BCC- Part Time Instructor, Automation & Engineering Technology (industrial maintenance)
TITLE: Cultural Collections Intern
REPORTS TO: Site Supervisor - Baird Todd, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Park Curator
LOCATIONS: Gatlinburg, TN
STATUS: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt
STIPEND: $150/week – paid out biweekly
HEALTH BENEFITS: Not Health Benefit Eligible
OTHER BENEFITS: Housing in the park, uniform shirts, protective equipment, trainings. Other development opportunities as available.
START DATE: June 1, 2020 (12 week position)
END DATE: August 21, 2020
Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC), empowers young people to attain compassion, responsibility and grit through community service, hard work and environmental stewardship. SECC is a local, non-profit, AmeriCorps affiliated organization based out of Chattanooga, TN. SECC selects young adults to complete conservation work projects on public, private and municipal lands throughout the Southeast. SECC fosters the personal development of corpsmembers through environmental stewardship projects and experiential learning. Through community partnerships, SECC provides hands-on job training opportunities to young adults while simultaneously meeting natural resource needs throughout the Southeast. SECC positions focus on place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility and career development. SECC also provides an opportunity for interns to learn about the local environment, environmental issues and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers.
OVERVIEW OF CULTURAL COLLECTIONS INTERNSHIP:
Great Smoky Mountains NP (Park) was established in 1934 and encompasses 800 square miles of land in North Carolina and Tennessee. It is known for its incredible diversity of plant and animal life but also for the cultural history of this land. Archeological evidence supports human use and occupation of this area dating back 9,000 years. Documented historical use includes Cherokee and European occupants. This history of this land is most visible to the general public through the more than 80 pre park structures and the CCC era built roads, trails, bridges and buildings.
The intern will support the Cultural Resource Branch Museum Staff and benefit current and future park visitors by helping complete the unpacking of park collections at the Collections Preservation Center, cataloging new collections and maintaining preservation standards for collections. These efforts ensure collection preservation and make the collection available for future researchers and public exhibits. Completing collections unpacking will assist the park curator and Park Management in implementing a multipark collections facility at Great Smoky Mountains NP, which in turn will assist museum collections from 5 units of the National Park Service in East Tennessee.
Cultural Resource Branch (under the Division of Resource Management and Science, Great Smoky Mountains NP) - The NPS and by extension Park’s mission is to ensure the continued preservation of the diverse cultural resources found within the Park so that current and future generations may continue to enjoy and appreciate these resources.
The Cultural Resource Branch supports that mission through research, documentation, and inventory work; planning and compliance (Sections 110 and 106); and stewardship through reoccurring condition assessments and maintenance efforts.
The Museum staff serves as the official custodian for cultural and natural resources collected and preserved as artifacts and specimens.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
The overall objective is to ensure Park cultural resources are well documented and remain in good condition. This project will improve the condition of at least 1000 cultural items moved into storage meeting NPS museum standards, improve the overall storage environment of cultural collections (over 1 million items impacted) and reduce a backlog in collection cataloging and/or updates to artifact records (at least 1000 records updated and 100 objects cataloged).
The selected individuals will work closely with the Park’s Curator and assist the Cultural Resources program with the accessioning, archiving, cataloging, and curation of historic and archaeological objects. In addition, the individual shall work with curatorial staff to support exhibits and aid in the organization and maintenance of the collection storage areas.
Potential Provided Trainings for this positions (as per project needs and availability): proper lifting techniques including team lifting, use of ladder, how to handle various types of objects, what type of condition issues to look for, cavity packing and mount construction, training on museum standards, basic integrated pest management, use of data tracking software, NPS museum record software, types of records kept and why, basic cataloging procedures for cultural artifacts.
COMPENSATION: Interns are paid an living stipend of $150 per week (direct deposited biweekly) before taxes, via direct deposit. Dorm housing within the park is also provided to interns. Upon successful completion of their term, interns will receive a Segal AmeriCorps education award for tuition at Title IV accredited learning institutions, AmeriCorps approved non-traditional continued education or paying off student loans.
PARTICIPATION AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR: Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason. Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable. Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff. Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times. SAFETY AND JUDGMENT: Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds. Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard. Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others. Respond appropriately to stress or crises. If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques
OUTDOOR SKILLS AND FITNESS (WHERE APPROPRIATE): Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries. Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.
SUBSTANCE FREE: In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Frequently required to hike over rough terrain, walk, sit, talk and listen. Required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. Often lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to focus. Frequently required to drive an SECC vehicle, and must be able to speak, understand, write and read English. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to preform essential functions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Academic background in one of the following cultural resource related fields: museums, history, archaeology or archives. Training or experience in collections management or museum studies is preferred. Experience in artifact cataloging and collections handling is highly desired. Familiarity with Excel and experience with electronic data entry is preferred. Experience conducting primary and secondary source research would be a plus.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO ALL ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY, AGE, SEX, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR RELIGION.
TO APPLY: Follow the SECC link and complete the application. INCLUDE: 3 references, resume and copy of your transcripts.
INCLUDE: 3 REFERENCES, RESUME AND COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPTS (UNOFFICIAL OKAY).
You can put the references in a word doc and up load it alongside your resume. A cover letter is encouraged but not required.
If you have questions about the position contact:
Baird Todd
865-448-2245
Baird_Todd@nps.gov
If you have questions about the application process contact:
Chattanooga, TN office
Matt Cottam, Individual Placements Coordinator
(423) 876-9378
mcottam@conservationlegacy.org
Required Skills Required Experience
REQUIRED EDUCATION
Related Degree, Credential, and/or Occupational Experience in: Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical), Industrial maintenance technician, Process manufacturing technician.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
PREFERRED EDUCATION