Announcement for Youth Project Malta Field Office Recreation - T.Bain.docx

Field/District Office: Malta Field Office Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: L23AS00269 Project Submission Dates and Times:

Project Title: Malta Field Office Youth Opportunity Maximum Available Funding in FY23: $20,000 BLM has determined $500 monthly housing stipend is a reasonable amount to assist in short-term lodging for the summer. Stipends above this amount must justify in budget narrative increase needed.

Project Background Information: The Malta Field Office manages resources and activities on 1.1 million surface acres and 1.5 million subsurface acres. In addition, the Glasgow Field Office (1 million acres) and Havre Field Office (400,000 acres) are included. Resource management priorities include oil and gas leasing/development, wildlife habitat and rangeland management, special status species (plants and wildlife) management, and both dispersed and intensive recreation management.

Project Objective: BLM, Malta Field Office has an opportunity to introduce youth to careers in the BLM under the Recreation Management Program. The field office staff would like to provide work experience to youth for their career and educational benefit. This will be accomplished by providing them opportunities to gain experience, learn about public lands, further their understanding and appreciation of recreation management. From this they will gain an increased appreciation and understanding of our public lands and of the value of public service, and are likely to become life-long advocates for those values. This opportunity will be focused on recreation development and maintenance of recreation sites within the field offices. This project would be especially appropriate for a student studying recreation management and will provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills such as organization, writing, detail, and communication, as well as field skills including the mowing, cleaning, and maintaining recreation sites, using GPS equipment and maps and utilizing tablets for gathering and updating data. Previous experience with any or all of these skills would significantly enhance the student experience.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, generally 7 AM to 3:30 PM, for 12 weeks, with flexable start/end dates. Weekends might be required, but would be a rare occurance.

Qualification Requirements: This opportunity is suitable for youth working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in recreation or natural resources. As stated in the duties this opportunity will require time outdoors and field work that is often under somewhat rigorous physical conditions.

Housing: Short-term housing opportunities may be limited in Malta during the summer months. No government housing is available, but office personnel may be able to assist in locating appropriate clean housing. A maximum monthly housing stipend of $500 is allowable.

Vehicle Needs: A personal vehicle is NOT required for the position but is strongly encouraged as it makes the applicant's days off much more enjoyable. The closest regional airport is in Billings, MT (200 miles away). Most big city amenities are available in nearby Havre, MT (1.5hr). A work vehicle will be provided for official government use.

Other Project Considerations:

Food: A local Albertson’s grocery store and several restaurants are available locally in Malta.

Supplies: BLM will provide a tablet, most personal protective equipment (PPE), GPS units, and all necessary hand tools, etc. Boots (8-inch height with Vibram sole) and appropriate work pants and long-sleeve shirts will be provided by the applicant.

Training Requirements: Defensive driving class is required and will be provided by BLM. Any other additional training will be provided if necessary.

Travel: A considerable amount of driving is required for the position. Many project work areas are up to 3 hours away from Malta Field Office. Applicants should be a good, safe, and experienced driver capable of operating pickups and pulling light trailers at times. No overnight trips are anticipated.

Duties: The successful youth applicant(s) will assist the Outdoor Recreation Planner mow, clean, and maintain recreation sites across 2.5 million acres. In addition, installing signs and various other tasks will be required. Numerous opportunities exist for both field work office work.

The participant(s) will work out of the Malta Field Office in Malta, MT. Field work will be conducted largely in the Little Rockies and the adjacent plains. The projects will be coordinated by the Outdoor Recreation Planner or other permanent field office staff. Fieldwork will be done in a remote backcountry setting and requires strenuous exertion. Weather and terrain conditions may be extreme (e.g. heat, cold, thunderstorms, steep badlands).

BLM’s Involvement: There will be substantive BLM programmatic involvement by BLM professionals that will line out daily work duties and also work side by side with recipient on many projects while providing project orientation and hands-on training. BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan, if project is not staying on schedule, technical issues arise, etc. In addition, BLM and recipient will meet weekly to discuss progress and track project outcomes; review any training needs; and then make a decision what direction to take in finalizing project or move to the next phase.

BLM Program Officer:

BLM Program Coordinator:

Applicants are encouraged to refer to the full program announcement number L23AS00102 posted on Grants.gov for all program requirements and applicable terms and conditions. Recipients selected for awards will be required to adhere to those requirements should an award be made.

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