Interpretation Members - White Sands National Park

EPIC • Alamogordo, NM

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The primary focus of this position within the Division of Interpretation, Visitor Services, and Outreach at White Sands National Park is to provide exceptional interpretive and front-line visitor services. You will provide orientation, information, and informal interpretation at the visitor center desk, provide interpretive programming about the park's natural resources and cultural history, and represent the park at outreach events. Your internship project will be developing interpretive programs and products about the ice age era human and mammal fossilized footprints found in the park that date back between 21,000 – 23,000 years ago. We are seeking an individual who is looking to grow their interpretive skillset, learn more about operations at a busy national park site, and gain knowledge on a variety of topics including geology, biology, paleontology, archeology, indigenous history, and military history. Park staff will provide formal and informal training and mentorship for the intern participating in the ACE project throughout the year. These positions meet an unmet need at White Sands National Park as the interns will create new interpretive programs and provide hands-on training for future interpreters that the permanent and seasonal staff do not have the capacity to establish. Without these internships visitors will miss opportunities to learn about groundbreaking Ice Age discoveries, reducing public engagement and understanding of these rare resources. This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals.

Requirements

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• 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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an AA degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as science (biology, geology, paleontology, ecology, environmental science, or a related subject), history (anthropology, cultural, museum studies, public, archaeology, indigenous, or a related subject), recreation management, natural resources, or related subjects.
• Ability and willingness to welcome everyone prior to conducting informal interpretation, answering repetitive questions with grace and patience, and providing correct change and instruction.
• Ability to educate visitors in responsible recreation and/or other natural resource topics in accordance with National Park Service objectives and policies, to reinforce compliance with laws/regulations, to resolve problems, and to provide assistance to park visitors. Contacts may include dealing with some persons and/or groups that may be uncooperative, hostile and who have different viewpoints.
• Knowledge of public speaking, computer skills, software such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Zoom/Microsoft Teams, history, and science.
• Interest in paleontology and archeology is preferred. Experience with such subjects is also preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide orientation, information, and informal interpretation at the visitor center desk
• Provide interpretive programming about the park's natural resources and cultural history
• Represent the park at outreach events
• Developing interpretive programs and products about the ice age era human and mammal fossilized footprints found in the park that date back between 21,000 – 23,000 years ago.

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.
• This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility Requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age ( You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship.
• Housing: ACE members will have access up to $500/month for housing reimbursement. Securing housing is the responsibility of the members and not provided by ACE or NPS although NPS employees may be able to provide leads to the members to help guide them in their search. Affordable housing can be found in both Alamogordo (20 minutes from park) and Las Cruces (1 hour from park).
• Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $1,000 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.
• Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $250 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes fleece or rain jacket, hooded sweatshirt, beanie, boots, work pants, and/or hiking socks, and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.
• 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 park overview and orientation and training in the following areas: interpretive program delivery, park resources and history, safety training such as Operational Leadership, customer service skills, interpretation skills, de-escalation skills, and public speaking. Professional development opportunities such as cross training days with other divisions and staff and attending online training are encouraged.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree