Collections Management Members - Shenandoah National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with The National Park Service, is seeking TWO Collections Management Members at Shenandoah National Park. The ACE Members 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).

For more information about ACE, please visit our usaconservation website.

Start Date: August 26, 2024

Estimated End Date: January 24, 2025

*A 20-week minimum commitment is required*

This is a 20 week appointment running 22 weeks with 2 unpaid weeks for time off.

Location Details/Description: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park contains nearly 197,000 forested acres along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia. The Park's backcountry of steep rugged terrain contains over 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.

For more information regarding Shenandoah National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: This position will provide a broad exposure to museum collections encompassing cultural and natural collection material. The members 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

The staff at Shenandoah National Park will coordinate with the Members 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.

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.

Scheduling: ~ 8 hour days Monday through Friday should be anticipated. Generally field days (Thursdays normally) will run longer. Days during the breakdown of the two historic house museums (end of October beginning of November) will also run longer.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $500/week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Reimbursable Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $400 to be used for eligible relocation expenses and for commuting to the duty station. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: The 20-week position may be eligible for a 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $2,626.27 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 675 hours.

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

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. 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 at our usaconservation website.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in housing provided by the park at no cost for the duration of the term.

Housing consists of several homes with double occupancy bedrooms. Housing will most likely be in Luray, VA or within 20 miles. If housing is located further than 10 miles from Luray, VA, a government vehicle is intended to be provided for transportation to and from the work site. If one is not available, there will be a travel allowance provided. 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. A personal vehicle is required for transportation related to personal needs (e.g., food shopping). The site is remote and there is no reliable public transportation. Members will have use of a government vehicle for work related travel.

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.

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 will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• ACE Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for the position may hold 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.
• Knowledge of, or willing to research and learn about the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachians
• Excellent organization skills in terms of cataloging, keeping inventory, and scanning/editing images
• Excellent public speaking skills with diverse audiences
• Museum collections experience
• Environmental monitoring experience such as temperature/humidity readings, light readings, and integrated pest management
• Deep interest in cultural/historic preservation, museum preservation, and respect for nature

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 bend, stoop, kneel, climb stairs, crawl and/or crouch. May entail some hiking over rough terrain (level to extremely steep and rocky).
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to lift artifact boxes, furniture, and equipment (50 lbs).
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work will be in variable temperatures (hot, cool, and humid).
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting/sting insects, ticks, and potentially dangerous wildlife (bears/other). Members may see black bears, serve in venomous snake habitat, be exposed to bugs, ticks, and poison ivy, and get bruises/scratches. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on the usaconservation website. Early consideration will be given as applications 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 Eastern Member Manager, Emily Oostveen.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

Current Openings for Collections Management Members Shenandoah National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC