Modernizing Public Policy Engagement

Bureau of Land Management • Prineville, OR

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Semester of Service Program offers students an unpaid, project-based volunteer opportunity supporting Federal missions and providing hands-on experience and career-ready skills. This 90-day Spring 2027 project with the Bureau of Land Management in Prineville, Oregon, will develop a modern, streamlined, interactive database of members of the public interested in NEPA projects. The database is intended to modernize the District’s scoping process and support faster results under newly implemented procedures. The student will contribute to designing an outreach mailout, building a searchable database based on public- or group-identified interests, testing the database on an active NEPA project, and updating the District’s filing system and project records. The student will use AI and administration priorities to assist in developing the database system.

The role is hybrid, combining office work and eligible telework, with a flexible schedule between 7:00 and 18:00. Volunteers must commit to 8–20 hours per week for at least 90 days. The position is unpaid and does not provide compensation, a stipend, or hiring preference. Participants are not Federal employees, although they receive structured onboarding and supervision and coverage for service-related injuries under applicable federal protections.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national studying in the United States or abroad.
• Be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited educational institution throughout the 90-day assignment; the institution must be located in the United States.
• Have completed one full academic year beyond high school and be in good academic standing as defined by the educational institution.
• Not graduate before May 1, 2027.
• Commit to volunteering 8–20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.
• Complete required onboarding documentation for the Department of the Interior and the educational institution.
• Agree to volunteer without compensation and acknowledge that volunteers are not Federal employees.
• Not be a current Federal employee.
• Submit transcripts to verify education and enrollment.

Responsibilities

• Design a mailout to assess interested parties and educate them about reformed NEPA procedures.
• Design a searchable database organized around public- or group-identified topics of interest, such as energy dominance, livestock grazing, fuels restoration, or access to public lands.
• Test the database using a real-time NEPA project.
• Update the current District filing system and organize the file for an active project throughout the life of a small-scale project.
• Use AI and administration priorities to assist the District in developing an innovative database system.

Benefits

• Meaningful project work with clear deliverables, regular supervision, and Federal mentorship.
• Hands-on application of academic knowledge in real-world Federal operations.
• Exposure to Federal missions, workplace culture, and potential career pathways.
• Coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act and workers’ compensation for service-related injuries.
• Structured onboarding and ongoing supervision.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED