Natural Resources Intern - Air Quality & Sound

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is recruiting one (1) Natural Resources Intern - Air Quality & Sound to support soundscape monitoring in Bears Ears National Monument. Monitoring will establish the baseline ambient soundscape levels of the monument and identification of what sounds are found within the Bears Ears National Monument. Acoustic data will be collected in several locations and provide monument managers the information they need to make informed decisions on management of the monument. The intern will also gain experience on other air resource monitoring in Utah, including with meteorological, dust, and gaseous pollutant monitoring.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Field-Based Duties:
  • Travel up to 10 times between Salt Lake City and Bears Ears National Monument to conduct soundscape monitoring at 14 designated sites within Bears Ears National Monument
  • Deploy and retrieve acoustic monitoring equipment at remote locations
  • Perform instrument calibration and maintenance to ensure accurate data collection
  • Collect acoustic data to establish baseline ambient soundscape levels
  • Identify and document various sound sources within the monument
• Office-Based Duties:
  • Conduct data processing and quality assurance checks
  • Document monitoring procedures and maintain accurate records
  • Prepare written summaries and reports based on collected data
  • Contribute to the development of a comprehensive final report to guide management strategies

Timeline:

• 18-week appointment beginning on March 17th, 2025, and ending on July 18, 2025, but willing to be flexible with start date depending on the candidate and the passage of Department of Interior Background Investigation (DOI BI)
  • Start date is pending the successful completion and passage of a DOI BI
  • Please note a DOI BI may take up to 6 weeks to process and clear.
• Full-time 40 hours/week typically Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM
• Weekends may be required

Location:

Interns will primarily work out of the Bureau of Land Management Utah State Office in Salt Lake City, Utah, but travel will be required to Bears Ears National Monument in Southeastern Utah. 

Salt Lake is the largest metropolitan area in Utah, offering many city amenities. The city is bordered by the Great Salt Lake and the snow-capped Wasatch Range. Salt Lake is an arid mountain desert. The air is thin, dry, and ranges between hot and freezing throughout the year. On average, Salt Lake gets 20 inches of rain per year in addition to 54 inches of snow per year. Typically, there are 222 sunny days each year in Salt Lake.

Bears Ears National Monument is located in southeast Utah in San Juan County and is made up of 1.36 million acres of public lands. The monument is co-managed by the Bureau of Land Management Monticello Field Office, the Manti La Sal National Forest, and the five Tribes of the Bears Ears Commission (the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Zuni Tribe, and Ute Indian Tribe). There are three main areas: Indian Creek, Cedar Mesa, and the San Juan River. This area’s rich cultural heritage is held sacred by many Native American Tribes, who continue to rely on these lands for traditional and ceremonial uses. The natural resources here are regularly used by local communities for firewood gathering and livestock grazing. Beyond cultural and natural resources, this area is meaningful to recreationists who visit the Bears Ears region to backpack, rock climb, river raft, and more.

Bears Ears National Monument is very remote–nearby Monument Valley, Mexican Hat, Bluff, Blanding, and Monticello are about an hour drive from the monument and have small grocery stores and gas stations. Lodging is also available in these communities and at government lodging at Natural Bridges National Monument. The BLM field office for Bears Ears is located in Monticello.

Compensation and Benefits

• Wage: $20/hour
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums available at no cost
  • Eligible to enroll on the first day of the month following the first day of employment
• No-cost $25,000 life insurance policy
• Paid leave and holidays
• Housing stipend: $100 per week
• Field per diem may be provided
   

Qualifications:

Bachelors or graduate degree atmospheric sciences, environmental engineering or science, data sciences, or other environmental-related discipline

• Basic understanding of data collection, analysis, and processing procedures;
• Knowledge and experience in mathematics, primarily statistics;
• Ability to successfully complete a Department of Interior Background Investigation
• Experience with or interest in working at a remote duty station for short periods of time;
• Must be able to drive a four-wheel drive vehicle on dirt roads; 
• Ability to work independently on tasks and excellent organizational skills;
• Reliable, team-player with strong leadership and communication skills; and
• Possession of a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license.