Solicitation of Applications for BLMs Volunteer Program Adjunct Team; DD: 01/25/2013
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTWASHINGTON, D.C. 20240http://www.blm.govDecember 20, 2012In Reply Refer To:1114 (420) P EMS TRANSMISSION 01/07/2013Information Bulletin No. 2013-026 To: All WO and Field OfficialsFrom: Assistant Director, Office of the National Landscape Conservation System And Community PartnershipsSubject: Solicitation of Applications for BLM’s Volunteer Program Adjunct Team DD: 01/25/2013The Washington Office (WO) Division of Education, Interpretation and Partnerships is seeking new membership for the Volunteer Program Adjunct Team (VPAT). Please encourage Volunteer Coordinators or Resource Specialists who work with volunteers to apply for positions on this team.The VPAT, first established nearly two decades ago, is an interdisciplinary team composed of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) staff who work closely with volunteers and who coordinate volunteer programming and projects in their regions or states. The team assists with national volunteer program initiatives and provides technical support and services to the field. It plays an important role in representing Field Office needs and perspectives to the WO. Team members serve a term of two to three years (depending on interest and availability). Members may also serve as instructors for the BLM’s Basic Volunteer Administration (BVA) training course (1102-2), a two day “nuts and bolts” introduction to operating a successful volunteer program at BLM offices.Serving on VPAT provides members the opportunity to gain a broad perspective of the Volunteer Program by working with headquarters staff and Volunteer Coordinators throughout the country. Membership in VPAT also allows individuals to share their personal experiences and perspectives to help shape and promote the Volunteer Program bureau-wide, as well as offering the chance to gain and exercise leadership skills on a national level. In-person meetings involving all team members are held annually with travel costs borne by the WO (contingent on available funding). Conference calls are held routinely and team members collaborate by email as needed; members also take on occasional assignments in support of the Volunteer Program. Overall, the time commitment for members is not excessive; if VPAT members also serve as BVA course instructors, they are asked to teach, on average, two on-site courses per year, with travel and per diem paid for by the WO.Please use the attached application to apply for membership in VPAT, and submit applications to Linda Schnee, National Volunteer Program Lead in BLM’s Division of Education, Interpretation, and Partnerships, at lschnee@blm.gov. Applications must be accompanied by a letter of support from the applicant’s supervisor. Questions can be directed to Linda via email or you may reach her by phone at 202-912-7453. Submissions should be received by January 25, 2013. Applicants will be notified as soon as possible following the selection of candidates.Signed by: Authenticated by:Elena Fink Ambyr FowlerActing Assistant Director Division of IRM Governance, WO-560National Landscape Conservation and Community PartnershipsAttachment