Job Title: Outreach and Interpretation Internship
Company: American Conservation Experience
Location: Tulelake, CA
Website: http://www.usaconservation.org
Apply to: Click Here to Apply
Job Type: Internship
American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service Tule Lake Unit, WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument (TULE), is seeking one Outreach and Interpretation Intern interested in dedicating 16 weeks in support of the National Park Service in creating and providing interpretive programs on the cultural resources of the Tule Lake Unit. Intern will also assist the development of materials to be added into media stations.
This excellent opportunity is ideal for an enthusiastic young professional who is deeply committed to the preservation of our national parks. Applicants must have strong interest in a career in cultural resource management and interpretation. TULE is unique among America’s National Parks as it preserves the history of Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII without due process.
Start Date: May 23, 2015
End Date: September 12, 2015
A 16-week (450 hours) commitment is required
Location: Tulelake, CA.
The Tule Lake Unit includes three locations in and around the town of Tulelake CA, located about eight miles south of the California / Oregon border. The visitor center which is the primary duty stations is located in the Tulelake at the Tulelake – Butte Valley fairgrounds. Offsite housing will be provided at the nearby Fish and Wildlife Service located about 5 miles Tulelake. In Tulelake you can secure fuel, and basic grocery necessities. There are three restaurant options either in or near Tulelake. Less than an hour north you can also access Klamath Falls, OR this is where you will want to do most of your shopping. You’ll find lots of shopping options for groceries and other basic needs, and well as several restaurant options and entertainment options.
Project Website: For more information regarding the Tule Lake Unit, or the National Park Service, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/tule/index.htm, For more information on the ACE Internship Program (EPIC), please visit: www.usaconservation.org
Compensation: The ACE intern will work 40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $110/week. Onsite dormitory housing is provided by US Fish and Wildlife Service (no pets or family members) at no cost to the individual. The intern will have use of a government vehicle for work related travel but must provide their own mode of transportation for getting to-and-from the Monument and for personal time off.
AmeriCorps: This position is eligible for a 450 hour Education award ($1493) upon successful completion of internship service hours. Additional enrollment is required.
Position Description: In support of the mission of the National Park Service, the fundamental work performed by Interpretation Intern is:
Resource Interpretation – Interpreting the significance and uniqueness of park cultural resources, and the laws, rules, and regulations developed to protect park resources and provide for their safe and non-consumptive use.
Resource Protection – Preserving the cultural resources of the park by preventing degradation of, historical structures and artifacts and by preventing the loss and theft of objects through information and education.
This will be achieved through the development and presentation of interpretive programs, front desk public contacts, and other interpretation activities.
Project Background and Objectives: The Tule Lake Unit is located in remote northeastern California and is the location where approximately 30,000 persons of Japanese Ancestry were incarcerated during WWII. It is also protects and interprets one of the few remaining Civilian Conservation Corp camps, which was later used as a German and Italian Prisoner of War camp. The Tule Lake Unit is newer NPS site and is still in development stages allowing the intern a behind the scenes look at how a NPS site grows in its early years.
Scope of Work: The position is 40 hours/week. Interns work primarily within the Interpretation division, interpreting the Monument’s incredible cultural and historical resources to park visitors and school groups. The intern will primarily be serving at the visitor center and throughout the park at key visitor use locations. Intern will staff the visitor center front desk, where they will be responsible for providing accurate information about the park and surrounding area to visitors.
Projects include developing new interpretive programs, maintaining program statistics, and creating visual aids. Interns will also learn and present pre-developed education programs to school groups. They will also assist with special events and work on independent projects as needed. Intern will also research and create talks to present to general visitors.
The Intern will serve the NPS TULE mission by enthusiastically working to fulfill the following responsibilities:
- Develop and give interpretive programs to general visitors
- Provide outreach education programs to pre-K through middle school aged students
- Program preparation, lesson revision, lesson development, related activities
- Riding in and driving government vehicles
- Assistance with office projects and park emergencies
Training Provided: The intern will receive training in park resource knowledge, delivery of curriculum-based programs, development of interpretive programs, report writing, and other position related skills, as well as safety training and oversight. ACE and NPS are committed to providing the most educational, rewarding, and challenging experience possible to best prepare interns for future careers in the stewardship of America’s parks and public lands. The NPS Education Specialist also provides coaching throughout the internship, allowing interns the chance for continuous improvement.
Driving training will be provided on how to operate electric vehicles, and a 3-4 hour online defensive driving training is offered.
Qualifications: Applicants for the position will hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and/or experience in interpretation, cultural resource management, history, park management, or a related discipline. The intern will be resourceful, adaptable, and able to work comfortably alone or in a group. The ACE NPS TULE Interpretation Intern must be willing and able to represent ACE and the NPS in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. Drug users should not consider applying, as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.
Requirements:
- Must be a US Citizens or Green Card holder.
- Must be 18 to 25 years old. Recent graduates from a relevant MA/MS program ages 25-29 are also eligible to apply.
- Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals within NPS.
- Must have effective communication skills with diverse audiences; ability to work alone and in a group.
- Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to provide documentation; personal vehicle required so you can access Tulelake or Klamath Falls.
- Personal medical insurance for the duration of their participation with ACE.
- Deep interest in history, research and respect for nature is critical.
- Must be able and willing to work outdoors, in varying weather conditions, and capable of participating in physical labor.
- English proficiency is imperative.
- Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge and skills in the principles of education and interpretation.
- A strong demonstrated interest and/or education in the field of cultural resources.
- Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills.
- Excellent public speaking skills.
- Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome. Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese are especially useful in this park.
Physical Demands: The Interpretation Internship position is high energy and can be stressful, due to the volume of contacts. The position may require driving in rain, snow, on icy roads, before sunrise, and after sunset. It requires working with all ages of children, in any educational setting, as well as with teachers, aids, and parents. The position requires walking up to four miles over uneven terrain at elevation while leading educational groups. Occasional workdays may exceed 8 hours.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume and cover letter along with 3 professional and/or academic references to the online application page for this position: https://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/33314.html
Please be sure to state your available start date in your application! If you have any questions regarding this position, please call the Internship Program Manager at (801) 946-5379.
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