CRDIP Cultural Resources Member - Wind Cave National Park

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and through the Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program, is seeking a Cultural Resources Member to support Wind Cave National Park's cultural resource operation with tribal nations to document bison cultural significance and begin investigations into potential Co-Stewardship of bison at Wind Cave.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: May 15, 2023

Estimated End Date: August 4, 2023

*a 12-week minimum commitment is required *

The Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program (CRDIP) is a professional development internship that introduces students and recent graduates, from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the National Parks, to career opportunities within Cultural Resource Management in the NPS. CRDIP participants will have the opportunity to attend several professional development webinars as well as write blogs or create videos about their projects throughout their term. To learn more: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/join-us.htm

Location: Wind Cave National Park- Hot Springs, SD

Wind Cave National Park protects two very different worlds - one deep within the earth, the other a sunlit world of many resources. Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America's oldest national parks. Below the remnant island of intact prairie sits Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. The Black Hills are sacred to many Native Americans and there are 20 Tribes with cultural or historic ties specifically to Wind Cave National Park. For the Lakota Tribes in particular, Wind Cave plays a central role in their history and culture because the cave entrance is their origin site, where they emerged onto this world. For more information about the park, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/mima/index.htm

Position Overview: The Cultural Resources Member will support operations at Wind Cave National Park (WICA) by researching and documenting bison significance to tribes and beginning development of bison Co-Stewardship opportunities. Responsibilities will include:

• Developing web pages that tell the story of the Native American history on the Black Hills landscape and help the park communicate the cultural significance of the land and its resources to the public. This will include information on how they lived on the land and the history of broken treaties that followed European contact. They will work with a Native American training specialist familiar with WICA's story and who possesses design experience.
• Researching and developing bison cultural significance alongside Regional staff and NPS scientists. A document will be produced that will lay the foundation for bison co-stewardship opportunities. This document will contain sections on bison significance to tribes, current tribal bison management programs, tribal bison program contacts list, draft survey questionnaire for tribal bison programs, and recommendation section for next steps.
• Supporting resource management operations by assisting other staff on research projects, field operations, and data collection and management

The ACE Member will take part in a 1-week training session at the beginning of their term that is centered on the natural and cultural history of the park, park operations, and safety.

Schedule: Full-time position Monday to Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $680/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here.

Housing: Park housing is provided at no cost for the duration of their term. The ACE member will have their own room, but share a kitchen, bathroom, and other living areas. Park housing is a 10-minute walk to the visitor center.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific park training may include ATV/UTV operation and others as needed.

Qualifications

Required:

• Knowledge of Native American cultures in the Black Hills
• Attention to detail and time management skills
• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants will hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in cultural resource management, anthropology, archeology, history, museum studies, historic preservation or other related field
• Experience conducting research

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over and work in rough terrain.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10 lbs., ability to move up to 20 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact CRDIP Member Coordinator, Samira Rosario Martinez, at rosario-martinez@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for CRDIP Cultural Resources Member Wind Cave National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC