PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST – LANDS AND MINERALS RESOURCE ASSISTANT

+--------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | Length: | Term of positions is 32 weeks; | | | full-time 40 hrs./wk. | +--------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | Location: | USFS Prescott Ranger Station (344 S. | | | Cortez Street, Prescott, AZ 86303) | +--------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | Living Allowance: | $15.00/hour + $1000/month housing | | | allowance | | | | | | ($20.77/hour over 40-hour work-week) | +--------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | Start Date: | Negotiable. Preferred early November | +--------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | Application Due Date: | Preference given to applicants that | | | submit application by 9/30/2022 | +--------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | Title of Position | Lands and Minerals Resource | | | Assistant | +--------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+

POSITION DETAILS

Stewards Individual Placement Program (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health.

Stewards in partnership with the Prescott National Forest (PNF) are seeking an intern who will work with the Forest’s Lands and Minerals Special Uses program. The Lands and Minerals Special Uses program oversees and administers a vast array of both Lands Special Use authorizations and Mineral Materials contracts ranging from Mineral Materials community pits, commercial operations for decorative landscape stone, etc., utility and commodity related uses on National Forest System lands such as commercial and/or private communications sites and facilities, electric power transmission and distribution corridors, railroad rights-of-ways, high-pressure natural gas transmission pipelines, and private lands access easements, research and scientific collection permits, etc.

The selected Resource Assistant (RA) will have the opportunity to cultivate their skillset within the Lands Special Uses and Minerals administration programs by shadowing Forest Service staff, assisting the Forest with the processing and backlog of Special Use permits, assisting with expired Special Use authorizations, administering Mineral Materials permits/contracts/billing, and conducting on-the-ground inspections of the facilities/improvements that the Special Use authorizations and/or Minerals contracts are issued for. These physical inspections will ensure that ongoing/routine/periodic upkeep and maintenance activities are not having any negative impacts to the Forest’s natural resources. The RA will also have additional opportunities to work with and/or shadow other Forest natural resource program areas such as Wildlife, Botany, Hydrology and Soils, Timber resources, Minerals management, Fire and Fuels management, Law Enforcement & Investigations, Engineering, Roads, Facilities, etc. No housing is available for this position.

All tasks will have COVID-19 mitigation strategies to reduce the spread in the local community. The intern must be willing to adhere to current CDC standards, in addition to USFS/Prescott National Forest and Conservation Legacy COVID-19 Policies and Procedures.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS:

• Assist with processing of backlogged Lands Special Uses casefiles and expired permits; enter applications into database.
• Perform field inspections of various authorized facilities and associated improvements.
• Update databases with Special Uses administration renewal/reissuance data.
• Perform queries and identify data in need of clean-up for permits that are expired or expiring; clean up data as required.
• Compile list of permits in need of renewal; gather all permit folders at Forest Supervisor’s Office.
• Research and scan necessary documents for permit authorizations.
• Work with specialists on questions, reports, and associated documentation.
• Prepare and send permit packages with associated documentation for final review and execution.
• Maintain, update, and provide documentation for administrative files for all authorizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned to gain exposure to the work of the USDA Forest Service.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to communicate clearly and interact with the public, user groups, and agency staff.
• General computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to take initiative and work alone or in small groups with minimal supervision.
• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and should possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Holding or currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, university, or trade school.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are highly desired.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc... May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis.
• The work requires walking and climbing in steep, uneven terrain, exposure to adverse weather and insects, performing physical labor. Work is performed outdoors where there is exposure to extremes of weather and temperature, in both established administrative areas and wilderness areas.
• Ability to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 PARTICIPATION AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR:

• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.
• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program.
• Appropriately represent AmeriCorps, Arizona Conservation Corps, and the U.S. Forest Service at all times, including properly wearing the agency uniform.

 SAFETY AND JUDGEMENT:

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of dangers others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury, or need of assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
• Assigned duties will require the use of safety equipment such as tools, gloves, goggles, face cover and face shield, and hard hat.
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises that may arise.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS:

• Learn, practice, and communicate “Leave No Trace” techniques.

SUBSTANCE FREE:

• In accordance with drug free workplace policies, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

HOUSING AVAILABILITY:

• Government-provided housing is not available for this position. Although there is plenty of housing available in the Prescott, AZ and Prescott Valley, AZ areas, finding affordable housing in the “Quad City” area of Arizona can be problematic and the cost of available housing can be prohibitive.
• Candidates already located in the Prescott/Prescott Valley area will be strongly considered

BENEFITS

• $1000/month housing allowance (pre-tax)
• $50/monthly commuting reimbursement. (pre-tax)
• $2750.00 Professional Development and Training fund.
• Eligible for USFS Direct Hire Authority upon completion of 960 hours
• Training specific to position

HOW TO APPLY: Apply on-line at: https://stewardslegacy.org/open-positions.  In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

*The USFS Resource Assistant Program (RAP) is a rigorous, immersive, paid internship providing developmental and training opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about Forest Service careers. After completing a minimum of 960 hours of satisfactory work and an associate degree, RA’s may acquire a two-year certificate of noncompetitive hiring eligibility. The certificate enables participants to apply to internal merit announcements for qualifying permanent General Schedule FS positions.

Please contact Roddy Cobb at rcobb@conservationlegacy.org with any questions.

Stewards Individual Placements Program does not and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Required Skills Required Experience

REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

Successful members of the Quality Technician team can balance priorities, administrative abilities, problems solving and continuous improvement methodologies to achieve more effective and capable processes. An ideal background leading to success in this role would include experience in root cause analysis and corrective/preventative action methods in a manufacturing setting.