Protecting Holmgren Milkvetch through Community Outreach

You will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs. Specifically, applicants should have an interest in botany and have good interpersonal skills. A high clearance vehicle needed to access field site.

Location: BLM St. George, UT (4001 E Aviator Drive) Work Schedule and Flexibilities: Flexible, but would average 8 hours per week Hybrid (In office + telework eligible) Number of Positions: 1 Term: Spring 2027 (90 day term between mid-January and mid-June) This vacancy will be open until Thursday, October 29th, 2026 at 11:59pm ET. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages.

Project Overview The student volunteer will design and implement a pilot outreach program to strengthen community engagement and promote the protection of Holmgren milkvetch, a federally listed endangered plant species occurring on Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-managed lands adjacent to the Sunriver community in St. George, Utah. This project supports agency conservation goals while providing the student with hands-on experience in outreach design, environmental communication, and field-based public engagement.

Some tasks (e.g., designing outreach materials, report writing) may be completed remotely, while field-roving and community interactions require in-person participation. Holmgren milkvetch occupies habitat immediately bordering a residential area with high foot traffic on nearby trails. Increased community awareness and stewardship can reduce unintentional impacts from recreation, vegetation removal, and off-trail travel.

A structured outreach program will help the BLM connect with residents and visitors using those lands.

Project Activities - Design and produce outreach materials (e.g., brochures, trailhead handouts, simple infographics) describing Holmgren milkvetch, its habitat, threats, and how the public can help protect it - Rove local hiking trails adjacent to the Sunriver community to interact with hikers, provide information, and observe recreation patterns - Engage with local residents through informal conversations or small community touchpoints - Identify additional opportunities for BLM-community collaboration (such as signage suggestions, community events, neighborhood presentations, or volunteer stewardship days) The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program, as authorized under 5 U.S.C §31114 and 5 CFR Part 3085, enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration.

These assignments are designed to align with each agency's strategic priorities, offering participants practical experience within Federal operations while supporting the advancement of targeted initiatives.