Bureau of Land Management's Northwest Colorado District are hiring several intern positions through Rocky Mountain Youth Corp for the 2017 Field Season. These positions will be assisting local land managers with botanical, soil, and rangeland surveys, surveying invasive plants, projects relating to fire restoration, and/or monitoring sage grouse habitat. These positions are a great way to get your foot in the door with federal land management agencies.
*Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) Internship* We are hiring 1 to 2 more interns to fill our AIM crews in Northwestern Colorado. The intern would either be based out of Kremmling or Craig, Colorado. The intern will primarily be assisting BLM staff to carry out the Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) strategy across BLM lands *Program Overview*: The Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) program was initiated to improve the effectiveness of monitoring activities on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The AIM program provides a standardized process for the BLM to collect quantitative information on the condition and trend of natural resources on the nation’s public lands. BLM lands are managed at a variety of scales, from individual field offices, to district and state level, as well as the national scale. Standardized AIM protocols allow monitoring to occur at multiple scales to inform decision making. AIM protocol requires collecting six terrestrial core indicators in a 60m wide circular plot. The indicators provide information about terrestrial ecosystems and include parameters that look at plant species diversity, abundance using the line point intercept method, gaps between vegetation and soil structure and stability. These core indicators are collected at each plot and among several different types of vegetation communities. For more information please visit *http://aim.landscapetoolbox.org <http://aim.landscapetoolbox.org>* or *https://jornada.nmsu.edu/aim <https://jornada.nmsu.edu/aim>*. *Employment Details:* Employment is expected to start May 15 and work into October. It is necessary for the intern to attend AIM training, at the end of May in Grand Junction. Crew members are expected to work 40 hours a week (4-10hr days). Commonly, crews may work more than 40 hours, often working longer days or an occasional Friday. If extra hours are incurred during the work week, interns will be able to take time off during or at the end of the field season. Crews often travel over 2 hours to reach plots and camping may be necessary to reduce drive time. *Duties and Responsibilities:* ● Attend AIM method training (May, Grand Junction) ● Collect vegetation data using Line Point Intercept (LPI) methods ● Assist in plant identification at each plot by using dichotomous keys ● Press and document unknown plant species to be identified back at the office ● Assist digging holes up to 70 cm deep and record soil characteristics ● Measure canopy gap and herbaceous heights at frequent intervals along a transect ● Record quality data and routinely do quality checks ● Drive a government 4x4 vehicle on less traveled 2-track roads ● Carry a heavy pack over uneven terrain ● Orienteering using maps and GPS units ● Assist in weekly planning ● Sometimes tasks are tedious and having a good work ethic is essential *Qualifications:* ● Must be between 16-30 years old ● Experience with plant identification, terminology and using a dichotomous key is preferred ● Ability to conduct physically strenuous field work in rugged terrain including lifting and carrying loads up to 30lbs ● Ability to work well with coworkers ● Field work often involves bending over and staying at a plot for up to 4 hours ● Knowledge of GIS and GPS, but not necessary ● Valid Driver’s License ● Experience operating a 4x4 truck on washed out or loose sandy roads ● Work days can be long and tough, enthusiasm is essential ● Hike up to 6 miles on uneven terrain *Applying:* *Position: *1-2 interns *To Apply:* Rocky Mountain Youth Corp at https://www.rockymountainyouthcorps.org/internship-program Send resume, cover letter, & 3 references to Liz Doby ( [email protected]) *Compensation:* $13/hour for 900 hour, possible per diem when camping *Start Date: *May 15, 2017 *BLM Contact: *Amy Birtwistle ([email protected]) *BLM Field Offices:* Kremmling Field Office 2103 E. Park Avenue Kremmling, CO 80459 Little Snake Field Office 455 Emerson Street Craig, CO 81625
