Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument – Interpretation and Education Internship

Idaho Conservation Corps / Northwest Youth Corps 

Individual Placement

National Park Service

Interpretation and Education Internship

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument – Hagerman, ID

14 Weeks (560 HR): May 13, 2024 – August 23, 2024

Northwest Youth Corps (NYC):

Northwest Youth Corps was created in 1984 to offer teenagers and young adults an education-based, work experience modeled after the historic Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930’s. Today, we serve over 1,000 youth and young adults each year across a four-state region who restore critical habitat, build trails, lead volunteers, educate youth, and respond to local and national disasters.

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument (HAFO):

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument was established to preserve fossils from approximately 4 to 3 million years ago, during the mid to late Pliocene Epoch. The monument is significant for its variety, quantity, and quality of animal and plant fossils: a mix of “Ice Age favorites” like mastodons, saber-toothed cats, and giant ground sloths, that once lived alongside animals that can be found in Hagerman today, like horses, beavers, and many types of waterbirds. Hagerman is one of few sites with enough fossil variety and quantity to study past climates and ancient ecosystems. More about HAFO and its partner agency, Thousand Springs State Park (TSSP), found here: https://www.nps.gov/hafo/index.htm

Position Title: Interpretation and Education Intern – 560 HR

Position Summary: The National Park Service is recruiting summer interns to provide visitor services assistance within the Interpretation and Education Division at HAFO. The interns will work alongside HAFO staff, TSSP partners, and volunteers at Thousand Springs Visitor Center in Hagerman. The interns may have opportunities to collaborate with additional HAFO work teams, including Integrated Resources Management and Facilities and Maintenance.

Duties and Responsibilities: Major duties are related to learning and working alongside personnel in visitor services at HAFO. The interns will welcome visitors and invite public engagement with an important fossil preservation site. The interns will provide orientation and information about HAFO, TSSP, and the National Park Service including recreational opportunities and park regulations. The park anticipates over 20,000 visitors this summer.

Specific activities include:

• Staffing the visitor center front desk.
• Delivering interpretive programs to the public.
• Researching the natural and cultural resources of HAFO.
• Roving trails and interacting with visitors.
• Developing and collaborating on a digital media project with an intern cohort.

Duty Location:

Duties are performed within the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument in Hagerman, ID.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to work outdoors, hike, and assist the public in remote settings and inclement weather on uneven ground.
• Willingness to work as part of a team in an outdoor setting.
• Ability to give direction and talk to the public.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• A positive attitude and cultural competency to welcome visitors from all backgrounds.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Northern Rocky Mountain and Snake River Plain natural resources, paleontology, and plants.
• College coursework in natural science or parks and recreation.
• Experience in presenting informational or educational talks to the public.
• Attention to details, time management skills, and ability to work independently; self-motivated to complete tasks and problem solve.

Terms of Employment:

• Intern will complete the 14-week program from approximately May 13 to August 23, with the potential to extend into September. The first two weeks will include visitor services and interpretation training.
• The member will average 40 hours of work per week. Weekend and holiday work is standard for visitor services operations. Memorial Day Weekend and 4th of July Weekend are mandatory work weekends.
• Interns are responsible for providing their own housing and food. Interns will be required to make their own housing arrangements in the local southern Idaho area. Housing reimbursement may be available upon request.
• Personal transportation and valid driver’s license required.

Program Benefits:

• $7,840 total living allowance, prorated monthly.

While housing is not provided, housing fund may be available upon request.