BLM Natural Resource Specialist

Title:  Natural Resource Specialist 

Start/End Date: April 17 – October 13 

Stipend:  $687 per week 

Term:  24 weeks 

Reports To: Bureau of Land Management San Luis Valley Field Office 

Location:  Monte Vista, CO 

Status:  900-hour AmeriCorps Service Term  

Benefits:  AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,247.50 after successful completion  

Southwest Conservation Corps’ Mission  

It is the mission of the Southwest Conservation Corps to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities, and the environment.  

  Program Overview:  

The Southwest Conservation Corps’ Individual Placement team will help the Bureau of Land Management carry out its mission “to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations” through several projects. The Soil, Water, Riparian and Wetland program’s purpose is to promote healthy landscapes by protecting and maintaining vital resources in the community, while also collaborating with other programs, partners, agencies, and stakeholders on a landscape-scale restoration effort. The Individual Placement will be part of a conservation effort of natural resources that will target soil, water, and riparian wetlands.  

 Essential roles and responsibilities include: 

• Springs, wetlands, streams, soil erosion, riparian, and road/culvert conditions will be recorded using GPS units, field tablets and cameras 
•  Location, conditions, and other basic information will be recorded and entered into a GIS database. Groundwater level, temperature, and weather data need to be downloaded from existing field sensors 
• Stream temperature, pH, Conductivity, channel cross-section, and channel morphology data will be recorded throughout the watersheds located in SLVO 
• Monthly collection of sediment samplers and process the data to input into the National Wind Erosion Research Network (NWERN) website, including troubleshooting and assisting with maintenance of NWERN automated data collection devices as needed
• Monthly rain gauge data collection at 33 sites 
• Various watershed protection and restoration projects will need to be implemented. This may include erosion control, wetland irrigation, streambank stabilization and riparian corridor improvement 

Desired Skills/Qualifications:  

• Field and theoretical knowledge related hydrology, geology, water resource management, natural resources management, aquatic biology, or similar data collection experience. 
• Desire to work outdoors in all weather conditions; long days on foot will be expected 
• Some experience and work in basic field survey and monitoring methods 
• Basic map reading skills, GPS, collector apps, and GIS knowledge preferred 
• Strong background in the sciences and/or natural resources 

Training Provided:  

• BLM personnel will train the interns on data collection and reporting methodology 
• Outdoor field skills and safety, introduction to natural resources in the San Luis Valley Field Office, scientific and professional communications 
• Defensive driving and UTV driving training 

Potential Environmental/Human Risks: 

• Work outdoors in all weather conditions; long days on foot 
•  Driving on snow, difficult terrain, and muddy soil condition 

Housing Provided: No

Requirements:  

• High School Diploma or GED 
• U.S. Citizenship 
• Permanent Resident Card, INS form I-551 
• Alien Registration Card, INS form I-551 
• A passport indicating that the INS has approved it as temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence 
• A departure record (INS 194) indication that the INS has approved it as temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence 
• Driver's License 
• Per grant funding, candidate must be 18-30 years of age, up to 35 years of age if veteran status

Apply Now!  

To apply, please submit an updated resume and letter of interest along with the online application.  

Contact Niki Antonio with any questions. Nantonio@conservationlegacy.org 

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.