Job Description

Position Description

US BUREAU OF RECLAMATION:

Environment & Lands Division Hydrology Individual Placement

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) is a nonprofit youth development organization serving New Mexico. We inspire young adults to make a positive difference in themselves and their communities. Through training and service, Corpsmembers discover their potential for healthy, productive lives.

Individual Placement positions work within RMYC partner agencies, and are intended to provide meaningful job experience for young professionals looking to build their careers in specific fields.

POSITION OVERVIEW : This position provides broad support to environmental stewardship, land management, contracting, and recreation‑related business development within the Bureau of Reclamation’s Environment and Lands Division. The role blends field‑based resource work with technical research, regulatory compliance support, contract development, and interagency coordination. Responsibilities vary seasonally and require strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in both outdoor field settings and structured office environments.

Professional development and work-training is a major focus of this position. The ideal candidate is someone looking for a starting point to build a career in hydrology, outdoor management, and conservation. This position is managed through RMYC and includes professional development, regular check-ins, and life skills training that RMYC offers regularly. Other training opportunities will be provided through the host program or outside training tailored to the needs of the individual. Cross-training with other programs is also encouraged. As an AmeriCorps member, this position will not serve in any supervising or staff roles.

POSITION TYPE : Seasonal, full time, AmeriCorps member

SCHEDULE : Full Time, 40 Hours per week, (4/6/26 - 12/18/26). Exact start and end times will be determined by program funding, program needs, and timing of applications received.

REPORTS TO : Bureau of Reclamation staff daily and to RMYC Individual Placement Program Coordinator on a biweekly basis.

LOCATION : 555 Broadway Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102

TERM LENGTH : 1200 hour AmeriCorps term.

COMPENSATION : Biweekly Stipend of $1,440 per week (Equivalent of $18.00 per hour)

EDUCATION AWARD : AmeriCorps Segal Education Award scholarship of $5,176.50 upon successful completion of term of service.

OTHER SUPPORT: Parents or caregivers are eligible and encouraged to apply. Full time, 1700 hour term applicants may qualify to receive childcare benefits through the AmeriCorps Childcare Program. More information is available by request or through the AmeriCorps Childcare Program website.

BENEFITS :

• Healthcare coverage is available to all AmeriCorps members at no cost to the member. This is considered primary coverage and is not available as supplemental coverage.
• Non-Scheduled Days (paid days off) are available, with the exact number depending on the length of the term of service (These days off ARE NOT counted toward the service hours required for the Educational Award). Time off in excess of assigned non-scheduled days will require make up work or a stipend reduction.
• RMYC observes all National holidays and are considered approved paid days off, however RMYC reserves the right to have AmeriCorps members work or earn service hours on certain holidays if necessary to meet program requirements (holiday time off hours ARE NOT counted toward the service hours required for the Educational Award).
• Student loan forbearance and interest payments are available for qualifying loans.

ELIGIBILITY :

A chosen candidate must meet the following requirements:

• 18-30 years old as of the position start date.
• All AmeriCorps members must be citizens, national, or lawful permanent residents of the United States. State-level background checks will be conducted for non-residents of NM.
• Chosen candidates must complete a pre-employment National Service Criminal History Check and fingerprint scan with the following requirements:
  • You must be truthful in all statements regarding criminal history.
  • You cannot be registered or required to be registered on any state sex offender registry or the National Sex Offender Registry.
  • You cannot be convicted of murder.
• Insurable driving record and a valid driver’s license.
• Have a High School Diploma, equivalent diploma (G.E.D.), or agree to obtaining one prior to using the Segal Education Award
  • If you are not capable of obtaining a High School diploma or equivalent or are enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis you may be considered eligible for funds under section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091)
• Able to complete the entire length of the service term, including make up hours if necessary.
• Essential physical functions include the ability to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, climb, balance, reach with hands & arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl on a frequent basis, and lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals to perform the essential functions.

Major Responsibilities:

Environment and Lands (~60%, may vary seasonally)

• Assist resource staff in field work (work could include GPS data collection & mapping, bird or fish surveys, endangered species tracking & recovery efforts, NEPA & cultural compliance reviews, land surveys, wetland delineations, AIS station design & research, etc.)
• Coordination and communication with federal & state agencies, engineers, and contractors
• Research related to AIS, ESA, NEPA compliance and related work
• Drafting & editing technical documents for contracts, compliance, etc.

Contracting & Construction (~15%, may vary seasonally)

• Assist Elephant Butte Historic District building rehabilitation Project Manager with construction contracts
• Coordination & communication with engineers, contractors, Federal & State agencies, etc.
• Work alongside GIS staff to contribute data and assist with field verification for interactive online mapping applications used in environmental and cultural compliance, contractor coordination, reclamation, and related projects
• Assist with drafting construction (electrical, water contracts, proposals for State Historic Preservation Office, etc.)
• Assist with pre-project compliance work related to SHPO & NEPA compliance (work could include cultural surveys, wetland delineations, land surveys, mapping, etc.)

Business & Recreation (~15%, may vary seasonally)

• Research Federal commercial service plans, visitor use plans, strategic plans, etc.
• Research Federal prospectus process and request for proposals (RFP)
• Assist with developing a commercial service plan and request for proposal for a recreation concession contract for a registered historic district.
  • Conduct research for commercial service plan through communication (phone calls, emails, etc.) with project partners and by reviewing articles, webpages, and documents
• Create well-written segments for the commercial services plan using material gained through research and edit already existing segments coordination
• Assist with coordination of RMYC trail crews on Reclamation lands

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in calls, meetings, and work groups as needed
• Pursue and participate in relevant trainings to increase professional capacity and expand knowledge

• Perform various tasks within the scope of work for an AmeriCorps member.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong technical writing and editing skills
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing environment
• Ability to co-ordinate well and communicate clearly
• Must be comfortable working outside and performing fieldwork for long periods of time in all weather conditions.
• Applicants should demonstrate strong organizational skills, have experience working as part of a team, be able to work well with others in a professional setting, be self-motivated, and able to work independently with limited supervision after the initial training period.
• Applicants must have great attention to detail and problem solving skills.
• Strong work ethic, and the ability to take initiative and work independently with periodic check-ins.
• Participation in one service event that benefits the community is required, with options to attend additional service events.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

• Familiarity with the following:
  • Request For Proposals (RFPs), and concession contracts.
  • Contracts, project management, and/or business plans.
  • Public land managing agencies and recreation work.
  • Field work, technical documentation, and associated data entry.
  • Historic districts and historic preservation.
• Strong project management, technical writing, and oral skills.
• GPS/GIS/computer skills
• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree student in a related field (conservation management, environmental science, biology, etc.)

EVALUATION :

Members serving less than a full-time term of service (<1700 hours) will receive a mandatory end-of-term evaluation, with an optional mid-term evaluation.

CONTACT :

If you have any questions about the position, please contact:

RMYC:

• Carl Smith, Individual Placement Coordinator: [email protected]

Bureau of Reclamation:

• Hannah Schecter, Project Manager: [email protected]

To apply, please submit an application to the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps application portal at including a resume and cover letter.

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps is available to all and we will not discriminate or refuse services to any staff or member because of perceived or actual race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, military service or pregnancy.

RMYC is a drug free workplace. All positions are dependent upon funding availability.

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