Malheur Youth Opportunities_Mini Announcement for Youth Projects 10.30.24.doc

Office: Vale District, Malheur Field Office Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: L24AS00057

Project Submission Dates and Times: January 19, 2024, 5pm EST

Project Title: Vale District/Malheur Field Office Natural Resources Youth Opportunity

Maximum Available Funding in FY23: $24,000 BLM has determined up to $17.00 per hour is reasonable for the responsibilities and tasks to be performed. Wages above this amount must justify in budget narrative if increase needed.

Project Background Information: The main duty station for this position will be Vale, OR. Some work, no more than 10%, may occur out of the Baker City, OR office. The Vale District is 5.2 million acres and has lands boarding Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. Much of the work will be accomplished in very remote locations on rugged terrain that require a 4x4 truck to access, it may take 4 hours of driving to reach a work site.

Project Objective: BLM, Vale District/Malheur Field Office, Oregon has an opportunity to introduce youth to Natural Resource careers in the BLM. Vale BLM is interested in reaching youth directly out of high school or in their first couple years of college to share the career opportunities and help guide college studies for a career with the BLM if they are interested. The Field Office has Natural Resource Specialists on staff and would like to a 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 natural resources, and pique their interest in Natural Resource Management careers. 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 learning about the multiple resources the Vale BLM manages. This project would be especially appropriate for recent high school graduates or those in their first two years of college and will provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills such as organization, writing, and communication, well as field skills including data collection, use of GPS equipment and maps, and driving on rough rugged roads. An interest in land management or public lands would significantly enhance the experience.

Work Schedule: Generally, Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:30PM, for nine to twelve weeks, with approximate start/end dates in June/August.

Qualification Requirements: This opportunity is suitable for youth with a High School diploma. As stated in the duties this opportunity will require time outdoors and field work that is often under rigorous physical conditions. Applicants must also meet the following criteria: 1) Pass a DOI security background check. 2) Have a valid driver’s license.

Housing: Agency cannot provide housing but may be able to assist in locating appropriate clean housing.

Vehicle Needs: BLM will provide a work vehicle for the project to be used solely for work purposes.

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 Boise, Idaho.

Other Project Considerations:

Food: Food will be at the applicant’s expense.

All Supplies: BLM will provide computer, GPS units, and supplies and equipment necessary for monitoring and data collection.

Travel: Field camping may be necessary to complete some monitoring due to remoteness of some locations. One week of travel may be necessary to attend trainings.

Duties: The successful youth applicant(s) will assist the resource specialists with field work that spans multiple resources including but no limited to wildlife, range, and botany. The majority of the work will be in the field and includes data collection utilizing multiple monitoring methods; some office work will be necessary for data entry. Field work will be conducted largely in Malheur County, OR in rough and rugged terrain.

Project expected outcomes would vary depending on the length of the internship but may include monitoring 5 sensitive plant populations, assessing 10 range improvements, monitoring 5 riparian sites and conducting 20 field evaluations.

BLM’s Involvement: There will be substantive BLM programmatic involvement by BLM professional that will work with recipient on all projects and also be 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 Contact:

Susan Fritts

541-473-6274 sfritts@blm.gov

Applicants are encouraged to refer to the full program announcement number L24AS00057 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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