CRDIP Cultural Resources and Interpretation Member - Horseshoe Bend National Military 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 & Interpretation Member to support Horseshoe Bend National Military Park's museum and collections, cultural resource projects, and visitor experience.

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

Start Date: Late May / Early June 2023

Estimated End Date: 12 weeks after start date

*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: Horseshoe Bend National Military Park- Daviston, AL

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park (HOBE) tells a significant story. It's a story of frontier life, of parallel wars and westward expansion, of indigenous resistance to Euro-American encroachment upon native lands and culture, and resilience and adaptation in the face of all these changes. It is also the story of Alabama statehood, of emerging US and Creek leaders, and US military during the expansion of the US. The park was created in 1959 to commemorate the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814, where US forces, commanded by Andrew Jackson, defeated the Red Stick faction of the indigenous Muscogee Creek. For decades the park's story showed through the lens of the victorious Americans, with minimal additional viewpoints. In recent years, HOBE has renovated the museum, expanding park interpretation to include the voice and experience of the Muscogee Creek people. For more information about the park, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/hobe/index.htm

Having a personal vehicle is not required, but highly recommended to access groceries and other needs on days off.

Position Overview: The Cultural Resources & Interpretation position will be interdisciplinary and depending on the candidate's area of study and career goals, the areas of focus will include a combination of some of the following:

1. Museum and collections

• Photograph collection to replenish lost photos in museum database
• Assist Curator with annual inventory and annual reporting requirements
• Assist Curator with condition assessments
• Assist with curating and cataloging park's cultural and ethnographic resources

1. Oral History- Assist with preparing a strategy to conduct local oral histories, focusing on those with ties to the Creek War Era and ties to park land from pre-war through the 1950s
2. Interpretation

• Design a Junior Ranger activity centered on a specific cultural resource in the park
• Assist Education staff with creating curriculum-based activities to educate about wildland and prescribed fire at HOBE, its ties to climate change, indigenous use, and habitat restoration to encourage native plant and animal species
• Create and conduct a hike along the nature trail highlighting one or more natural features (birds, plants, effects of fire exclusion, longleaf pine ecosystems) and traditional indigenous uses
• Research and post one article to HOBE's Facebook page highlighting a natural or cultural resource or issue identified in the Resource Stewardship Summary
• Record a series of short videos highlighting a cultural/natural resource at HOBE to be posted on social media
• Mvskoke language "Word of the Week" post on Facebook

1. Natural Resources

• Assist natural resource staff by observing backcountry archeological sites in burn units, recommending actions to protect the sites from prescribed fire activities
• Assist in removing invasive plants from the cultural landscape

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

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 $580/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $1,718.25 upon successful completion of a complete service term and service hours.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

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.

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 training may include shadowing different divisions, virtual training opportunities, and field trips to nearby parks.

Qualifications

Required:

• 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 three-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
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here

Preferred:

• Possess or pursuing a degree, have experience, and/or demonstrated interest in public history, cultural resource management, Native American Studies, or a related discipline

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 ACE EPIC NPS Recruitment Specialist, Emanuel Cruz, at ecruz@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 and Interpretation Member Horseshoe Bend National Military Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC