VOLUNTEERING FOR THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT A Helpful Guide Bureau of Land Management (BLM) VOLUNTEER GUIDE A The success of a society lies in the willingness of its citizens to give of themselves, to perform or give a service of their own free will. The only “gift” is a portion of thyself. Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet and philosopher 1803-1882 Produced by Bureau of Land Management Education & Volunteers Group & BLM Volunteer Program Adjunct Team http://www.blm.gov/volunteer CONTENTS WELCOME TO THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (BLM). 1 ORIENTATION TO BLM . 1 BLM’S ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE ...........................................................3 INTRODUCTION TO THE BLM VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ............................................3 BLM VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHTS . 5 THE VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT ..................................................................5 SUPERVISOR’S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES . 7 VOLUNTEER IDENTIFICATION AND UNIFORM COMPONENTS .....................................7 VOLUNTEER EXPENSES AND REIMBURSEMENTS ..................................................9 LIMITATIONS ON VOLUNTEER DUTIES ...........................................................9 TIME AND ATTENDANCE/VOLUNTEER RECORDS. 9 TRAINING ..................................................................................... 11 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. 11 PROPERTY USE. 11 USE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT VEHICLES. 13 SAFETY. 13 INJURIES AND TORT CLAIMS . 15 VOLUNTEER EVALUATIONS . 15 IN CLOSING. 15 APPENDIX A REFERENCES AND FORMS . 17 APPENDIX B VOLUNTEER CONDUCT ............................................................ 19 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) VOLUNTEER GUIDE i BLM-managed lands ii Bureau of Land Management (BLM) VOLUNTEER GUIDE WELCOME TO THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT (BLM) Welcome to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)! caring for our nation’s natural and cultural resources. We’re glad that you have chosen to donate your time We also know that we will benefit from your unique and skills to BLM. Exciting opportunities await you as a background and skills. partner in the stewardship of America’s public lands. We hope your volunteer experience enriches your life The primary objective of this handbook is to give vol­ and provides an opportunity for service and learning. unteers an understanding of their role in helping BLM Please contact your supervisor or your office volunteer fulfill its mission of multiple-use resource management. coordinator if you have any questions or comments Whether you’re planting trees, erecting a fence, restoring about any part of your work. Again, our sincere thanks a historic area, or answering public inquiries, we’re for your help—and welcome aboard! confident that you will benefit from the experience of ORIENTATION TO BLM BLM is responsible for the use, protection, and develop­ national forests, and national wildlife refuges; military ment of resources under the principles of multiple use bases; and other Federal government facilities. and sustained yield. BLM administers 261 million acres of public lands primarily in Alaska, Arizona, California, BLM lands are managed for many uses. They supply Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, natural resources, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming (see the map other minerals. They also provide habitat for plants and on the left.) BLM also manages 700 million acres of animals, and open spaces for people to enjoy. And the Federally-owned mineral rights. contain evidence of our country’s past, too—from fossils to Indian artifacts to ghost towns. Most BLM-managed land consists of the remnants of public domain, the 1.5 billion acres of land that the nation BLM also is the custodian of the original patent and acquired during its westward expansion in the 18th and survey records for lands within 30 states, and is the final 19th centuries. Much of the original public domain is now authority on survey matters involving land formerly or owned by private interests and local and State governments. currently within the public domain. The remainder of the land consists of national parks, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) VOLUNTEER GUIDE 1 2 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) VOLUNTEER GUIDE BLM’S ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE BLM’s headquarters office is in Washington, D.C. In State Office resource specialists give technical guidance addition, there are 12 State Offices, each with its own to field personnel. State Offices and most Field Offices field-level offices, and three Centers. also maintain “public rooms” to allow visitors to examine records for public land transactions, including rights­ Most on-the-ground work is accomplished in Field of-way, State land grants, oil and gas leases, and mining Offices, where staffing reflects the area’s workload. claims. Also maintained in the public rooms are public Responsibility for resource programs lies with such land survey records. specialists as wildlife biologists, geologists, foresters, mining engineers, range conservationists, archaeologist s, If you wish to learn more about BLM and the BLM and recreation planners. These specialists formulate and Volunteer Program, please refer to the BLM national implement plans for developing and/or protecting the website at http://www.blm.gov, the BLM Volunteer area’s resources, and assist with leasing and other types Program website at http://www.blm.gov/volunteer, and of permitting for resource use. the Federal interagency Volunteer.gov website at http://www.volunteer.gov/gov. State Offices are responsible for BLM policy and budget matters, and provide a liaison between Field Offices and the Washington Office. INTRODUCTION TO THE BLM VOLUNTEER PROGRAM As a BLM volunteer, you are part of a cadre of thousands find a challenge in an office setting working with modern who help BLM fulfill its mission. Some of the rewards of automation systems. There are also opportunities to working with BLM include opportunities to learn new share information with the public at BLM’s education skills, meet interesting and highly motivated people, and and interpretive centers. No matter what your interests test your ability to perform jobs that need to be done. It are, you can gain valuable experience that will help you is our hope that your experience with BLM will enhance qualify for future jobs in the Federal government or your awareness, understanding, and appreciation of our private industry. natural and cultural resources. A wide range of diverse experiences await you The BLM Volunteer Program is an essential component as a BLM volunteer. Since the BLM Volunteer of the agency’s mission . The many thousands of hours Program began, volunteers have: volunteers donate each year make it possible for BLM • improved habitat for fish and wildlife to complete unfunded work that would otherwise not • assisted recreational visitors to the public lands be done. • staffed visitor centers • managed information and data You will have the opportunity to pursue your interests in • used Geographic Information Systems to produce maps beautiful and unique outdoor environments. Or you may Bureau of Land Management (BLM) VOLUNTEER GUIDE 3 • built and maintained trails and campgrounds your services through local recognition events or national • documented archaeological resources awards programs. • planted trees and other vegetation • improved watersheds BLM will provide you the tools, materials, and training • performed research to support mineral and energy needed to perform your volunteer duties. Depending on development the details of your job, you may have access to govern­ • surveyed lands ment vehicles, computers, office equipment, radios, and • and much more! other necessary items. Your volunteer agreement (see Appendix A, “References Finally, you may be reimbursed for some of your incidental and Forms”) describes your duties and responsibilities. expenses. Expenses for which you are not reimbursed You are considered a volunteer member of the BLM staff, may be tax-deductible. (See Internal Revenue Service and in some cases will wear a BLM volunteer uniform Publication 526 at http://www.irs.gov for information on and/or volunteer nameplate. You may be recognized for charitable contributions). 4 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) VOLUNTEER GUIDE BLM VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHTS BLM is delighted to promote volunteer success stories annual “Making a Difference” National Volunteer Awards and accomplishments whenever possible. For some of (http://www.blm.gov/volunteer/ feature/archive/index. the most outstanding from the past decade, please see html). In addition, the interagency “Take Pride in America” BLM’s Volunteer Annual Reports (http://www.blm.gov/ program also recognizes volunteer accomplishments; see volunteer/news/annreport/index.html) and articles on our http://www.tpia.gov for information. THE VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT During your orientation, you and your supervisor will The volunteer agreement may also address review your volunteer agreement (BLM Form 1114-4 the following: or 1114-5; see Appendix A, “References and Forms”). • Requirements for a background check and computer security training, if applicable (see “Training” and The volunteer agreement is your contract “Volunteer Identification and Uniform Components,” with the Federal government, and it contains below.) the following elements: • Reimbursement of expenses incidental to your volun­ • A description of the work that you agree to accom­ teer work (see “Volunteer Expenses and Reimburse­ plish. Your duties will be summarized in a written ments,”