Resource Assistant- National Parks of Boston
Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) is seeking a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) Resource Assistant interested in dedicating 11 weeks to support the National Parks of Boston in expanding access to park sites through the development of student-centered online teaching resources in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding.
Start Date: June 6, 2022
End Date: August 19, 2022
The Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program (CRDIP) is a professional development internship that introduces students, from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the National Parks, to career opportunities within Cultural Resource Management in the NPS. Applicants must be 18-30 (up to 35 for Veterans) and either A) in pursuit of a higher education degree or B) still be within two years of graduation from a degree program. CRDIP participants will have the opportunity to attend several professional development webinars as well as write blogs or create videos about their projects throughout the summer.
A DHA (Direct Hire Authority) Internship targets exceptional upper-level undergraduate or graduate students that are interested in pursuing careers with the NPS. DHA positions will be rigorous internships that develop the participant's technical and creative thinking abilities, leadership skills, and problem-solving capabilities.
DHA applicants will be involved in cultural resource management projects that generate data and/or research that must be analyzed and presented to various stakeholders at the end of the internship. If the position is an education or interpretation project, the participant must research, develop, and pilot a program or materials for use at the host site. After successful completion of the internship, and graduation from their degree program, the intern will receive DHA non-competitive hiring eligibility.
Location: The National Parks of Boston are located in Boston, MA, the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The city, which encompasses 21 diverse neighborhoods, is home to more than 600,000 residents and a diverse student population. The office is in downtown Boston, with very easy access to mainland park sites and neighborhoods via a well-developed public transit system. Transit to the Boston Harbor Islands is via ferries that depart from Long Wharf in downtown Boston.
For more information regarding the National Parks of Boston, please visit their NPS websites:
Boston National Historical Park: https://www.nps.gov/bost/index.htm
Boston African American National Historic Park: https://www.nps.gov/boaf/index.htm
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area: https://www.nps.gov/boha/index.htm
Living Allowance: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $560/week to offset the costs of housing, food, and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS. An allowance of $750/month will be provided to help offset the cost of housing.
Project Background and Goals: With the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding quickly approaching, the National Parks of Boston's Education, Youth & Volunteer Engagement (EYVE) team seeks to expand access to park sites through the development of student-centered online teaching resources. As part of the park's Revolution 250 planning efforts, the EYVE program seeks to raise the visibility of Boston's National Parks as culturally responsive, relevant places that provide opportunities for ALL people to learn about themselves and others while building civic skills.
Working with NPS and partner educators, the DHA Resource Assistant will assist in the coordination and facilitation of a graduate level course for the 2021 Place-Based Boston Teacher Institute that explores how Boston's revolutionary legacy remains active, resonant and links generations of the past to our present and future. Through links between Boston's 18th, 19th, and 20th century revolutions, the DHA Resource Assistant will develop place-inspired learning materials with local educators, for a national audience to raise the visibility of social, political and environmental change over time.
Position Description: The DHA Resource Assistant can expect to work at the office or conduct site visits at park and partner sites along Boston's Freedom Trail, Black Heritage Trail and Boston Harbor Islands. Duties will include:
- Curate a digital collection of primary sources linking the American Revolution to Boston's abolitionist community in the 19th Century
- Actively participate in the 2022 Place-Based Boston Teacher Institute (July - August) and surveying teacher needs and interests for online teaching and learning resources
- Participate in the National Parks of Boston's Revolution 250 Planning Committee, with a focus on the needs and interests of the teaching and learning community locally and nationally
- Work with teachers to design a co-authored, curriculum-based learning experience that can be accessible online for Boston Public School teachers and educators across the country
- Present project results to National Parks of Boston and Place-Based Boston Collaborative staff and leadership
Qualifications:
Required
- Must be currently enrolled in a post-secondary degree program
- Background in public history with a focus on American History
- Background in education, curriculum development, and public engagement
- 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
- US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
- ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 by the time they start their term or request a medical or religious exemption
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 by clicking the "Apply Externally" button. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Program Manager, Jen Wells at jwells@usaconservation.org.
This position will close on Friday, March 4, 2022
EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.