DayRows - (Remote) Reclamation Financial Assistance Intern

Hispanic Access Foundation Denver, CO Remote

2022-04-02

(Remote) Reclamation Financial Assistance Intern

$17 - $22 an hour

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Position: Reclamation Financial Assistance Intern

Duration: 11 week internship, full time. Flexible start date between May 2022-August 2022. Possibility exists for extension if desired and applicable to candidate’s availability.

Location: Denver CO, remote internship.

Internship Description:

The Bureau of Reclamation is partnering with Hispanic Access Foundation to bring on a financial assistant intern to our Financial Assistance & Property Management Division. The intern will support the FAPMD office by completing a rigorous project which will challenge them to evaluate financial support systems and provide recommendations to improve them at the conclusion of their internship.

Financial Assistant Interns will be assigned to a 11-week project that will align with their education, experience, and career goals. Examples of potential projects could be;

Evaluate financial reporting systems and make recommendations for changes to procedures or operating systems;
Evaluate data pertaining to costs and budgets and track requests to amendment modifications;
Create or update training materials detailing how to correctly submit financial assistance requests;
Conduct needs assessments to identify document management requirements;
Research the amount of elapsed time between each stage of the award process and seek ways to improve efficiency;
Assess information sharing needs within Reclamation’s financial assistance community;
Evaluate the quality of project financial summaries and make recommendations for improvement.

The internship will conclude with the Intern giving a presentation on their experience, research, and further recommendations to key Reclamation stakeholders.

Interns will be assigned a mentor and participate in weekly meetings with said mentor and other bureau personnel to discuss their project, gather information, and provide recommendations. Interns will be provided the opportunity to attend meetings related to the Department of Interior and Reclamation financial planning and property management communities to gain a broader understanding of the processes that influence Reclamation’s Financial management operations. These meetings provide an excellent opportunity to develop communication skills and an understanding of federal government civil service.

Resource Assistant Internship (RAI) Program and Direct Hire Authority: Reclamation’s RAI Program provides a pathway for Reclamation hiring managers to non-competitively hire RAI participants (or “Interns”) to permanent positions who have successfully completed a rigorous 11-week Summer Internship, approved by the Reclamation RAI Review Board and Human Capital Officer. Eligible Interns must be enrolled in accredited post-secondary degree programs to apply and participate in the paid Internship opportunity. While participating in the 11-week paid Internship, Interns will prove their analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills at Reclamation sites or offices. After successful completion of an Internship and subsequently achieving their degree, hiring managers

have two years from the Intern’s graduation date to non-competitively appoint them to a vacancy for which they qualify. After successful completion of all program requirements, Interns may be converted to a permanent position, but conversion is neither guaranteed nor promised.

Project Background:

The Bureau of Reclamation produces dams and hydroelectricity for western states. We are the largest wholesaler of water in the country, bringing water to more than 31 million people and providing one out of five Western farmers with irrigation water. Reclamation is also the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States. With 53 powerplants we annually provide electricity to 3.5 million homes. Reclamation is a bureau under the Department of Interior, and we are committed to the conservation of US land and the protection of natural resources in the interest of the American public.

The Financial Assistance and Property Management Division (FAPMD) is an essential line of support for these hydrology projects. FAPMD issues financial assistance through grants and cooperative agreement awards for all activities that meet the Reclamation mission and Department of the Interior’s top priorities. This division is also responsible for Reclamation’s development and implementation of property management policy and guidelines, which gives the intern lots of opportunities to learn in different fundamental management support areas. While opportunities in the FAPMD are growing, we are seeking a student to come explore opportunities in this division and then gain hiring authority when they graduate from their program.

Interns will work and communicate with a HAF Program Manager during their internship. interns will be expected to participate in scheduled conference calls, webinars, and meetings conducted throughout their term. interns will capture photos and/or videos for reporting purposes and submit 4 blog posts highlighting their experience and development.

Special or Preferred skills

The ideal candidate:

Has experience or education in financial planning
Is proficient in communicating clearly
Has the ability to work independently in a remote setting
Uses critical thinking skill to solve problems in an innovative way and think of potential projects
Experience in budget and cost analysis OR information system management.
Past leadership experience
Interest in learning about strategic workforce planning in the federal government

Minimum Qualifications.

Available to work full-time (40 hours per week), for the entirety of the 11 week internship
Must be enrolled in a post-secondary education program at the start of the internship
3rd or 4th year undergraduate student or graduate student
Ability to work independently in a remote setting
Education, coursework, or experience in the following disciplines: Financial Management, Business Administration and Management, Accounting, Management Science & Quantitative Methods, Management Information Systems, Economics, Purchasing, Acquisitions and Contracts Management, Entrepreneurial Studies, Project Management
US citizenship or permanent residency. Interns must undergo a government background check if selected.

Stipend + Benefits.

Approximately $680-$840 per week. Hourly pay will be equivalent to approximately $17 to $22 an hour, depending on the applicant’s qualifications.
- Undergraduate student (currently junior or senior): $680/week
- Graduate student: $840/week
Direct Hire Authority Eligibility

Working Conditions.

Interns will conduct daily duties in an online/virtual capacity. Interns will have weekly meetings with the Supervisor/mentor to continually track Project progression, amend milestones appropriately, and discuss professional development goals. Interns will have Mid-term and End-term performance evaluations with the Supervisor. This one-on-one performance evaluation covers technical competence, workload management, communication, leadership characteristics, and ability to work independently.

Application

HAF is managing the recruitment for these positions. All applications should be submitted through HAF’s MANO Project application page. A resume and two references will be required for submission. Your application or resume should include professional and educational experience, along with any awards, technical skills or volunteer activities. Application questions or issues may be directed to Crystal Strong ( crystal@hispanicaccess.org).

Applications for this position are due on Sunday, April 17, 2022 at 11:59 pm EDT. Phone interviews and final decisions will be made by the end of April/ early May.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process should contact Hispanic Access Foundation directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Mission: The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. At Reclamation, our core values are professional excellence, safety, and Respect.

Hispanic Access Foundation Mission: Hispanic Access Foundation (Hispanic Access) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization that connects Latinos and People of Color to partners and opportunities improving lives and creating an equitable society. Hispanic Access’s vision is that all Hispanics throughout the U.S. enjoy good physical health, a healthy natural environment, a quality education, economic success and civic engagement in their communities with the sum improving the future of America.