Museum Collections Intern with California State Parks

Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park is seeking ONE Cultural Resources Member to contribute to Cultural Resource and Museum projects alongside California State Park staff.

Start Date: Preferred September or October 2024 (date flexible for the right candidate)

End Date: 6 months after start date

Location: Lancaster, CA - Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park.

Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park has been a public museum since 1932, but it has also been a homestead, a theater, a dude ranch, a Hollywood set, a community resource, and an international attraction. The museum houses over 8,000 objects representing 120 Native American cultures, mostly from California, the Southwest, and the Great Basin but also from the Plains, Alaska, Central America, and South America. The museum is situated on 147 acres of desert parkland on the south side of Piute Butte. The museum building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, incorporates the natural boulders of the butte into the walls and floor of the structure.

For more information about Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park please visit the museum website www.avim.parks.ca.gov.

Living Allowance: The member should anticipate serving 40 hrs/wk and will receive a living allowance of $800/wk for food and incidentals, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and is not provided by ACE or California State Parks

Position Description:

Under direction from the Museum Curator III, the ACE Museum Collections Intern will assist Antelope Valley Indian Museum (AVIM) staff to enter a backlog of cataloged objects into the collections database (The Museum System - TMS) at AVIM, Lake Los Angeles, California. Entering these objects into TMS will facilitate preparing inventory reports for NAGPRA compliance. The backlog consists of approximately 1600 objects individually cataloged on paper that need to be verified and entered into TMS. Training in use of The Museum System (TMS) database will be provided.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals.

Schedule: Typical schedule will be Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, with potential changes for other operational needs.

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 the theory and methods used to catalog museum objects, use of The Museum System (TMS) database, as well as mentoring with the Museum Curator III as part of the Cultural Resource team.

Qualifications

Required:

• 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.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with reasonable accommodation.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position will have coursework or experience in Native American studies, archaeology, history, archives, or museum studies.
• Attention to detail, and the ability to communicate ideas effectively.
• Basic computer skills including a familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, using hands to handle or feel, reaching, and carrying. talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for handling fragile objects. Required to stoop, kneel, climb step ladders, pull carts, and crouch to retrieve objects.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 15 lbs., ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental:Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. Outdoor conditions include extreme temperatures, wind, and blowing sand.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment, light traffic, occasional aircraft.
• 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, rodents and rodent waste, and blowing sand. 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 California State Parks or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by California State Parks. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) typically provided by California State Parks will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to California State Parks and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website here: https://usaconservationepic.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 Museum Curator III Peggy Ronning, Peggy.Ronning@parks.ca.gov or Special Projects Manager Josh Haussler, jhaussler@usaconservation.org.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet about 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.

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