Title: Interpretation Individual Placements

Location C&O Canal National Historical Park (Option to be placed in Great Falls, MD; Williamsport, MD; or Cumberland, MD)

Positions Available: 5 Internships

Dates: May - November 2023 (26 weeks)

Status: This is a full-time, temporary 900 hour AmeriCorps National Service position.

Contact: Questions? Email ACCrecruiting@conservationlegacy.org

Appalachian Conservation Corps:

Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) works to connect young people to critical conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania. As a corps program, ACC partners with public land managers to identify, plan, and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality, and economic development. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations. Our programs focus on service, place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. ACC also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment and issues affecting it and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.

Position Summary:

Share the stories of C&O Canal!

Appalachian Conservation Corps and the C&O Canal National Historical Park are seeking 5 Interpretation Interns to serve for 6 months at the park. Through interpretation and visitor services, the interns will assist with fulfilling the preservation mission of the National Park Service and the C&O Canal National Historical Park by providing relevant and provocative audience-centered experiences through a wide variety of interpretive and educational programming services.

The C&O Canal National Historical Park receives approximately 5 million visitors a year and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive informal learning environment through programs engaging diverse audiences and highlighting diverse topics. To support this, the C&O Canal will recruit three interns to engage visitors across the park with 21st century interpretive methods including living history programming, dialogic programs, object-based programming, and other experiential learning offerings. Interns may work out of Great Falls, Williamsport, or Cumberland (Maryland). Utilizing the park’s primary interpretive themes, the interns will develop new multigenerational 21st century interpretive programs that incorporate the replica canal boats, historic buildings such as the Great Falls Tavern and Cushwa Warehouse, and adjacent scenic landmarks. Programs will feature a creative range of topics - from arts, to sciences, and the humanities – and will provide portfolio-building opportunities for interns to learn about audience engagement, program development and assessment, and other interpretive best-practices in an environment that values exploration and experimentation.

The intern will promote a closer relationship between the park and the large visitor community through a wide variety of interpretive engagement methods. This includes staffing both indoor and outdoor contact stations, informal roving in areas of the park with high potential for visitor contact, and through popular formal programming. The intern’s job responsibilities will increase visitor understanding of the organization’s mission, which in turn ensures environmental protection of the park’s unique cultural and natural resources.

Main intern responsibilities include:

• Conduct informational/educational-related visitor contacts and site inspections through a variety of methods.
• Research, develop and present formal interpretive presentations that have a beneficial effect on visitor understanding and appreciation of the park.
• Assist visitor services and interpretive staff with hands-on operation of the replica canal boat and mules used to pull the boat (please note that mules are only used in Great Falls, MD – other replica canal boats are engine-powered).

This opportunity is meant to provide knowledge and experience that allow for future success in the field. The interns will gain skills in 21st Century Interpretation, include ACE techniques; customer service; as well as training in safety (CPR/First Aid), diversity, and career-building within the Federal government.

Housing is NOT provided for this position.

Benefits:

• $525/week living stipend, paid bi-weekly
• $3,247.50 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 900 hour service term (award amount varies based on length of commitment and can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)
• $450 professional development funds
• Non-competitive eligibility when applying to federal jobs through the Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority
• Possible student loan forbearance
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist
• Uniform shirts and other necessary safety equipment is provided
• Additional subject-specific trainings may be offered
• Depending upon the academic institution and program, this position may fulfill internship requirements
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths

General Qualifications:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for Veterans up to age 35)
• Have US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Working towards or earned a undergrad or graduate degree in History, Biology, Communications, Drama, or similar
• Must have local housing
• Pass background checks: all offers of positions are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal and/or State criminal background check
• Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are eligible if they have not already completed 2 full years of AmeriCorps service, or 4 AmeriCorps service terms, whichever comes first – please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility)
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Must be able to swim

Preferred Qualifications:

• Public speaking experience
  • Basic first aid/CPR/AED certification
  • Enjoys working as a member of the team
  • Outgoing and enjoys engaging people in an active manner
  • Excellent problem-solving skills

Required Skills

Required Experience

• Understand and apply adult learning theories
• Understanding of transitioning Service member populations
• Experience using Microsoft Office suite of tools
• Strong customer management and support skills
• Experience delivering interactive workshops and training to live audiences

Travel may be involved