BLM Public Affairs Specialist-Phoenix, AZ

Start/End Date: January 10, 2022 – January 6, 2023 (anticipated)

Salary: $500/week (+Education Award)

Term: 52 weeks

Reports To: Michael Brown (National Lead, Youth Programs) 

Location: BLM Arizona State Office (9828 N. 31st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85051)

Status: 1700-hour AmeriCorps Service Term

Benefits: AmeriCorps Education Award $6,345; Public Lands Corps Certificate*; both with successful completion of the internship. The Corps Network health insurance provided by Cigna, AmeriCorps childcare assistance. 

Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC):  

Arizona Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. AZCC is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff and Tucson.  

 

The Bureau of Land Management Arizona State Office manages and conserves 12.2 million acres of public land and 17.5 million subsurface acres within Arizona. Through balanced management, the BLM sustains the health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

The BLM's Public Lands Corps (PLC) program is a public-private initiative to employ youth and veterans on public lands to protect, restore, and enhance our natural and cultural resources. Through compensated opportunities, the PLC helps develop a generation of skilled workers, educated and active citizens, future leaders, and stewards of the land while providing the BLM with a cost-effective way to accomplish priority stewardship and conservation projects. The PLC hiring authority enables the BLM to attract and recruit entry-level employees by awarding corps members noncompetitive hiring status for up to 2 years after completing PLC service.

The primary objective of this intern is to analyze the BLM's PLC program and assist and provide insight on current marketing and branding practices, identify potential areas for improvement and present solutions to the BLM Youth Program Leads. Intern will assist in the development and outline of tangible and digital marketing materials for the PLC program including the development of an PLC Brochure and Newsletter, and the branding and content development of PLC Sharepoint Site. Interns must provide their own personal transportation to the duty office; however, the intern will be provided a vehicle for use between the office and the field. No housing will be provided.

·        Identify areas within current marketing materials for improvement and develop Public Lands Corps (PLC) Brochure/Newsletter.

·        Identify/implement potential platforms and practices to solicit PLC Employee Content for newsletter/BLM Daily Articles.

·        Review/evaluate current Youth Programs promotional videos.

·        Participate in field site visits and crews.

·        Assist in updating/improving the content on the PLC SharePoint site.

·        Review current PLC graphics and training materials and update/revise as needed.

·        Work with NTC Training Coordinators to develop content for BLM Daily Articles and weekly updates.

·        The applicant should possess a general understanding and interest in one or more of the following areas: marketing, digital marketing, communication, political science, journalism, digital culture, film production, or multimedia design.

·        Applicants must pass a DOI security background check and should possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. 

·        Strong verbal and written communication skills.

·        Ability to multi-task, write reports, create presentations, and perform some video editing work.

·        Self-driven with innovation and problem-solving abilities.

·        Previous experience with a Conservation Corps or youth-serving organization.

·        To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.

·        This position calls for high levels of concentration. A moderate amount of travel is required to attend meetings, aid other field offices, and to provide or receive training.

·        Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

·        Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. 

·        Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.

·        Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable. 

·        Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff. 

·        Appropriately represent Arizona Conservation Corps, the BLM and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.

·        Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.

 

·        Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.

·        Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises.

·        Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions. 

·        If taking prescriptions medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

 

A DOI background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report to duty. The BLM will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after an intern has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start the internship. This process will determine the internship’s exact start date.

Interns will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Interns must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety including attending necessary trainings and virtual education where necessary. 

·        In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in program activities and while on organization property. 

To Apply: Please submit an updated resume, cover letter, and three professional references along with the online application at https://azcorps.org/ip-positions . If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Support Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org .

For more information about Arizona Conservation Corps, please visit https://azcorps.org/ . Arizona Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy.