. Housing is not provided, but a $400/mo housing allowance will be included. Intern will also receive a one-time bonus of $1100 upon successful completion of the internship.

Position Description: The ACE wilderness interns will organize and coordinate field work within the BLM and partner organizations, and will prioritize overall duties as established by the supervisor. The interns will work on many aspects of National Scenic Trail and Wilderness management, including patrol of Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCNST), Wilderness boundaries and dispersed recreation sites associated with these resources. Workload is divided between monitoring, maintenance and inventory activities.

Monitoring
Monitoring will be conducted along the pacific crest trail and other parts of the wilderness. Interns will interact with wilderness users. They will coordinate tasks with BLM Wilderness Managers and Law Enforcement as the need arises.

Maintenance
Maintenance of the PCNST, Wilderness boundaries and dispersed recreation sites will be conducted as the need arises. The interns may be required to work with the PCNST Volunteer Groups and coordinate their work. Basic maintenance task will include signing wilderness boundaries, maintaining wilderness and informational kiosks, site clean-up and trail maintenance.

Inventory
Ongoing inventory of trail condition and data collection on wilderness characteristics will be conducted. Interns are expected to use GPS equipment and field notes to record findings and prepare GIS information and reports as requested.

Work is predominately a field position – 75% of the time will be spent in an outdoor setting. The climate is generally arid. Temperatures frequently exceed 90 degrees during the summer months, and drop to 40 degrees in the winter months. Protective footgear, such as hard-toed boots may be required for protection from rattlesnake bites. The ACE interns may be required to work in remote areas of the field office. This includes driving four-wheel drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and hikes of up to 4 miles over rough, uneven terrain. Walking, digging holes, painting, posting signs, and other general maintenance work will be required. Extensive bending, stooping, kneeling and lifting up to 50 pounds is required. The remaining 25% of the time will be spent in office or public meeting facilities. Interns are expected to work 40 hours/week. Interns must be willing to work varied schedules throughout the spring and summer.

Project Background and Objectives: Individuals selected for this position will serve as interns for the BLM Bakersfield Field Office. The objective of this internship is to provide meaningful experiences for youth while also providing a benefit to public land resources and users. Interns will gain job skills related to the management of public lands by working with land managers on various projects. Participants will be instilled with an appreciation of natural resources, the benefits of cooperation, hard work and a sense of accomplishment with emphasis on a sound work ethic that will supplement their other educational opportunities.

Qualifications:
Applicants must have a degree in biological sciences, Wilderness management and/or Policy, agriculture, natural resource management, recreation resource management, botany, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. A combination of relevant education and appropriate experience is also acceptable. Resumes must contain enough information to show that the applicant meets the experience as defined in the internship announcement.

Required Skills:

• Internship is available to US Citizens and Green Card holders only
• Intern must be between the age of 18 and 26
• Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to provide documentation; personal vehicle required
• Intern must have personal medical insurance for the duration of their participation with ACE
• Ability and willingness to undergo a criminal background check is required

Qualifications Desired

• Interest in national trail and/or wilderness management
• Ability to backpack for multiple tours in a Wilderness environment (tours last up to nine days)
• Experience with Wilderness camping and Leave No Trace principals
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to interact with Wilderness visitors
• Ability to work alone/in a small group with minimal supervision
• Some experience with use of GPS unit
• Experienced photographer, photo editing and ESRI ARCMap / Google Earth desirable
• Experience driving four wheel drive vehicles over rugged roads

The interns must be willing to represent ACE and the BLM in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. Drug users, including recreational smokers of marijuana, should not consider applying, as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.

To Apply:

Please email a resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references in one document to gro.noitavresnocasunull@nretni with “BLM Bakersfield PCT/Wilderness Intern – ESA referred” in the subject heading of your email. The position announcement closes when filled; early consideration will be given as resumes are received. Please apply ASAP if interested.