Visitor Services/Curatorial Assistant - Shenandoah National Park

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Shenandoah National Park, is seeking ONE Visitor Services/Curatorial Assistant to assist with museum preservation and documentation and perform research supporting interpretation for Rapidan Camp. The ACE Member will maximize preservation of museum objects and add to the interpretive material for a National Historic Landmark and historic house museum within the Blue Ridge Mountains of Shenandoah National Park.

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

Start Date: June 6, 2022

End Date: August 30, 2022

*An 8-week minimum commitment is required*

Location: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park contains 196,000 forested acres along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia. The Park's backcountry of steep rugged terrain contains 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.

Nearly two million people visit the Park each year to enjoy views from the Skyline Drive, hike trails, rock climb, enjoy nature study, camp, or stay overnight in one of the Park's rustic lodges or backcountry cabins. The Park supports approximately 1400 vascular plant species, numerous state-rare plant species, and a variety of forest community types. The mountain streams are inhabited by 39 species of fishes, over 230 species of aquatic invertebrates and provide some of the best protected strongholds for native eastern brook trout south of Maine.

For more information regarding Shenandoah National Park, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm.

For information about Rapidan Camp https://www.nps.gov/shen/learn/historyculture/rapidancamp.htm

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $200/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. They will also receive a $600 travel allowance to aid in the costs of relocation and commuting to the duty station.

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

Cell phone reception may be spotty in the park. A personal vehicle is required.

The member must be comfortable living and working independently in a remote area with a high density of snakes.

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

Scheduling: Off days for the member will be Saturday and Sunday with 8-hour work days Monday through Friday.

Position Description:

Museum Preservation Duties: Routine cleaning of the structure and preservation cleaning of the historic house museum artifacts at the Brown House, Rapidan Camp and Massanutten Lodge, Skyland. Preservation cleaning will be done under the guidance of the museum specialist using appropriate gloves, handling techniques, and other museum quality materials. Using appropriate museum materials, they may put out quilts and assist in training site volunteers with how to handle putting quilts out daily for visitors and packing them away at night. As the individual becomes familiar, they may do this independently or with other interns. Assist with revision of packing plan used for seasonal packing of museum objects for winter storage or setting up in the spring.

Environmental Monitoring Duties: Assist with seasonal visible and ultraviolet light readings used to develop a more protected environment for museum objects. Perform Integrated pest management of pests inside structures and work on exclusion measures as appropriate. Manage acquisition of temperature and humidity data and some analysis of site data.

Documentation: Will perform museum documentation labeling and describing museum objects into the museum software. Other museum responsibilities such as labeling museum objects and record photography of items.

Use/Access of Museum Objects: Will scan or put together images and information from the collection primarily related to Rapidan Camp beneficial to the interpretation of Rapidan Camp. This will include research on Shangri La (presidential retreat following the use of Rapidan Camp), Secret Service at the site, and other information. The goal being to put images in a media management program making collection information accessible to other staff, synthesizing information into a usable format for interpreters. May entail consulting with interpretive staff members on what documents or information they are missing or where a scanned document or image would improve their programs.

May assist with interpretation at Rapidan Camp based on their interest and park needs. Assist with landscape and other site related needs learning about management of a National Historic Landmark composed of both historic structures and landscape.

Physical Demands: Ability to lift furniture, and equipment (50 lbs.); use weed trimming and leaf blowing equipment for landscape maintenance; ability to bend, stoop and crawl; work in variable temperatures both outside and inside (hot, cool, and humid). May entail some hiking over rough terrain (level to extremely steep and rocky); willingness to be exposed to hazards of the field environment (inclement weather, ticks, stinging insects, bears). The Member may see black bears, serve in venomous snake habitat, be exposed to bugs, ticks, and poison ivy, and get bruises/scratches.

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.

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

Qualifications:

Required:

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with 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 required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be comfortable living independently in a remote area with a high density of snakes.
• A personal vehicle is required.
• 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.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as environmental science, natural resource management, park management, cultural/historic preservation, education, or a related discipline.
• Excellent public speaking skills with diverse audiences
• Grounds maintenance experience
• Integrated pest management experience
• Excellent communication and organization skills in respect to interpretation and museum preservation
• Knowledge of, or willing to research and learn about the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachians

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, Victoria Yee at vyee@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 Visitor Services/Curatorial Assistant Shenandoah National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC