Internship - ACE EPIC NPS NC: Carl Sandburg Home - Visitor Services (20 weeks)
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (CARL) in western North Carolina is seeking 2 Visitor Service Interns for 20-week positions with ACE and the National Park Service contributing to education, interpretation, and visitor services. The interns will work directly with the park staff to provide park visitors with information about CARL resources and its stories.
These opportunities are intended for enthusiastic individuals with a background in history, education, visitor engagement, and customer services who possess an interest in gaining experience in the field of resource management, park operations, education, or related fields.
Start Date: June 3, 2019 (some flexibility for the right candidate)
End Date: October 21, 2019
* A minimum 20-week commitment is required *
Location: Flat Rock, NC
Project Partner Website: To Learn more about CARL, please visit the NPS website at: http://www.nps.gov/carl/index.htm. For more information regarding the ACE Internship Program (EPIC), please visit the websitewww.usaconservation.org.
Compensation: ACE Intern is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $480/week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the intern and not provided by ACE or NPS.
Position Description:
ACE Interns will directly assist the National Park Service engage the public in the history and significance of CARL to visitors. Interns share information and meanings behind natural cultural resources, as well provide other visitor services such as staffing the visitor center, collecting tour fees, issuing park passes, and driving the visitor shuttle. These internships introduce National Park Service careers to future generations who will become tomorrow's stewards of America's national treasures.
Description of Duties- The typical internship will involve:
1) Staffing the visitor center desks and collecting fees (50%)
2) Creating and presenting formal interpretive programs independently (25%)
3) Driving the visitor shuttle (20%)
4) Assisting in education programs (5%)
Responsibilities include:
- NPS fee collection careers,
- Informal visitor contacts,
- Informal interpretative and education demonstrations,
- Facilitating formal interpretative talks and tours,
- Organizing and carrying out special events in national parks.
This position will introduce interns to as many new work experiences as possible, including fees, interpretation, special events, and youth education programming.
Scheduling: 40 hours/week, generally from 8:30am to 5:30 pm daily. Interns will be expected to work weekends and holidays that fall within the scheduled period.
Educational and Recreational Opportunities: The intern is encouraged to explore the surrounding public lands to become a better source of area information.
Opportunities may be possible for working with other park divisions, including resource management, in order to learn more about potential careers.
Personal Vehicle: Grocery stores, banks, pharmacies, libraries, and other infrastructure are spread out by 5 miles or more. Interns must have a driver's license and a personal vehicle for personal commuting purposes.
Qualifications: Applicants for the position will have a minimum of 1 year of college experience in a degree seeking program. Preferred coursework in History, Public Speaking and English. The intern will be resourceful, adaptable, and able to work comfortably alone or in a group.
Required:
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Must be 18-35 years of age (Interns must be 21-35 to apply for any ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties.)
- A valid driver's license and a clean driving record are required (documentation to be provided upon request)
- Ability to work alone and in a group
- Proficient in English
- Ability to undergo a federal criminal background check is required
Preferred:
- Willingness to learn and/or previous experience in customer service
- Ability and willingness to engage the public answering questions and offering information
- Deep interest in the National Park Service and a career in public lands/resources
ACE Interns must be willing to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. Drug users should not consider applying, as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, thoughtful cover letter, and contact for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position.
NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position can close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact the ACE EPIC NPS Recruitment Specialist, Dave Hecker at dhecker@usaconservation.org or 801.386.1629.