Start/End Dates: May 20th, 2024 – October 20th, 2024 (20 weeks)

Compensation: $640 per week on-site housing provided 

Application Due: February 5, 2024

The Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) seeks to engage Latino undergraduates and recent graduates ages 18 - 30, and up to 35 for veterans, for this unmatched leadership training program that is focused in the cultural and natural resource management. You must be (additional requirement):

• a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

* YES, a personal vehicle is required for this position. Note: Yes, a personal vehicle will give the individual the freedom and flexibility to see west Texas. This is a big geographic area. Not having a vehicle would be very limiting, but could be done.

Position Description: 

Blackwell School National Historic Site (BLSC) was authorized by President Biden on October 17, 2022. Over the last twelve months, the NPS has been collaborating with partners in standing up this new NPS unit. Built in 1909, the Blackwell School served as a segregated school for the Hispanic population of Marfa, Texas, during the era of segregation from 1889-1965. This site preserves the stories from a time when the practice of separate but equal dominated education and social systems in the United States. As of November 1, 2023, BLSC currently has one intern working on visual information development.

This intern will complete their work June 30, 2023. The goal of this project is to have a LHIP intern be the second employee (intern) of BLSC. The LHIP intern would continue where the current first intern left off. There would be an overlap of the two interns for approximately one month. This would guarantee an opportunity for collaboration and knowledge exchange as the new LHIP BLSC intern gets started. The overall goal for BLSC at this time is to develop a comprehensive inclusive external communications program. As of November 1, 2023, BLSC has not been established, meaning the superintendent of the supervising park (Fort Davis National Historic Site) is working on acquiring the lands. This has not stopped the NPS in moving forward on developing the BLSC communications program. In fact, it has prioritized this program over others due to the need to inform the broader community on current BLSC information. A LHIP intern would be a priority for BLSC based on the legislation establishing this park and the priority to enhance the communications program.

Responsibilities:

Deliverables and focus of this LHIP intern would include the following: 

• Focus on External communications. Become familiaar with park website(s), Facebook page(s) and other social media accounts. Take Content Management Systems (CMS) training to be able to edit NPS websites. Assist in developing components of the approved BLSC social media communications plan.
• Create social media communications products and marketing outdoor events and programs for BLSC. Assist in updating the BLSC website. Create Facebook posts as time allows.
• Create communication products, organize data collected or created, ensure access for supervisor and/or staff. Finalize all remaining work products in progress at the end of internship.
• Participate in community outreach events. Travel with NPS staff to potential events at partner university locations and other venues, assisting with documenting events and communicating with partners and community.

A 2023-2025 strategic work plan has been developed for BLSC. The Communications plan is one component of this work plan. This plan has been developed and approved for the first intern. The LHIP intern would continue as the second intern implementing this communications effort. 

The intern will work with Fort Davis National Historic Site (FODA) Interpretation Division to create content for the newly authorized Blackwell School National Historic Site (BLSC). Duties will include assisting in capturing video/photos for respective park sites at events or programs being offered; updating park social media sites; and updating park websites. Work involves drafting text/messages and taking photographs. Duties also include developing or editing written promotional material, writing articles for publication, answering inquiries or directing the public.

Travel to El Paso, TX to work with professors at the University of Texas, El Paso, on content development would be a potential action of the internship. Possible additional travel to other locations to assist with information gathering and possible oral history efforts.

Qualifications:

Intern who is experienced with making websites, knowledge of computer science, public speaking, knows how to talk with public, degree in history or education majors who know how to do research. Interns with experience in public history that includes museum work, archives, and other types of scholarly applications. Interns with experience in use of social media platforms and interest in public communication.

Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority (PLC)
The Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority is a special hiring authority available to qualifying interns. The intern must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old, inclusive, or a veteran up to age 35 and complete 640 hours of work on an appropriate conservation project to be eligible for this hiring authority. Upon successful completion of the PLC project(s), the intern is eligible for two years to be hired non-competitively into a federal seasonal, term, or permanent position. The applicant must apply to a PLC-eligible position advertised on USAJobs.gov and selected off a non-competitive certificate of eligibility. For more information, see DOI Personnel Bulletins 11-02 , 12-13, and 17-03.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.