Intern - ACE Blue Ridge Mountains - National Park
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ, in partnership with Shenandoah National Park, is seeking ONE Collections Management Intern interested in dedicating 18 weeks in support of the National Park Service to provide a broad exposure to museum collections management within the Blue Ridge Mountains of Shenandoah National Park.
The ACE intern will assist the Museum Specialist with management of the park museum collections at the storage repository (Archives Building), Byrd Visitor Center, and two historic house museums – Rapidan Camp, the site of President Herbert Hoover’s Summer White House and Fishing Camp, and Massanutten Lodge (part of a late 1800s resort at Skyland).
This opportunity is ideal for enthusiastic young professionals who are deeply committed to the preservation of our national parks. Applicants must have a strong interest in a career in museum collections management, history, archives, archeology, preservation, museum aspect of natural resource management, or a related discipline.
Start Date: August 12, 2019
End Date: December 15, 2019
*An 18-week minimum commitment is required*
Location: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park contains 196,000 forested acres along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia. The Park’s backcountry of steep rugged terrain contains 500 miles of trails, including 95 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and nearly 80,000 acres of federally designated wilderness. Skyline Drive, the famous scenic tour road through the Park, follows the ridge crest for 105 miles and connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Nearly two million people visit the Park each year to enjoy views from the Skyline Drive, hike trails, rock climb, enjoy nature study, camp, or stay overnight in one of the Park’s rustic lodges or backcountry cabins. The Park supports approximately 1400 vascular plant species, numerous state-rare plant species, and a variety of forest community types. The mountain streams are inhabited by 39 species of fishes, over 230 species of aquatic invertebrates and provide some of the best protected strongholds for native eastern brook trout south of Maine.
Project Website: For more information regarding Shenandoah National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm. For more information on American Conservation Experience and the Internship Program, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.
Compensation: The ACE Interns will receive a living allowance of $150/week to cover the cost of food and incidental expenses, paid bi-weekly. ACE interns will be accommodated in park housing at no cost for the duration of the internship.
Also, a $500 travel allowance will be distributed evenly throughout the internship to aid in the costs of relocation and commuting to the duty station.
AmeriCorps: This internship may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($~1,500.00) upon successful completion of internship service hours. Additional enrollment is required.
Scheduling: ~8 hour days Monday through Friday service days should be anticipated.
Housing: Housing consists of several homes with double occupancy bedrooms. Housing will most likely be in Luray, VA or within 10 miles. If housing is located further than 10 miles from Luray, VA, a government vehicle will be provided for transportation to and from work site. Luray, VA is 5 miles from Park Headquarters and has all of the standard amenities (Grocery stores, movie theater, shops, restaurants, library etc.). Laundry facilities are also available at park housing locations.
Cell phone reception is not always reliable and personal vehicle required due to the site being remote and there is no reliable public transportation. The Intern will have use of a government vehicle for work related travel.
Position Description: This position will provide a broad exposure to museum collections encompassing cultural and natural collection material. The intern will be assisting with the management of park museum collections at the storage repository (Archives Building), Byrd Visitor Center, and two historic house museums – Rapidan Camp, the site of President Herbert Hoover’s Summer White House and Fishing Camp, and Massanutten Lodge (part of a late 1800s resort at Skyland). Duties include:
- Performing routine museum preservation of stored museum objects, historic structures and furnishings
- Preservation of housing of museum objects
- Museum documentation – cataloging (emphasis on natural history collections) using DOI Museum Collections Software (ICMS), inventory, record photography, and scanning and image editing
- Environmental monitoring including temperature and humidity, light readings, and integrated pest management
- Assist with researcher requests and possibly oral histories
- Other duties may be assigned as mutually agreed upon
Physical Demands: Ability to lift artifact boxes, furniture, and equipment (50 lbs); ability to bend, stoop and crawl; work in variable temperatures (hot, cool, and humid). May entail some hiking over rough terrain (level to extremely steep and rocky); willingness to be exposed to hazards of the field environment (inclement weather, ticks, stinging insects, bears). Intern may see black bears, serve in venomous snake habitat, be exposed to bugs, ticks, and poison ivy, and get bruises/scratches
Educational and Training Opportunities: The staff at Shenandoah National Park will coordinate with the intern to set up educational cross-training days as interest and opportunities allow. Topics may include plant restoration, invasive plant control, vegetative monitoring/sampling, fisheries, wildlife, trail work, historic structures, archeological location searching, GIS/use of GPS equipment, interpretation, or student education.
Qualifications: Applicants for the position will hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or experience in museum studies, history, archeology, archives, natural resource management (specimen identification and documentation), cultural/historic preservation, or a related discipline. The ACE NPS Collections Management 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.
Required:
- Internship is available to US Citizens and Permanent Residents only
- Must be 18-35 years of age (Interns must be 21-35 to apply for any ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties.)
- Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals within NPS
- Must have excellent organization skills in terms of cataloging, keeping inventory, and scanning/editing images
- Deep interest in cultural/historic preservation, museum preservation, and respect for nature is critical
- Knowledge of, or willing to research and learn about the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachians
- Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to provide documentation; personal vehicle required
- Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check is required
- English proficiency
Preferred:
- Ability to work alone and in a group
- Excellent public speaking skills with diverse audiences
- Museum collections experience
- Environmental monitoring experience such as temperature/humidity readings, light readings, and integrated pest management
- Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome
The ACE 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.
To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website or through the external link on Handshake.
NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Recruitment Specialist, Dave Hecker at (801) 386-1629 or dhecker@usaconservation.org.