By Crystal Thompson
Larry Denny of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office in Casper, Wyo. visited the Montana State University Northern campus Thursday to discuss the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP).
The SCEP runs through several federal agencies including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the BLM. Denny's presentation focused on the program as it runs through the BLM.
Students from MSU Northern gathered to find out about the career oppurtunities available through the BLM. Denny explained that the SCEP was implemented to diversify the work force of the BLM and create a pipeline of talented and motivated students for entry level positions. The SCEP offers students an oppurtunity to gain valuable work experience while still in school. As an employee of the BLM, students would earn sick and vacation time along with regular wages.
Students involved in the SCEP may be employed year-round or choose to work seasonally while not attending school. In order to be eligible for the SCEP program, students must meet eligibility guidelines, including being enrolled as a degree seeking resident student taking a least a half time course load. It is the intent of the BLM that upon successful completion of the program, which includes 640 hours of academic and career related work, the student trainee is appointed to a career in one of the offices. Placement, however, is not guaranteed.
Training positions available to students participating in the SCEP include archaeologist, botanist, land surveyor, law enforcement ranger, fisheries biologist, range technician, wildlife biologist and more. Tammy Fisher of the Billings BLM office said that Montana will be recruiting six positions throughout the state this year. For more information about the SCEP, contact Fisher at the BLM State Office in Billings at 896-5231 or Larry Denny at the BLM Field Office in Casper, Wyo. at 307-261-7513.
