CRDIP Historian- Independence National Historical Park

Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) is seeking a Historian interested in dedicating 11 weeks to support Independence National Historical Park in researching and writing a report on enslaved African Americans in Philadelphia who achieved or attempted self-liberation from enslavement in the Revolutionary period.

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

Start Date: May 23, 2022

End Date: August 5, 2022

The Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program (CRDIP) is a professional development internship that introduces students, from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the National Parks, to career opportunities within Cultural Resource Management in the NPS. Applicants must be 18-30 (up to 35 for Veterans) and either A) in pursuit of a higher education degree or B) still be within two years of graduation from a degree program. CRDIP participants will have the opportunity to attend several professional development webinars as well as write blogs or create videos about their projects throughout the summer.

Location: Independence National Historical Park- Philadelphia, PA

Established in 1948, Independence National Historical Park, preserves and interprets many of the most important resources associated with the American Revolution and the founding and growth of the United States of America. The centerpiece of the park is Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution were debated and adopted in the 18th century.

For more information, please visit https://www.nps.gov/inde/index.htm

Living Allowance: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $480/week to offset the costs of housing, food, and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing will be provided at no cost by the park.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 300-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($1,342.86) upon successful completion of service hours.

Position Description: ​​The ACE member will study Philadelphia as a community and a workplace for free and enslaved Black residents and explore efforts of the enslaved to secure their freedom during the Revolutionary Era.

Part One of the project is to research and produce a report on enslaved African Americans in Philadelphia and vicinity who, through various means, achieved or attempted self-liberation from enslavement in the Revolutionary period. Particular attention will be directed to the names and stories of individuals who lived, worked, or were otherwise associated with locations within the boundaries of Independence National Historical Park. To complete this task, the ACE member will review and supplement an existing bibliography of the historical literature on the topic, review the relevant literature, and produce a summary of the material. Using primary sources identified in the secondary literature review, and other appropriate sources and repositories, they will seek to identify and document the names and individual stories of freedom seekers who have not been previously documented or for whom additional information was located. A final report will be produced detailing the research methodology and the results of the study. The resulting report and research products will supplement existing information on this topic and provide support for the Regional Directorate's proposed study entitled, Freedom Seeking in the Revolutionary Era, scheduled for 2023.

Part Two of the project is to study a small group of objects in the park's museum collection and develop interpretive aspects for these objects that explain how these objects reflect the experience of Philadelphia's Black community at work in Revolutionary Philadelphia.

Qualifications:

Required

• Competitive applicants will hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in public history or a related discipline
• Interest in the National Park Service, history, and material culture
• Ability and experience researching and writing research papers with citations
• 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
• US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks
• 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 by the time they start their term or request a medical or religious exemption

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. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Program Manager, Jen Wells at jwells@usaconservation.org.

This position will close on Monday, March 7, 2022

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 Historian Independence National Historical Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC