Monday, January 24, 2011

Internships - National Park Service

Sponsored by the National Park Service

and the National Council for Preservation Education

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Summer 2011 Positions Available

The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE), offers paid internships in Federal cultural resource program offices and in National Parks, to graduate and undergraduate senior students in academic programs in historic preservation and allied fields such as history, archeology, architecture, and museum studies. Positions will be available this Summer at the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, and the Veterans Administration, in Washington, DC and across the country.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 25, 2011

Applications and instructions for applying are available

at the following Web sites:

NPS: www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/hpit_p.htm

NCPE: www.preservenet.cornell.edu/employ/ncpe.html

See the following pages for a listing of positions,

and check the Web sites for updates on New positions.


National Council for Preservation Education

2011 Summer Internships

with the

National Park Service, Department of the Interior

and Veterans Administration


The National Park Service, the Department of the Interior and the Veterans Administration will offer internships during the Summer of 2011. Internships are for ten (10) weeks, at forty (40) hours per week and in Washington, DC except where noted. Stipends are issued based on a rate of twelve dollars per hour. The exact starting dates will be determined on a case-by-case basis. For all internships, computer and word processing skills are desirable.

To speed processing of your request and give you a faster review of your application, please scan your materials electronically and email them as a single Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file containing both signed application and transcripts to Michael Tomlan at Cornell University (email: mat4@cornell.edu). If electronic submission is not possible, all application materials should be mailed to the National Council for Preservation Education, Attention: Michael A. Tomlan, 210 West Sibley Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853-6701. Applications must be received no later than February 25, 2011. Please indicate by number the internship(s) in which you are interested.

Please be aware that, unless otherwise noted, interns are responsible for travel to and housing at the internship location. This should be kept in mind particularly for those internships in the West. In some cases the supervising office may be able to assist in locating housing but it is ultimately up to the individual accepting the internship to find accommodations.

Also be aware that, due to Federal Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required for any position which involves access to Government computers, if you are chosen for that position. This may include providing information about recent housing and employment history, and those positions may require US citizenship or possession of a valid student visa to complete the check. The position supervisor will have more information on requirements and procedures at the time of hiring.
National Park Service Internships


2100/2101. Archeology Program: Works with the Archeology program as a research assistant on small research projects, databases, resource protection, and related projects. May assist in developing materials for archeology training and researching and developing educational materials for archeology outreach in parks and programs. May work on aspects of Web development, including links verification and technical editing (400 hours).

2102. Park Cultural Resources Program: Works with all divisions of the Park Cultural Resources Program (Archeology, Ethnography, History, Historic Structures and Cultural Landscapes, Museum Management) to collect, write, and synthesize information Servicewide about cultural resources and climate change adaptation and mitigation. Duties may include writing case studies; developing educational materials; organizing office records; and collecting pertinent reports and other information (400 hours).

2103. Park History Program: Works with the Park History Program primarily as an assistant on a variety of research projects related to American history, the history of the National Park Service, and cultural resources management. Projects may include the anniversaries of the Civil War and the War of 1812; the maritime history of the US; development of oral history training materials and oral history projects; and management and design of Web sites. Interns often complete research assignments for a variety of parks at the National Archives and the Library of Congress. May also assist in organizing and cataloging office records and archives and creating educational materials for history outreach. This internship is a good match for students in history, anthropology, folklore, and American studies (400 hours).

2104. National NAGPRA Program: Working with Program staff, assists with the various databases maintained by the National NAGPRA office, including the Culturally Unidentifiable Native American Inventories Database as mandated by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (NAGPRA), and the Culturally Affiliated Native American Inventories Database. Duties include review of inventories and summaries previously submitted by museums and Federal agencies; data entry; and cross-checking of electronic records. Other duties may include providing assistance with digitizing records; organizing information from the databases for various reports; Federal Register notice processing; and administrative and logistical support as needed. Knowledge of or an interest in Native American issues and anthropology desirable. Familiarity with spreadsheet (Microsoft) software, data collection methods, and excellent organizational and time management skills necessary. Experience with databases a plus; training will be provided. For more information, contact Mariah Soriano, National NAGPRA Program Officer, nagpra_info@nps.gov or 202-354-2205 (400 hours).

2105. Heritage Education Services, National Park Service: Assists in preparing and posting NPS Discover Our Shared Heritage travel itineraries and/or Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plans on the NPS web site. Duties may include developing content, conducting research, editing, carrying out work to post itineraries and/or lesson plans on the web, updating and improving the websites, and marketing Heritage Education Services (HES) programs and products. Works with a variety of organizations and professionals in partnership with the NPS. Excellent opportunity to learn about cultural heritage tourism and heritage education, to learn and practice computer software skills, and to gain experience developing web based products that promote historic places listed in the National Register as destinations and as tools for learning.

2106. Internship with the Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC): Assists Senior Historical Architect (registered architect) in ongoing historic preservation projects at National Park and National Cemetery units. Duties include field inspection, historic fabric investigation and condition assessments of historic structures and preparation of Historic Structure Assessment Reports. Applicants (architecture students preferred) should be familiar with historic construction methodology and historic preservation philosophy including The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Hands-on experience with field documentation, material assessment and writing skills are a bonus – please articulate in your application. This internship may qualify for AIA Student/ NCARB IDP credits. Position will require travel throughout the metro Washington DC area (MD, VA, WV, DC) and possibly further. For more information about this summer’s projects contact Senior Historical Architect Tom Vitanza, RA, AIA at 301/663-8206 x135 or tom_vitanza@nps.gov after February 1, 2011. Information about the Center may be found at http://www.nps.gov/training/hptc/index.htm . Located at HPTC headquarters, Frederick, MD (480 hours).

2107/2108/2109. Chesapeake &Ohio Canal National Historical Park: Assists the Cultural Resources Program Manager with multiple preservation projects to include updating records on historic buildings, structures and museum objects. May require visiting park sites and researching existing records. Intern will work in independent manner. Open to candidates with a background in history, historic preservation, or archives management. Housing and transportation will be the intern's responsibility. Located in Hagerstown, MD (400 hours).

2110. Southeast Regional Office Cultural Landscapes Program: Adds Southeast Region cultural landscapes to the NPS Cultural Landscapes Inventory. Duties include data entry from existing information and/or completion of new inventories through research; field documentation; and written analysis. May include travel to one or more NPS units. Knowledge of cultural landscapes, landscape architecture, and National Register criteria preferred. Strong computer, research, and writing skills are essential. Experience with AutoCad, GIS, or other graphic software is helpful. Housing is the intern's responsibility. Public transportation to the regional office is available. Located in Atlanta, GA (400 hours).

2111. Everglades National Park (Museum Technician): Assists with museum collection management for Everglades National Park. Will provide training for Interior Collections Management System (ICMS) for cataloging collections. Duties include inventory; rehousing map collections, implementing the Archives Collection Condition Survey recommendations; and preventive conservation to meet professional museum storage standards. Museum studies background preferred but attention to detail and a willingness to learn also important. Transportation is the intern’s responsibility. Will help with locating housing. Located in Homestead, FL (400 hours).

2112. Midwest Regional Office: Assists with the Cultural Landscapes Inventory and List of Classified Structures database updates and other data entry for parks within the region. Other tasks may include assisting with the organization of the program's files and reports; working with digital photos; and assisting Historical Landscape Architects, Historical Architects, and Landscape Historians with specific project research and tasks as assigned. Knowledge of the National Register process, cultural landscapes and historic structures is preferred, but not essential. Intern should be prepared to work in an office environment. Travel and fieldwork are not anticipated at this time, but may be scheduled. Housing and transportation are the intern’s responsibility. Located in Omaha, NE: The Midwest Regional Office is a LEED Gold rated building on the new waterfront development of the Missouri River, near the Omaha Old Market, where recreation and entertainment opportunities are plentiful (400 hours).

2113. Midwest Regional Office History and National Register Program: Working with Regional Office, park staff and community leaders, researches and writes National Register nominations for NPS units. Strong research and writing abilities desirable. Housing and transportation are the intern’s responsibility. Located in Omaha, NE (400 hours).

2114. Midwest Regional Office External Cultural Resources Program: Working with National Register Programs staff, duties will include assisting with production of a National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) newsletter; assisting with the condition assessment of NHLs; compiling historic preservation grant data; and reviewing HABS/HAER documentation. Intern will work with some independence following initial orientation. Knowledge of the National Register nomination process, strong organizational skills and interest in historic properties desirable. Housing and transportation are the intern’s responsibility. Located in Omaha, NE (400 hours).

2115/2116. Midwest Regional Office, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (Museum Technician): Works with the Midwest Region Registrar to catalog the historic artifact collection at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Duties include cataloging the historic artifact collection backlog (6,289 objects) as reported on the fiscal year 2010 Collections Management Report (CMR) using the Department of the Interior’s official software, the Interior Collections Management System (ICMS) and repackaging historic artifacts to meet present curatorial standards to enhance the long-term preservation of the objects. Regional Registrar will provide training on ICMS during the first week of the internship. Intern will work with park staff and the Midwest Regional Office Museum Registrar to complete this project. Museum studies or archives management background preferred, but attention to detail also important. Housing and transportation are the intern’s responsibility. Located in Porter, IN, at the southern end of Lake Michigan (400 hours).

2117/2118. Intermountain Region, Cultural Landscapes Program: Works with and assists historical landscape architects and other preservation professionals to complete various Cultural Landscape Inventories with different National Park sites in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Duties include researching the landscape history of a historic property; site visits and field work to document the existing conditions with photographs and maps; analyzing the landscape features; and entering the information into a database. Knowledge of cultural landscapes, landscape architecture, and the National Register criteria is preferred. Strong computer, research, and writing skills are essential; working knowledge with graphics programs (Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator and/or CAD) is beneficial. Opportunity for all preservation fields with an interest in the study of historic landscapes. Located in Santa Fe, NM (400 hours).

2119. Intermountain Region, Cultural Landscapes Program: Works with and assists historical landscape architects and other preservation professionals to complete various Cultural Landscape Inventories with different National Park sites in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Duties include researching the landscape history of a historic property; site visits and field work to document the existing conditions with photographs and maps; analyzing the landscape features; and entering the information into a database. Knowledge of cultural landscapes, landscape architecture, and the National Register criteria is preferred. Strong computer, research, and writing skills are essential; working knowledge with graphics programs (Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator and/or CAD) is beneficial. Opportunity for all preservation fields with an interest in the study of historic landscapes. Located in Santa Fe, NM (400 hours).

2120/2121/2122/2123. Intermountain Region, Historic Structures Inventory Program: Works with and assists architectural historian and other preservation professionals to identify, inventory and evaluate National Park Service owned historic and prehistoric structures in National Park sites in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Duties include researching the history of historic properties; site visits to document the existing condition of listed structures with photographs; and entering the information into the national inventory database. Knowledge of historic architecture, architecture, and the National Register program is preferred. Computer skills are essential and a working knowledge of graphics programs (Adobe Photoshop) and Excel is important. Located in Santa Fe, NM (480 hours).

2124. Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Facility Management Division (Landscape Architect): Assists Facility Manager, Landscape Architect and Facilities Management Specialist with work including but not limited to construction inspection, design of historic rehabilitation projects, collection of historic structure information, and evaluation of cyclic and rehabilitation needs for entry into facility management software system. Duties may involve measuring, photographing, researching, documenting cultural components, information collection, historic research, drafting plans, writing specifications, cost estimating, grant writing, and other on-site investigations work. Useful knowledge and skills include landscape architecture background, training in historic preservation and construction experience; knowledge of typical computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CAD, and programs for Internet and email access) necessary. Applicants should be in excellent physical condition, may expect to work at elevations between 1,000' and 2,500' and occasionally hike moderate distances over rough terrain with day packs and light equipment. Please provide examples of your work if possible. Housing provided inside or outside the park. Located in Sulphur, OK, between Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX and Oklahoma City, OK, with work in the proposed Platt National Park Historic Landmark District and Lake District (480 hours).

2125. Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Facility Management Division (Architect): Assists Facility Manager, Landscape Architect and Facilities Management Specialist with work including but not limited to construction inspection, design of historic rehabilitation projects, collection of historic structure information and evaluation of cyclic and rehabilitation needs for entry into facility management software system. Duties may involve measuring, photographing, researching, documenting cultural components, information collection, historic research, drafting plans, writing specifications, cost estimating, grant writing, and other on-site investigations work. Useful knowledge and skills include architecture background, training in historic preservation and construction experience; knowledge of typical computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CAD, and programs for Internet and email access) necessary. Applicants should be in excellent physical condition, may expect to work at elevations between 1,000' and 2,500' and occasionally hike moderate distances over rough terrain with day packs and light equipment. Please provide examples of your work if possible. Housing provided inside or outside the park. Located in Sulphur, OK, between Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX and Oklahoma City, OK, with work in the proposed Platt National Park Historic Landmark District and Lake District (480 hours).

2126. Grand Teton National Park, Western Center for Historic Preservation: Assists park historic preservation team with this year’s field projects on National Register structures, with opportunities for developing techniques in historic fabric repair and conservation. Duties may involve both office and field work, depending on intern’s skills and planning requirements of the preservation program, and will include exposure to hands-on treatment of historic structures and preservation practices as they apply to the carpentry, masonry, and woodshop trades, as well as field and shop work on vernacular log structures and their components including windows/doors/trim/and foundations. Other activities may include technical writing; historic structures database information collection; conducting historical research; architectural drafting; and onsite investigation work. Construction, wood crafting, AutoCAD, computer and/or backcountry outdoor skills are a plus. Located in Moose, WY, approximately 10 miles from Jackson Hole, but may have field assignments anywhere in the park (480 hours).

2127. Grand Teton National Park: Assists cultural resources specialist to complete National Register nominations, document section 106 compliance actions, compile materials for preservation treatment guide, and update the List of Classified Structures. Also assists in researching and completing documentation for incomplete Cultural Landscape Inventory projects and coordinate with regional office. Various field work required on as-needed basis. Duties include building and land records research; architectural writing; graphic and photo documentation; and records maintenance. Assistance with finding housing will be provided but is the intern’s responsibility. Located in Moose, WY, approximately 10 miles from Jackson Hole (400 hours).

2128. Olympic National Park: Assists park historical architect and backcountry preservation carpenter with this year’s field projects on National Register structures and landscapes. Duties may involve both office and field work, depending on intern’s skills and planning requirements of the preservation program. Hands-on work will be on wood frame and log structures and historic landscapes. Other activities may include condition assessments; historic structures database information collection; conducting historical research; and architectural drafting. Knowledge in historic preservation, construction, woodcrafting, AutoCAD, computer and/or backcountry outdoor skills is a plus. Located in Port Angeles, WA, but will have field assignments in various locations in the park (480 hours).

2129. Mount Rainier National Park: Assists the Park Historical Architect on a variety of tasks. Work will include both office and field work in historic structure documentation and development of treatment recommendations. May include hiking to remote locations at high altitudes. Working knowledge of basic architectural terminology and historic preservation principles and practices required. Knowledge of treatments that balance improving energy efficiency while maintaining historic character beneficial. Strong computer, research, and writing skills essential; skills in graphics programs (Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator and/or CAD) beneficial. Located in Longmire, WA with field assignments throughout the park (400 hours).

2130. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area: Assists with pre-field record searches, archeological field survey and site assessments, preparing final site forms and reports, and archiving project materials. Applicant must be able to work in rugged field conditions since the position involves some long days hiking over uneven and brushy terrain under sometimes adverse weather conditions. Applicant should have an academic background in archeology/anthropology or history with interests in historic preservation, possess good written communication skills, be detail oriented, and have the ability to perform a variety of tasks independently. Applicants with GPS/GIS skills preferred. Housing available at reasonable cost at Whiskeytown NRA. For more information contact Joseph Svinarich, Archeologist, Fire Program, at 530-242-3458 or joe_svinarich@nps.gov . Located at Whiskeytown NRA, about 8 mi. west of Redding, CA, with possible overnight travel for field assignments at Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Redwood National Park (400 hours).

2131/2132. Yosemite National Park, Heritage Structures Preservation Team and Cultural Resources Division: Assists park historic preservation team with this year’s field projects on National Register structures, with opportunities for developing techniques in historic fabric repair and conservation. Duties may involve both office and field work, depending on intern’s skills and planning requirements of the preservation program, and will include exposure to hands-on treatment of historic structures and preservation practices as they apply to the carpentry and masonry trades, on structures ranging from vernacular log cabins to rustic and Victorian architecture. Other activities may include technical writing; developing treatment plans; historic structures database information collection; conducting historical research; architectural drafting; and onsite investigation work. Construction, AutoCAD, computer and/or backcountry outdoor skills are a plus. Located in El Portal, CA at the park’s west entrance but may have field assignments anywhere in the park (400 hours).

2133. Yosemite National Park, Branch of History, Architecture and Landscapes (HAL): Assists Historical Architects and Historical Landscape Architects with inventory, documenting, and evaluating National Register structures, cultural landscapes, and historic park studies. Duties may involve both office and field work, depending on intern’s skills and ongoing projects undertaken by the HAL program, and may include: measuring and photographing historic buildings; researching and documenting cultural landscapes; historic structures database information collection and data entry; conducting historical research; architectural drafting; onsite investigation; and crossover duties with the park's Heritage Preservation Team for hands-on preservation work. Useful knowledge and skills include solid training in historic preservation, training and/or experience in preparing National Register nominations, an architecture/landscape architecture background, construction skills, good writing skills, experience with AutoCAD, ArcView and documenting with Global Positioning System equipment. Applicants should expect to work at elevations between 2,000' and 8,000', and may hike long distances over rough terrain with day packs and equipment. Located in El Portal, CA at the park's west entrance but may have field assignments anywhere in the park (480 hours, to be completed between mid-May and September).


Department of the Interior Internships

2134. Interior Museum Program, DOI Office of the Secretary (Curatorial Assistant): Assists with projects of the DOI Interior Museum Program and the Interagency Federal Collections Alliance. Duties include researching and drafting policy guidance documents; preparing material for training courses; researching issues on various topics dealing with federal museum property; and updating the Interior Museum Program and Interagency Federal Collections Alliance Web sites (600 hours).


Veterans Administration Internships
2135/2136/2137. Department of Veterans Affairs Historic Preservation Program: Assists in coordinating preservation program activities and initiatives, including inventories, collections management documentation, and provenance research of archival collections. Duties include performing historical research and analysis to support preservation studies and interpretation on various subjects, documenting the significance and context of VA historic properties and cultural resources, and developing reports of findings, context narratives, timelines, fact sheets, and other materials, as needed; conducting inventories and research to authenticate or validate information, creating statistical or audio visual materials, and developing surveys, as needed; consulting with the local community concerning federal, state, and local historic preservation practices and programs, and providing assistance to the public or other VA offices, as assigned, under direction of the VA Federal Preservation Officer; assisting with creating or contributing to facility history files on VA facilities, developing community contact lists, and identifying and recording historic materials and memorabilia associated with historic buildings and sites; communicating with various professional organizations regarding cultural resources of local, regional, state, and national significance; and providing general assistance to the VA Federal Preservation Officer, as needed. Required skills include proficiency in Microsoft Office and relational databases such as Microsoft Access; strong historical research and writing skills; strong communication and organizational skills; general office duties, data base entry, and filing; and knowledge of historic preservation theory and practice. Background in history, architectural history, historic preservation, anthropology, archives or collections management preferred. One internship each located in Washington, DC; West Los Angeles, CA; and Bay Pines, FL (400 hours)