Internship – BLM Ironwood National Monument Tucson, Arizona
Duties:
The SCC intern will work together with another intern and/or BLM personnel to mitigate the environmental and visual impacts of illegal migrant- and drug-smuggling on Ironwood Forest National Monument (IFNM). Project work primarily includes patrolling for and removing trash, but also rehabilitation of unauthorized roads, sign installation, and fence repair. Secondary projects implement the IFNM Resource Management Plan through closure and rehabilitation of roads, creation of information portals, and installation of gates or cattleguards. You will also coordinate and lead volunteer and/or youth intern crews in accomplishing these types of projects.
After orientation and security clearances, you will be expected to navigate the IFNM with another intern and/or BLM employee using a GPS and topographic maps, traveling on primitive 4x4 roads. Drive time from vehicle staging area to the IFNM is about 1.5 hours, with up to 2 additional hours of driving to reach project sites.
You will document conditions before and after projects, enter data weekly into online and network databases, and create an annual report of accomplishments. The Field Office is a 0.5 hour drive from the vehicle staging area. Together with another intern and/or the park ranger, you will compile data in ArcGIS to plan implementation of projects.
You will maintain and inventory tools and supplies as needed and prepare equipment for volunteer projects. This job includes close coordination with law enforcement rangers and other BLM personnel, as safety is highly emphasized when conducting project work in areas with active immigration.
Occasional opportunities for cross training exist in a variety of disciplines within the Bureau of Land Management, along with partnering with other agencies such as the National Park Service or Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Location:
Ironwood Forest National Monument (IFNM) is paradoxically rugged and undeveloped while being located next to the second-largest populated city in Arizona. IFNM consists of over 128,000 acres of Sonoran desert including ironwood trees, saguaro cactus, rugged mountain peaks, iconic views, and historic and archaeological objects. It is home to the endangered Nichols Turks Head Cactus and Lesser Long-nosed Bat. There are no developed facilities on IFNM. http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/natmon/ironwood.html
Tucson is a large, diverse city with a packed year-round arts and cultural events calendar, blossoming culinary and nightlife scenes, plus 350 days of sunshine per year.
Requirements:
A background investigation is required for this position. Hiking is required for this position. Interns should be physically fit and able to carry up to 50 pounds while hiking at least one mile.
Interns must be comfortable working remote outdoor locations under challenging conditions, primarily extreme temperatures.
A valid state driver’s license is required for this position. Four-wheel drive training will be provided.
Interns must be available to work on weekends, with potential for regular weekend work.
Participants in this program will be enrolled as AmeriCorps National Service Members and, upon completion of the program, will be eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award of $2775. The AmeriCorps award can be used for continuing education costs at two and four-year institutions as well as many technical, trade and outdoor education schools. It can also be used to pay qualified student loans and all AmeriCorps members are eligible for Loan Forbearance during their term of service. For more information on the Education award, visit www.edaward.org
The position will begin in September of 2013 and continue for 38 weeks.
Weekly Stipend: $495/week.
TO APPLY:
Send Resume and Cover Letter to Jenna Rosengren at [email protected] with subject line “BLM Ironwood Intern.” You may contact Jenna with questions at 520-275-0583.