Resource Assistant Program Annual Report 2020-2021 : simplebooklet.com

2The RAP is a rigorous and immersive, paid internship for individuals who are interested in conservation, natural and cultural resources, environmental management, research and development, or other career opportunities with land management agencies (as dened in statute). The program emphasizes the engagement of current students, recent graduates, and underrepresented populations in natural and cultural resources work. The RAP facilitates work and learning experiences for participants, under the supervision and coaching of Forest Service sta, while contributing to mission‐critical work that demonstrates leadership, critical thinking, and strategic communication. After completing a minimum of 960 hours of satisfactory work as an RA and obtaining a post‐secondary degree (associate degree or higher), RAs may become eligible for the RAP noncompetitive hiring authority (Direct Hiring Authority/DHA) and receive a 2‐year certicate of eligibility. This certicate enables participants to apply to internal merit announcements for qualifying, permanent General Schedule (GS) Forest Service positions for 2 years from the date the certicate of eligibility is signed. RAs may serve over multiple years to complete the minimum 960 hours. Although there is no limit on the total number of hours RAs can work or the time period in which they can serve, RAs may not work more than 3,500 hours over a given 2‐year period.What is the Resource Assistant Program (RAP)?Attract and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce to support the Forest Service’s mission to “sustain the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.” Program ObjectivesEngage highly motivated candidates through internships under the supervision and coaching of Forest Service sta. Instill stewardship values in the next generation of natural and cultural resource management professionals through career exploration and professional development. Expand and enhance the capacity of the Forest Service to accomplish mission-critical work and high-priority projects.

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“I think the internship program is going really great! Marissa is a star intern, a great worker, smart, takes initiative and has been learning so much! We hope we can keep her aer the internship!”Andrew Tremayne / Supervisor at Wayne National Forest Marissa Jayawickrema at Wayne National ForestMarissa Jayawickrema at Wayne National Forest3The Corps Network (TCN)The Corps Network (TCN) is the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps. Their 130+ Corps provide young adults and veterans the opportunity to serve our country through projects on public lands and in rural and urban communities. The Corps Network supports Corps by advocating on their behalf, providing access to funding and project opportunities, and by oering expertise in Corps operations and programming. The Corps Network‐RAP partnership is limited to accredited TCN aliates only.www.corpsnetwork.orgProgram AdministrationEnvironment for the Americas (EFTA)Environment for the Americas is present across the Americas and the Caribbean, working with biologists and educators to raise awareness of threats to our planet and to bring practical conservation solutions to communities throughout the region. We strive to bridge the communication gap between scientists and the public and to bring diverse faces to World Migratory Bird Day events, programs, and our trainings. EFTA is sub-contracted by TCN as a RAP partner.www.environmentamericas.orgWorld Migratory Bird DayProgram ContactsThe Corps Network● Hillari Howard / Program Manager● 202.737.6272 x 120● HHoward@corpsnetwork.orgEnvironment for the Americas● Barbara Pazos / Program Manager● 305.354.6681● bpazos@environmentamericas.org

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4RAP 2020-2021 Host Sites and Supervisors● Green Mountain/Finger Lakes National Forest - Rutland, VT Donna Grosz, Public Services Sta Ocer - donna.grosz@usda.gov● Wayne National Forest - Nelsonville, OH Andrew Tremayne, Heritage Program Manager and Tribal Liaison - andrew.tremayne@usda.gov● Monongahela National Forest - Elkins, WV Kelly Bridges, Public Aairs Ocer - kelly.bridges@usda.gov● Shawnee National Forest - Harrisburg, IL Chad Deaton, Supervisory Natural Resource Specialist - chad.deaton@usda.gov● Kisatchie National Forest - Winneld, LA x 2 Lee Willaert, Timber Crew Supervisor - lee.willaert@usda.gov● Kisatchie National Forest - Bellwood, LA Albert Brazzel, District Ranger - albert.brazzel@usda.govGaby Villegas MartinezGaby Villegas Martinez

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5Intern prolesKaston Bonner Timber Marker at Kisatchie National Forest - Winnfield, LAKaston attended Louisiana State University at Alexandria and pursued an Associates of Science degree in General Science. He was very interested in the Timber Marker internship with RAP, as he had already volunteered over 100 hours in the Winn Ranger District, primarily working with the timber marking crew. He gained valuable experience while volunteering and has learned a wealth of knowledge in the timber area. Kaston has determined that he would truly enjoy a career with the U.S. Forest Service, particularly in the eld of forestry. He has always enjoyed the outdoors and realizes that a career with the Forest Service would greatly complement his outdoor lifestyle. His goals are to complete this internship and hopefully be oered a full time job working for the Forest Service.Heidi Leigh Boles Information Receptionist at Kisatchie National Forest - Bellwood, LAHeidi is 20 years old and is currently enrolled in Central Louisiana Technical Community College where she is majoring in Business Administration with a general concentration. Going to school for business has proved how much she knew she loved that line of work. She has always enjoyed working in an oce space in a team environment. Heidi was born and raised in Kisatchie, Louisiana. She was brought up in the shing and hunting world, and has been on the backroads more times than she could count. She feels that getting the chance to work in a job like this, in her own home roots, is such an amazing opportunity.Marissa Dileni Jayawickrema Heritage & Archeology Intern at Wayne National Forest - Nelsonville, OHMarissa graduated from the University of Hartford in May of 2019, where she studied history and environmental studies. This combination gave her the ability to learn about human interaction with the land. During that time, she worked on trail crews which showed her how the environment is directly aected by human interaction, and taught her how people can responsibly manage land and build a harmonious relationship with their environment. Marissa also spent time as an intern and volunteer at museums. There, she learned how to interpret artefacts in a collection for exhibit displays and how to manage acquisition lists and internal databases. She enjoyed being a history major because she was able to conduct research, attend conferences and participate in evolving narratives.

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6Kristiana (Ana) Yui Petrie Trails/Wilderness Intern at Shawnee National Forest - Harrisburg, ILAna is a recent college graduate with double majors in Environmental Science and Biology. Ever since she volunteered for a youth conservation corps four years ago, she’s been passionate about conservation in all its forms, including habitat restoration, native plant management, and trail work. Ana had taken a break from conservation and was trying out farming, so she was looking forward to getting back into conservation and trail work with this internship. In the future, Ana hopes to use what she’s learned to benet her hometown and allow for easier public access to nature.Eddy Lauren Kapp Timber Marker at Kisatchie National Forest - Winnfield, LAEddy is a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Natural Resource Conservation Science and Management from the University of British Columbia. She was interested in the Resource Assistant Program to gain meaningful experience in resource management with the US Forest Service. She would like to expand her professional workspace skills and increase her eld work experience. Through this internship, Eddy hopes to gain insight where future research would make an impact, and focus on that topic in graduate school. After graduate school she hopes to work for the government as a government scientist managing natural resources of the continued use of the land for the future, and this program will have given her experience working for the US Forest Service and Federal Government. Alexandra (Alex) Williams Public Affairs Intern at Monongahela National Forest - Elkins, WVAlex graduated in May 2020 from George Mason University with a B.S. in Applied Global Conservation. She is interested in developing her science communication skills in rural communities. She wants to become more comfortable working in rural communities, which will translate to her professional goal of working with indigenous communities. Alex also plans to engage with vulnerable communities to expand sustainable resource management techniques, build resiliency against the eects of climate change, and improve response systems for natural disaster events. She hopes to gain more resource management skills as she plans to apply to graduate school for resource management after the conclusion of this internship.Gabriela (Gaby) Villegas Martinez Partnerships, Grants, and Recreation Intern at Green Mountain/Finger Lakes National Forest - Rutland, VTGaby has recently obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. She is interested in working towards wildlife conservation and rehabilitation as well as ongoing projects that will provide people the resources and skills to help protect the environment in their everyday lives. As her career progresses, she would like to lead communities towards a more eco-friendly way of life with minor changes such plastic bag usage reduction or composting food that will reach its expiration date in their backyard.Another one of Gaby’s goals is to teach the human population how to look at our fellow inhabitants of the planet. She believes that rather than fearing unknown or unbecoming species, it would be a great achievement if we were to share our knowledge with our neighbors and have them relate their ordinary lives to those of animals that they nd unappealing.

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“”e RAP program has been a joy to work with. It has worked out just as intended. All administrators have been very informative and have made the process move awlessly. We are proud to have our intern and look forward to the pos-sibility of hiring her permanently.Albert Brazzel / Supervisor at Kisatchie National Foreste Resource Assistant Program (RAP) is a tremendous program that provides opportunities to individuals that oth-erwise might never experience the Forest Service and all it has to oer. e Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests had the privilege to host a Resource Assistant over the past six months. Gaby has been a pure pleasure to work with and to get to know. She has supported many of our sta areas by working with them or on special projects and, hopefully, has learned along the way about leadership, environmental management and stewardship, and discovered the many careers the Forest Service has to oer.Donna Grosz / Supervisor at Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National ForestsRAP has been such a great opportunity for me to be introduced into the Forest Service. Everyone has been welcoming, making me really feel as part of the team. I have learned valuable skills and have built on my eld experience during my time here. I have specically enjoyed getting to work with other departments and having the opportunity to take a variety of trainings. As an intern, I found that valuable to identify where my interests lie.Eddy Lauren Kapp / Intern at Kisatchie National Foreste RA program has helped me build a strong network of peers and mentors that have supported me through this stressful past year.Alex Williams / Intern at Monongahela National ForestI'm a Trail Work Resource Assistant (RA) for Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. Having done a trail type of internship before, I thought I knew what to expect. While some things were familiar, there's so much more that I've been able to do and learn as an RA. Not only have I had the chance to grow in my trail work skills, but I've also had the opportunity to shadow other departments and learn about things that I normally wouldn't be able to. I've had a lot of fun being an RA, so I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the Forest Service!Ana Petrie / Intern at Shawnee National Forest e RA program was a fantastic way to learn new skills like GIS, surveying and monitoring cultural resources. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to work in archeology on a National Forest!Marissa Dileni Jayawickrema / Intern at Wayne National Forest8Quotes from Supervisors & InternsHeidi Boles at Kisatchie National ForestHeidi Boles at Kisatchie National ForestAlex Williams at Monongahela National ForestAlex Williams at Monongahela National Forest

Resource Assistant Program Annual Report 2020-2021

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