Natural Resources Member

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District Office, is seeking one Natural Resource Member to contribute to a variety of Abandoned Mine Land and GIS projects alongside BLM Las Cruces District Office Staff. 

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

Start Date: 01/13/2025
Estimated End Date: 09/27/2025 (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. *

Location Details/Description: Las Cruces, NM

Las Cruces, NM 

Las Cruces, New Mexico, is a vibrant, borderlands city. If the great outdoors appeals to you, find events at places like White Sands National Park or the Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks National Monument. If live performances are more your thing, find events at the Amador and other restaurants, local theaters, and New Mexico State University. Since Las Cruces is a college town, you can also find football and basketball games, along with activities and exhibitions at the university’s museums and galleries. Don’t miss the award-winning Farmers & Crafts Market of Las Cruces and other events in the newly revitalized downtown area, which also offers many art galleries and museums. Find events in historic Old Mesilla, too, from music on the plaza to historical reenactments. 

For more information about Las Cruces, please visit https://lascruces.com/

BLM Las Cruces District Office

Welcome to southwestern New Mexico, where public lands offer an amazing diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities. The BLM’s Las Cruces District Office manages 5.4 million acres of public land and over 10 million acres of Federal mineral estate from the western side of the Guadalupe Mountains to the Arizona border, and from Sierra County and the southern edge of the Gila National Forest to the Mexican border. These public lands include majestic, scenic mountain ranges jutting from the desert floor, and towering over the surrounding desert. The confluence of the Chihuahuan desert, Rocky Mountains, great plains, Sonoran desert, and Sierra Madre make the area the most biologically and recreationally diverse region of New Mexico.

For more information on the BLM Las Cruces District Office, please visit https://www.blm.gov/office/las-cruces-district-office 

Position Overview: 

The BLM Las Cruces District Office is providing an opportunity for one Natural Resource Member to gain hands-on experience in the fields of geology and natural resource management to help uphold state and federal regulations for mineral leasing and sales in New Mexico. Under the guidance of BLM Staff, the members will contribute to the collection, analysis, and reporting of Abandoned Mine Land data on BLM lands. The members will also assist in the development of NEPA documents, ArcGIS data and products, record keeping systems, and data/information entry into the various automated minerals and reporting 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 and compliance, and get boots on the ground experience with geologic methods. Cross-training opportunities with various departments of the BLM may be available, from native species planting to wildlife surveys. 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: 

• Collects, analyzes, and reports on field data.
• Creates accurate tables, charts, or graphs for reports.
• Surficial and subsurface mapping, developing geologic cross sections.
• Estimates restoration project costs.
• Conservation of resources, lease sale evaluations for fair market value determination, and discharge analyses.
• Uses data interpretation software and various PC-based software applications for the purpose of inputting, displaying, and organizing geological, geochemical, geophysical and/or engineering data for retrieval and evaluation.

Depending on the season and project needs, the ratio of field work to office work may fluctuate. During the fieldwork season, duties may be split between 60% field work and 40% office work. This may flip during the off season. 

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. 

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 Las Cruces District 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 member and not provided by ACE or BLM Las Cruces District 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 training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include Defensive Driving/Offroad, UTV training, First Aid/CPR, and Mine Safety. Opportunities to attend National Wildlife and Abandoned Mine Land Conferences with BLM Staff may be available. 

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 https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred: 

• Experience with GIS.
• Knowledge of geologic processes, data collection and analysis, and duties related to this position.
• Ability and willingness to participate in both fieldwork and office work.
• Deep interest in environmental compliance and government procedures.

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 such as gas-powered chainsaws 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. 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: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the BLM Las Cruces District Office. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the BLM Las Cruces District Office. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the BLM Las Cruces District Office, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to BLM Las Cruces District 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.