Youth Conservation Program
OVERVIEW Promote and stimulate public purposes such as education, job training, development of responsible citizenship, productive community involvement, and furthering the understanding and appreciation of natural and cultural resources through the involvement of local youth and young adults in the care and enhancement of public resources. Continue the long-standing efforts of Reclamation to provide opportunities for public service youth employment, development, and training of young people regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and the participation of young adults in accomplishing conservation related work which clearly represents public benefit as exemplified through Reclamation support of programs such as the Federal Youth Conservation Corps, Americorps, National Civilian Community Corps, and state and local Conservation Corps. Build upon the good record established by each Corps, of restoring and maintaining Reclamation resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Cooperate with one another for mutual benefit and for the general benefit of the people of the United States and future generations. Recipient Responsibilities The Recipient shall carry out the Scope of Work in accordance with the terms and conditions stated herein. The Recipient shall adhere to Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes, as applicable, and shall coordinate with Reclamation on all required approvals and permits. The following are specific Recipient Responsibilities to this award: 1. Maintain its current general liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage, subject to the usual and customary policy conditions (including standard exclusion on vehicles licensed for highway use and on property in the care, custody and control of the policyholder.) In addition, the Recipient shall maintain its current accidental death and dismemberment and accidental medical expense policy and injury insurance for the conservation interns. For the purpose of the workers compensation claims, responsibility and coverage are borne by Reclamation. 2. Provide 24-hour, 7 days a week risk management support to all The Great Basin Institute volunteers and partners. Crew leaders will monitor and respond to any type of accident and injury. 3. Provide assistance to Reclamation for review of recipient program descriptions that Reclamation may wish to participate. This includes program listings, samples of program request forms, and application forms. 4. Provide a comprehensive annual performance report of all activities and achievements along with participant demographic information. 5. Treat each project or activity under this agreement individually, with more detail included in project statements, project plans and budgets. 6. Provide Conservation Interns opportunities to undertake work projects under the oversight of Reclamation employees, where appropriate. 7. Provide opportunities for crew leaders to work under the direction of the Reclamation GOTR. 8. Provide safety training to project crew, crew leaders and interns, ensuring that all participants are informed on safety regulations and practices applicable to each project undertaking. 9. Provide conservation crews with food, camping equipment, and all required education, first aid, recreation and general supplies. 10. Manage and carry out all administrative functions associated with services under this cooperative agreement, except those related to the performance and work assignments for the participants or as otherwise specified herein. 11. Process all administrative procedures and maintain all administrative records required for operation and management of national conservation crew program participants and conservation intern program. 12. Recruit, appoint place and retain qualified U.S. citizens for Conservation Intern positions defined above, in collaboration with Reclamation. 13. Any government furnished equipment will be used exclusively for completing tasks identified within the statement of work identified in the Task Agreement. All such items shall be turned in the same condition received except for normal wear and tear in project use. 14. Coordinate with Reclamation to locate alternative housing if Reclamation furnished housing is not available at the site. Reclamation is not responsible for direct payment for housing when a housing allotment is provided as part of the financial assistance for the project. 15. Oversee, direct and take corrective measures for all interns, crews, and team leaders provided to Reclamation including, but not limited to, establishing standards for behavior, taking appropriate disciplinary action, and if necessary removal and/or replacement of staff. 16. Implement a safety program which includes daily briefings and provide the crews with work appropriate tools, safety gear, and safety plans. 17. The recipient may issue recipient uniforms for conservation interns at the recipientÂ’s expense. The recipientÂ’s uniform shall have no similarity to ReclamationÂ’s logo. Reclamation Responsibilities Reclamation will monitor and provide federal oversight of activities performed under this Agreement. Monitoring and oversight includes review and approval of financial status and performance reports, payment requests, and any other deliverables identified as part of the Scope of Work. Additional monitoring activities may include site visits, conference calls, and other on-site and off-site monitoring activities. At the RecipientÂ’s request, Reclamation may also provide technical assistance to the Recipient in support of the Scope of Work and objectives of this Agreement. Substantial involvement by Reclamation is anticipated during the performance of activities funded under this cooperative agreement. In support of this Agreement, Reclamation will be responsible for the following: 1. At the RecipientÂ’s request, Reclamation will provide technical assistance to the Recipient in support of the scope of work and objectives of this agreement and subsequent Task Agreements. 2. Provide a scope of work for individual tasks in the areas of resource management, education, interpretation, community outreach, and recreation programs as they are identified and as funding allows to the Recipient. Conservation crew projects will generally involve repair and maintenance, including repairing bridges, repair and stabilizing structures, repairing and maintenance of recreation facilities and trails, habitat improvement stream clearance and other projects suitable for crews. 3. Reclamation will work collaboratively and substantially with the Recipient to develop and manage youth conservation activities including providing oversight and technical assistance to the Recipient and the youth participants in the activities funded through Task Agreement under this Master Cooperative Agreement. 4. Provide project tasks with a duration of two to five weeks, or as otherwise mutually agreed upon. Each project will be defined through a task agreement which will include a Statement of Work, detailing the RecipientÂ’s responsibilities and the time and place of performance. 5. Provide appropriate staff oversight, specifications and guidance for work assigned to conservation interns and conservation intern teams. 6. Provide transportation, as requested by the Recipient and when possible, to carry out assigned projects during the project period. 7. Provide conservation crews suitable camping sites with access to potable water. In remote locations without cellular phone reception, safety equipment will include at least one method of emergency communications, including radio, satellite phone, or other emergency locator beacon/messenger device (including SPOT emergency messenger devices). 8. Provide a written performance evaluation for each project, conservation intern, intern teams or conservation crew under this agreement, as appropriate. 9. As requested by the Recipient, make available training opportunities to participants and crew leaders that will make their service more effective. 10. Have final determination regarding participation of any candidate should there be a conflict of interest or other ethical issue. 11. Ensure the availability of camping locations (facilities or backcountry) for the duration of each project. The final dispensation of appropriate lodging arrangements will be outlined in each Task agreement, as appropriate. Joint Responsibilities: 1. Design and implement conservation related projects. 2. Create a cooperative partnership to maximize the benefit from the project accomplished by Reclamation and the Recipient. 3. Complete all projects in a cost-effective and efficient manner. 4. Provide educational programs to the young people working on the conservation related projects at Reclamation sites. 5. Upon identification of an existing or potential health, safety or environmental issue, the Recipient will promptly notify and inform Reclamation. As appropriate, both parties will work together to remedy the existing or potential problem. If a corrective action is not available, Reclamation may order a stop of all or part of the project activity. Once resolved the Recipient will be notified by Reclamation when work may resume.
Office: Bureau of Reclamation
Grants Officer
Phone 702-293-8570
