TITLE: CULTURAL INTERPRETATION INTERNSHIP (1 POSITION)   

START/END DATE: June 14, 2021 – December 10, 2021 (anticipated)

STIPEND: $400/week 

TERM: 26 weeks 

REPORTS TO: Matthew Cahill (Interpretive Program Manager)

LOCATION: NPS Southeast Arizona Group Parks (12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd., Willcox, AZ, 85643)

STATUS: 900-hour AmeriCorps Service Term.

BENEFITS: AmeriCorps Education Award of $3097.50 upon successful completion of the term. Housing is available on site for this position if needed.

ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS (AZCC):  

Arizona Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. AZCC is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff and Tucson.  

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE:  

The Interpretation and Education Division of the National Park Service strives to tell the untold stories of NPS sites through 21st Century Interpretive Techniques such as facilitated dialogue and engagement with the lived experience of our visitors and stakeholders.  The Southeast Arizona Group encompasses Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Monument, and Fort Bowie National Historic Site.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Southeast Arizona Group (SEAZ) of the National Park Service is providing an opportunity for one intern to gain hands-on experience supporting interpretive programs and resource projects at parks across Southeast Arizona in order to prepare for future opportunities for success with the NPS or other public lands agencies. 

The intern will meet the NPS Mission by providing visitors and nearby communities with relevant, lived cultural perspectives now and in the future through interpretive programs and media that will serve future generations of park visitors.  This work experience will foster awareness in the intern of diverse career opportunities within the National Park Service and beyond. The intern will contribute to the conservation of natural and cultural resources of the SEAZ sites and enhancing public enjoyment and understanding.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS MAY INCLUDE: 

• Staff the information desk 2-3 days a week for up to four hours at a time.
• Develop interpretive talks and guided walks, sharing the cultural resources of the park. 
• Present curriculum-based education programs for school groups and assist with preparing and presenting special events to engage the public.
• Learn the stories and reflect on the quality of the stories told at the sites.
• Develop content for permanent interpretive exhibits at Chiricahua National Monument.
• Join other interns in cross-divisional work including science and trail work.

Required Skills

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and should possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.  
• Some undergraduate coursework (prefer third year undergraduate or equivalent) in outdoor recreation, education, communications, or related fields.
• Ability to communicate clearly and interact with the public, user groups, and agency staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Preference given to Native American applicants.
• Classroom teaching or public speaking experience.
• Cultural or historic knowledge of Chiricahua and Huachuca Mountains regions (Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, and Coronado National Memorial).
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong attention to organization and detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a range of government and partner organizations.
• Familiarity with ‘Leave no Trace’, ‘Tread Lightly’ and similar principles and a strong ability to apply education about such principles to encourage voluntary visitor compliance with rules and regulations.
• Previous Conservation Corps or AmeriCorps experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to occasionally hike on rocky trails for several hours in hot, cold, windy or wet weather.
• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc... May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 PARTICIPATION AND EXPECTED BEHAVIOR:  

• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason. 
• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. 
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program. 
• Appropriately represent AmeriCorps, Arizona Conservation Corps, and the National Park Service at all times, including properly wearing the internship uniform.

 SAFETY AND JUDGEMENT:  

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of dangers others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury, or need of assistance. 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. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises that may arise. 
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

SUBSTANCE FREE: 

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

TO APPLY:  Please submit an updated resume and cover letter along with the online application at www.azcorps.org/individual-placement-openings. If you have questions, contact AZCC Individual Placement Program Support Coordinator, Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org.

For more information on the three NPS Southeast Arizona Sites, please visit www.nps.gov/CHIR, www.nps.gov/FOBO, and www.nps.gov/CORO.

For more information about Arizona Conservation Corps, please visit www.azcorps.org. Arizona Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy. 

Required Experience

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and should possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.  
• Some undergraduate coursework (prefer third year undergraduate or equivalent) in outdoor recreation, education, communications, or related fields.
• Ability to communicate clearly and interact with the public, user groups, and agency staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Preference given to Native American applicants.
• Classroom teaching or public speaking experience.
• Cultural or historic knowledge of Chiricahua and Huachuca Mountains regions (Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, and Coronado National Memorial).
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong attention to organization and detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a range of government and partner organizations.
• Familiarity with ‘Leave no Trace’, ‘Tread Lightly’ and similar principles and a strong ability to apply education about such principles to encourage voluntary visitor compliance with rules and regulations.
• Previous Conservation Corps or AmeriCorps experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to occasionally hike on rocky trails for several hours in hot, cold, windy or wet weather.
• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc... May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 PARTICIPATION AND EXPECTED BEHAVIOR:  

• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason. 
• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. 
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program. 
• Appropriately represent AmeriCorps, Arizona Conservation Corps, and the National Park Service at all times, including properly wearing the internship uniform.

 SAFETY AND JUDGEMENT:  

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of dangers others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury, or need of assistance. 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. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises that may arise. 
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

SUBSTANCE FREE: 

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

TO APPLY:  Please submit an updated resume and cover letter along with the online application at www.azcorps.org/individual-placement-openings. If you have questions, contact AZCC Individual Placement Program Support Coordinator, Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org.

For more information on the three NPS Southeast Arizona Sites, please visit www.nps.gov/CHIR, www.nps.gov/FOBO, and www.nps.gov/CORO.

For more information about Arizona Conservation Corps, please visit www.azcorps.org. Arizona Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy.