(DHA CA) Youth Crew Lead (BLM, Kings Range NCA)

The Great Basin Institute, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, is hiring 1 Youth Crew Lead – Leadership Development position under the BLM’s Direct Hire Authority Program (DHA)* with the King Range National Conservation Area, in CA. Successful completion of 11-week term will result in the applicant being eligible for the DHA-RAI Certificate of Completion, program participants that meet Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for a BLM mission-critical/hard-to-fill occupation may be directly appointed without competition to a full time, permanent position vacancy.

The Nick’s Interns Leadership Development Program will provide the DHA Intern an opportunity to gain experience in youth leadership and hands-on environmental restoration, stewardship, and recreation management projects in the King Range National Conservation Area (NCA).   

Under direct oversight of BLM King Range NCA staff, the DHA Intern/Youth Crew Lead will train, supervise, and mentor high school students during two, three-week Nick’s Interns sessions.  The DHA intern will collaborate with local community partner organizations on a variety of field projects on public lands while mentoring students and teaching the fundamentals of work ethics and environmental stewardship.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Daily supervision and leadership of five, 9-12th grade interns.  Maintain discipline, team morale, and a positive work environment.  Train youth interns to complete projects efficiently and effectively.  Provide mentorship and development of work ethics and leadership skills.  
• Collaborate with community partner organizations on field projects, meeting partner project expectations.
• Plan and oversee conservation projects in the field such as:  trail maintenance, stream habitat restoration, water flow monitoring, native plant restoration, community/beach clean-ups, campground maintenance, etc. 
• Ensure a high quality of work, safe work practices and proper tool use.
• Ensure safety of the crew through training, oversight in the field, and use of the BLM Risk Management and Tailgate Safety forms.
• In collaboration with BLM staff, plan and lead the youth intern orientation and training.  
• Provide on-going team development including team building activities, journaling, and youth intern performance evaluations.
• Educate youth interns and demonstrate Leave No Trace principles.
• Transport the crew in BLM vehicles to project locations. 

*The DHA program is intended for those currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, at an accredited college or university. Undergraduate is defined as an associate or bachelor’s degree program.

Contract Timeline:

• 11-week appointment beginning in June 2024, pending successful completion and passage of DOI Background Investigation
• June – August
• Full-time, 40-hrs wk

Location: King Range National Conservation Area, Whitethorn, CA. The King Range National Conservation Area (NCA) is a spectacular meeting of land and sea as mountains thrust straight out of the surf with King Peak (4,088 feet) only 3-miles from the ocean. The King Range NCA encompasses 68,000 acres along 35 miles of California’s north coast. The landscape was too rugged for highway building, giving the remote region the title of California’s Lost Coast. It is the Nation’s first NCA, designated in 1970.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Wage: $20/hr
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost
• Housing is not provided

Job Qualifications:

• Must be currently enrolled or a recent graduate (<1 year from graduation) to be eligible for the DHA program; 
• Bachelor’s degree a related discipline, or a combination of relevant education and field experience;
• Enthusiasm about the position, with interest in team development, leadership skills, environmental restoration and public land management;
• High level of proficiency leading field work in dynamic field settings; 
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Ability to plan and coordinate projects, work with partner organizations;
• Reliable leader with strong mentorship and communication skills;
• Possession of a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license; and
• Successfully complete and pass a federal background check prior to starting position.