Job Type: Paid Internship
Salary Details: $700/week
Deadline: Aug 11, 2023
Start Date: ASAP 
Estimated End Date: This is anticipated to be a 20 week position*
Location Details/Description: Whitman Mission National Historic Site is located 6 miles west of Walla Walla, Washington (population 34,000) in the Walla Walla Valley. Whitman Mission features several trails, a monument to the Whitman family, and a museum displaying Cayuse art and artifacts. There is cell phone reception throughout the area.

Position Overview
Whitman Mission National Historic Site is seeking to place two members to serve as ACE Interpretive Members alongside Interpretive Rangers at the park. The ACE member will be expected to research the history of Whitman Mission National Historic Site (WHMI) in order to develop and present formal interpretive programs to the public, regularly hike park trails, engage the public through programming (educational and interpretive) and informal contacts, and sell merchandise. The selected member will receive two weeks of orientation where they will learn about the NPS mission and park purpose, the park and park partners, and the surrounding area. The member will receive CPR and First Aid certification and the opportunity to work with other park staff and divisions. The member will be supervised by the Supervisory Park Ranger to provide direction and assistance to the member and meet with them on a regular basis, at least twice weekly to discuss upcoming projects and responsibilities. The Park will provide office space, computer, telephone, and other office tools for the performance of their standard duties. Opportunities are available for the member to assist in a variety of natural and cultural resource management and maintenance projects.

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: The ACE member will work ~ 5, 8-hours days per week, with two consecutive days off. Each working day will begin at 8am pacific time, and end and 4:30pm pacific time, with a 30-minute break for lunch. Position will work weekends and holidays, as needed.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700 a week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

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 https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or by the National Park Service.

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 defensive driving, Foundations of Interpretation, on-the-ground interpretation and education training (in concepts such as tangibles, intangibles, universals, and audience centered experiences), interpretive writing, cultural sensitivity, etc.

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 two-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.
  • 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 https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

  • Comfortable speaking in front of audiences.
  • Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an associates or bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as interpretation, education, history, conservation, parks and recreation management.
  • Has worked with underrepresented groups/perspectives in the past.
  • Ability and willingness to work with school-aged visitors, and visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
  • Ability and willingness to talk about complex and controversial topics
  • Interest in Native American history and the National Park Service
HOW 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/967942.html 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 Member Coordinator, Michael Knapp at mknapp@usaconservation.org.