Summer 2019 Intern Program Comes to a Close

This summer, the BLM Office of Recruitment and Retention selected 95 Direct Hire Authority interns for a variety of positions throughout the agency. Each intern was carefully selected and assigned to a program relating to their individual field of study, including archaeology, biology, and cartography, among others. 
 

From left to right: BLM DHA interns Rachel Moulton, Lis Mota, and Audrey Sauvey in Moreno Valley, California 

The BLM takes pride in its intern program as it serves the next generation of conservation leaders. This year's group of 95 had a lot to offer, bringing new concepts and viewpoints to the area of land management. 
Over the last three months, they have also gained real-world experience. Through a special hiring authority, they are now eligible for a direct appointment to any BLM vacancy, provided they meet OPM's qualifications. 
 

Lauren Hazzard, Park Ranger in Pompeys Pillar National Monument 

One such intern is Brennan Edwards, who spent his summer in the Director's Office, where he served in the roles of a Project Manager, Advisor, and Executive Assistant, receiving mentorship from BLM officials along the way. 
 

Brennan Edwards, Intern Manager and Program Analyst 

Brennan came to BLM as a graduate of Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania, where he earned his degree in Political Science with Environmental Science, taking courses such as Environmental Policy, Waste Management, and Data Analysis. He taught renewable energy management concepts to area high school students. He also served as an Environmental Health and Safety Intern with Suez Environment, an organization created to help societies shift to a sustainable relationship with the planet, to conserve and optimize natural resources. 

While at Lincoln, he first learned about the BLM through its Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences organization. He welcomed the opportunity to prove himself at a government agency whose mission he truly respected. 
 

Mohammed Alamri and Shadhan Alkharusi, Civil Engineers in Roswell, New Mexico 

Brennan took a particular interest in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which he plans to study further as he begins his career. He participated in a series of tours conducted by the DHA program, and was given the opportunity to host a presentation for BLM's Director, Casey Hammond. 

"All of my experiences brought me more confidence, awareness, and skill in handling governmental-level tasks and projects," Brennan said. "That is just something I couldn't have done without this DHA internship." 
 

Christine Longjohn, Biological Science Technician in Winnemucca, Nevada