Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Homestead National Historical Park is seeking ONE Cultural Resources Member to contribute to Cultural Resource and Museum projects alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: June 2024 (date is flexible depending on candidate)

Estimated End Date: 12 weeks after start

*a 12-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Homestead National Historical Park is dedicated to remembering the many legacies of the Homestead Act of 1862, which allowed any qualified person to claim up to 160 acres (0.65 km2) of federally owned land in exchange for five years of residence and the cultivation and improvement of the property. The park is five miles (8 km) west of Beatrice, Nebraska on a site that includes some of the first acres successfully claimed under the Homestead Act. It features two visitor centers, two historic structures and 3-miles of woodland and prairie trails.

For more information about Homestead National Historic Park please visit https://www.nps.gov/home/index.htm

Position Overview: This internship will focus on cataloging the park's backlog of museum collections. The intern will work alongside the park cultural resource staff to learn the steps necessary to process and house the variety of items that make up the park's museum collections. Homestead National Historical Park has over 17,000 three-dimensional objects and 900,000 archival documents in its museum collection. The intern will describe and photograph the objects, record information in our database, research associated people and places, and assess condition of the materials. Additional duties will include assisting with the annual museum inventory, environmental monitoring, housekeeping, and visitor services.

Interns will focus on working with the park's oral history archive allowing the public to view and search these histories. Specific work includes creating web pages highlighting the interviews, uploading audio files and transcripts to NPGallery, working with interviewees or their descendants for legal releases, updating and creating findings aids, and making engaging website and social media content.

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: Typical schedule will be Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, with potential changes for special events or other operational needs.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $1,824.07 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 450 hours.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.

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: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $250 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

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 the theory and methods used to catalog museum objects, an introduction to computer software used for managing a National Park Service museum collection database, as well as mentoring with the park Historian and Museum Technician as part of the Cultural Resource team.

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 [three-part criminal history check / two-part criminal history check _ Keep three part for A*C, or two part for non-A*C].
• 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 [or as defined by AmeriCorps - remove if non-A*C].
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position will have coursework or experience in history, archives, or museum studies.
• Knowledge of the historical research process, an attention to detail, and the ability to communicate ideas effectively.
• Basic computer skills including a familiarity with Microsoft Word.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, using hands to handle or feel, reaching, and carrying. talking and hearing]. Manual dexterity required for handling fragile objects. Required to stoop, kneel, climb step ladders, push carts, and crouch to retrieve objects.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 15 lbs., ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS .Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

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/. 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 EPIC NPS Eastern Program Manager, Molly Nash at mmnash@usaconservation.org.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.