Natural Resource Member

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) New Mexico State Office, is seeking one Natural Resource Specialist (Intern) to support the Surface Inspection and Enforcement program for fluid mineral leases alongside Natural Resource Specialist staff from the BLM New Mexico State Office.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website at https://www.usaconservation.org/. 

Start Date: January/February 2025.

Estimated End Date: September 27th, 2025. (with the possibility of extension until the end of the year). 

*The start date is contingent upon a federal background check processing. The start date will be pushed forward if the candidate’s background check has not been processed by the start date listed above. BLM background checks can take up to 8-10 weeks.* 

Location Details/Description: Albuquerque/Santa Fe, NM

For more information about the BLM New Mexico State Office, please visit their website here https://www.blm.gov/office/new-mexico-state-office. 

Position Overview:

The BLM New Mexico State Office is providing an opportunity for one member to gain hands-on experience in the fields of natural resource management, environmental remediation, and environmental compliance. The successful candidate will assist the BLM New Mexico State Office Fluid Minerals Operations Team with surface management related duties, inspection and enforcement assistance to the field, and minerals planning efforts. The member will also assist with ArcGIS data, electronic and hard-copy record keeping systems, and data entry into the BLM’s Automated Fluid Minerals Support System (AFMSS). 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, and get boots on the ground experience with Federal compliance measures. The member will be able to shadow a variety of different BLM projects and gain insight into how various programs within the office operate and interact. 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.

Examples of potential duties are:

• Assist with data input and maintenance of records
• Assist with completion of Oil and Gas related NEPA documents
• Create or update geospatial data sets or products
• Assist with Field Office inquiries and develop requested products
• Monitor ongoing well plugging and reclamation/remediation activities
• Assist Field Office Surface Staff statewide with inspection, compliance, and inventory related to fluid minerals development and operations

This list is not exhaustive and other duties may be assigned based on project needs.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, between the hours of 8:00am – 5:00pm MST generally.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the BLM New Mexico State 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 on our website at https://www.usaconservation.org/general-resources/

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or BLM New Mexico State Office.

Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $200 per week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific on-the-job training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training for the position may include Natural Resource Specialist training (as available), H2S and field safety, First Aid, Defensive Driving and 4×4 Vehicle, and required BLM training for accessing government computer systems.

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, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• 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 here https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/.

Preferred:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite.
• Experience using ArcGIS software.
• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal) and the ability to collaborate with different stakeholders.
• Demonstrated sense of accountability and follow through.
• Ability to communicate professionally both orally and in writing.
• Deep interest in natural resource management and environmental protection.
• Experience working in and navigating remote field environments with aid of maps or GPS.
• Understanding of the theories, principles, practices and techniques of natural resource management related to surface disturbing activities.
• Education or experience in physical science disciplines that may include biology, natural resources, geology, or engineering that can be applied to construction practices, soils, slope stabilization, and land restoration techniques and methods.

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, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• 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. Office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise from active oil and gas facilities and other hand and power tools. 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 including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. Specific fieldwork hazards include working in an environment with a risk of H2S exposure. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. Field work will occur in an active oil and gas basin and require frequent travel on unpaved dirt roads without street signs. Heavy oilfield traffic, hazardous road conditions, active oil and gas production and operation equipment, are common occurrences.

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

ACE values an inclusive workforce – if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

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.