Environmental Protection Specialist

Summary

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is seeking one Environmental Protection Specialist to support the regulation and inspection of gas and oil operations alongside Environmental Specialist staff from the BLM Carlsbad Field Office.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: July/August 2024(flexible for the right candidate, dependent upon BLM background check)

Estimated End Date: 42 weeks from start date

Location Details/Description: Carlsbad, New Mexico

For more information about the BLM Carlsbad Field Office, please visit https://www.blm.gov/office/carlsbad-field-office

Position Overview:

The BLM Carlsbad Field Office is providing an opportunity for one member to gain hands-on experience in the field of environmental protection to help uphold state and federal regulations for gas and oil operations in New Mexico. The successful candidate would support the BLM Carlsbad Field Office on a variety of regulation and inspection projects. Under the guidance of BLM Staff, the member will contribute to the enforcement, inspection, compliance, and inventory related to gas and oil development and operations. The member will also assist in the development of NEPA documents, ArcGIS layers, and record keeping systems. Those participating in this program will have the opportunity to learn about BLM land-management challenges and responsibilities, gain an understanding of the ins-and-outs of environmental regulation compliance, and get boots on the ground experience with environmental regulation and protection. This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Typically Monday – Friday between the hours of 8am – 5pm MST. Occasional weekend and evening shifts may be necessary for project needs.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Members are expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the BLM Carlsbad Field Office and ACE and is not flexible.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the members and not provided by ACE or BLM Carlsbad Field Office.

Travel Assistance: ACE Members will be reimbursed travel expenses accrued while on project. A relocation allowance of up to $500 is available for the chosen candidate.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, be a positive, contributing member of a group, and communicate effectively.
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.
• ​​Willing to be flexible in day to day duties, from manual labor outside, to making maps or writing reports in the office.
• Willing to drive 4×4 vehicles.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: A vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties. One will be provided by the BLM Carlsbad Field Office. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the BLM Carlsbad Field Office. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the BLM Carlsbad Field Office, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to BLM Carlsbad Field Office and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.