CRDIP Collections Assistant - Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Pinnacles National Park

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program, is seeking a Collections Assistant to assist Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Pinnacles National Park in two collections-related projects.

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

Start Date: June 3, 2024

Estimated End Date: March 7, 2025

*a 40-week minimum commitment is required *

-22 weeks: CRDIP/Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (FOVA)

-18 weeks: collaboration w/ Pinnacles National Park at FOVA

The Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program (CRDIP) is a professional development internship that provides paid service opportunities in the cultural resources fields to motivated students and recent graduates with a focus on recruiting students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the National Park Service and cultural resources fields

CRDIP participants will have the opportunity to attend several professional development webinars as well as write blogs or create videos about their projects throughout their term. To learn more: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/join-us.htm

Location: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (FOVA) - Vancouver, WA

Located on the north bank of the Columbia River, in sight of snowy mountain peaks and a vibrant urban landscape, this park has a rich cultural past. From a frontier fur trading post, to a powerful military legacy, the magic of flight, and the origin of the American Pacific Northwest, history is shared at four unique sites. Discover stories of transition, settlement, conflict, and community. For more information about the park, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/fova/index.htm

The Pinnacles National Park archival collection is stored at Fort Vancouver NHS and will be one focus of this position. Pinnacles National Park, headquartered in Paicines, California, protects a unique landscape of chaparral, oak woodlands, canyon bottoms, caves and rock spires, as well as the plant and animal life that live there.

Having a personal vehicle is not required, but highly recommended for commuting and to access groceries and other needs on days off.

Position Overview: The Collections Assistant will get a behind-the-scenes look at collections both on exhibit and in collection storage. Working with curatorial staff from Fort Vancouver NHS and Pinnacles NP, the Collections Assistant will gain experience working with archaeological and historic artifacts, as well as archives. The Collections Assistant will assist museum staff with:

• Assisting Fort Vancouver NHS with a complex 100% inventory project in preparation for a large-scale collections move
• Assisting with cataloging historic and archaeological collections
• Routine housekeeping and environmental monitoring in exhibit spaces and collections storage areas to ensure the preservation and protection of museum collections and enhance the visitor experience to the site
• Assisting with public programs related to museum collections
• Assisting Pinnacles NP with archival projects, to include digitization of historic photographs, and potentially stabilization and cataloging of unaccessioned materials

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: Full-time position Monday to Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm.

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 two 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Awards (FOVA & PINN) while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, each valued up to $2,627.27. upon successful completion of a complete service term and service hours. Contact the Member Manager below for further info or questions.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. 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 here.

Housing: Park housing is provided at no cost for the duration of their term. The ACE member will have their own room, but share a kitchen, bathroom, and other living areas.

Travel Reimbursement: A $650 travel reimbursement will be provided during the 18-week term with Pinnacles National Park for project-related travel expenses.

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. ACE members will receive training in museum collections management.

Qualifications

Required:

• Interest in cultural resources and museum management
• 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 current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID's upon hiring)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history check
• 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
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here

Preferred:

• Possess a degree, experience, and/or demonstrated interest in public history, cultural resource management, museum studies, archives management, or a related discipline
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Environmental: Office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good. Some museum collection objects are exhibited or stored in non-climate-controlled historic structures so expect extremes of humid/warmer and dryer/colder conditions depending on season.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Physical Demands: This position is primarily sedentary in nature, although there will be occasional periods of activity (approximately once per week) that require the ability to traverse uneven and/or unpaved exterior areas. Daily duties require hiking, sitting, standing, using hands to feel or handle, and walking. Manual dexterity necessary for use of equipment and tools beyond computer keyboard and mouse.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 pounds unassisted, ability to move up to 50 pounds with assistance.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including pest excrement and mold on a routine basis but will be provided proper protective equipment. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members, or cultural resources.

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 CRDIP Member Manager, Samira Rosario Martinez, at srosario-martinez@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.