TITLE: Helium Program Assistant Intern (1 position)

START/END DATE: February 1, 2021- January 28, 2022

STIPEND: $500/week (+Education Award)

TERM: 52 weeks

REPORTS TO: Sheila Mallory (DSD Minerals)

LOCATION: BLM New Mexico State Office (301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87508)

STATUS: 1700-hr AmeriCorps Service Term. Full-time, Seasonal, Exempt (75% office work and 25% off-site work)

BENEFITS: $6,095 AmeriCorps Education Award, Public Lands Corps Certificate*; both with successful completion of the internship. The Corps Network health insurance provided by Cigna, AmeriCorps childcare assistance.  Federal Holidays off.

SUMMARY:

CONSERVATION CORPS NEW MEXICO (CCNM):

Conservation Corps New Mexico, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. The CCNM Individual Placement Program is managed from the Arizona Conservation Corps office in Tucson, Arizona. The CCNM program office in Las Cruces manages the CCNM field program. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) New Mexico State Office is seeking one qualified participant to serve as a Helium Program Assistant Intern to the Deputy State Director for Minerals (DSD Minerals). This individual will be responsible for assisting with the BLM Federal Helium Program Transitioning and Closure Plan as it relates to the Helium Resources Division.  This position will require some travel to the Amarillo Field Office to work with local staff in developing the new plan.  This position will require working knowledge of Federal mineral laws and regulations. During the term, the participant will also have the opportunity to network with other BLM field offices and state agencies.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS:

• Assist and monitor any helium regulations that need to be updated as they relate to other BLM offices.
• Assist in the transitioning of all parties that are paying royalties under the settlement agreements to helium compensation agreements.
• Assist in creating a new introductory letter that provides the framework of the Helium Program after the closure to new and existing customers on information of new procedures and encourage them to sign a helium sales agreement.
• Monitor and assist with the completion of the new Future of Helium Vision Paper.
• Update the helium compensation agreement template to be used as a guide in creating new contracts.
• Assist in the monitoring any OIG or GAO investigations.
• Monitor the completion of all required USGS reports to ensure timely submission.

Required Skills

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:            

• Undergraduate degree in a science related field with knowledge in engineering, chemistry, geography, or related field.
• Completion of some business courses related to business writing and general business concepts.
• Strong math, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills, have experience working as part of a team, and be able to work well with others in a professional setting.
• Proficient in the use of ArcGIS and comfortable working with a variety of land and mineral data from multiple sources.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of the helium or gas industry and advanced technical software and databases would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of the operational workings of a gas plant facility.
• Pursuing or holding a Graduate degree in a related field. 
• Applicants should possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record in order to meet the BLM’s driver training requirements.

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. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.
• This position calls for high levels of concentration. A moderate amount of travel is required to attend meetings, provide assistance to other field offices, and to provide or receive training.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PARTICIPANT ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

PARTICIPATION AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. 
• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason. 
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff. 
• Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, the BLM and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.

SAFETY AND JUDGMENT: 

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for 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. 
• Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards, and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crisis. 
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• If taking prescriptions medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others.

SUBSTANCE FREE:

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

BACKGROUND CHECK:

A DOI background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report to duty. The BLM will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after an intern has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start the internship. THIS PROCESS WILL DETERMINE THE INTERNSHIP’S EXACT START DATE.

Interns will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Interns must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, interns must be between the ages of 18-30, inclusive, at the time the individual begins the term of service.

TO APPLY: Please submit an updated resume and cover letter along with the online application at https://corpsnm.org/individual-placement-openings . If you have questions, contact CCNM’s Individual Placement Support Coordinator Dave Bennett at dbennett@conservationlegacy.org.

For more information about Conservation Corps New Mexico, please visit www.corpsnm.org. Conservation Corps New Mexico is a program of Conservation Legacy.

Required Experience

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:            

• Undergraduate degree in a science related field with knowledge in engineering, chemistry, geography, or related field.
• Completion of some business courses related to business writing and general business concepts.
• Strong math, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills, have experience working as part of a team, and be able to work well with others in a professional setting.
• Proficient in the use of ArcGIS and comfortable working with a variety of land and mineral data from multiple sources.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of the helium or gas industry and advanced technical software and databases would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of the operational workings of a gas plant facility.
• Pursuing or holding a Graduate degree in a related field. 
• Applicants should possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record in order to meet the BLM’s driver training requirements.

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. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.
• This position calls for high levels of concentration. A moderate amount of travel is required to attend meetings, provide assistance to other field offices, and to provide or receive training.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PARTICIPANT ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

PARTICIPATION AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. 
• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason. 
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff. 
• Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, the BLM and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.
• Flexibility, adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.

SAFETY AND JUDGMENT: 

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for 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. 
• Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards, and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crisis. 
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• If taking prescriptions medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others.

SUBSTANCE FREE:

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

BACKGROUND CHECK:

A DOI background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report to duty. The BLM will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after an intern has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start the internship. THIS PROCESS WILL DETERMINE THE INTERNSHIP’S EXACT START DATE.

Interns will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Interns must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, interns must be between the ages of 18-30, inclusive, at the time the individual begins the term of service.

TO APPLY: Please submit an updated resume and cover letter along with the online application at https://corpsnm.org/individual-placement-openings . If you have questions, contact CCNM’s Individual Placement Support Coordinator Dave Bennett at dbennett@conservationlegacy.org.

For more information about Conservation Corps New Mexico, please visit www.corpsnm.org. Conservation Corps New Mexico is a program of Conservation Legacy.