Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial – Community Engagement – Equity and Inclusion Intern

Northwest Youth Corps

Community Engagement – Equity and Inclusion Intern – Individual Placement

Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial – Bainbridge Island, WA

Position Title: Community Engagement – Equity and Inclusion Intern

Position Summary: Northwest Youth Corps is recruiting one Community Engagement – Equity and Inclusion Intern June/July through October/November 2024 for 20 weeks (800-hrs) to welcome and engage visitors to the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. This position is actively seeking out members of the Japanese American community, appreciating their unique perspectives and skills. Embracing diversity enriches our team, fosters innovation, and strengthens our commitment to creating a welcoming National Park environment where everyone can thrive.

Overview:

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

About the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial:The Memorial is a unit of Minidoka National Historic Site that is collaboratively managed by the National Park Service and its partners to commemorate the first population of Japanese Americans forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated during World War II.

Duties and Responsibilities: Responsibilities will include supporting DEI-focused projects on Bainbridge Island. Projects may include enhancing recreational and accessibility opportunities for marginalized communities (including women and people of color), supporting the management of cultural resources by developing and implementing educational and informational materials for park visitors, working with park staff to communicate the story of Executive Order 9066, and sharing the stories of those individuals who were incarcerated.

Duties may also include, learning and conducting independent research on the history of Japanese American incarceration during World War II, with particular emphasis on the community of Bainbridge Island, and sharing this knowledge with visitors through formal and informal tours and the development of original publications, webpages, and content for social media.

Work will be performed in collaboration with a Memorial-based National Park Service ranger and community members representing the other partners responsible for the collaborative management of the Memorial. Most of the work is performed outside, and the Memorial’s infrastructure is primitive (e.g., unpaved road, no running water, phone lines, or electricity). Some work will be in collaboration with staff of the Seattle unit of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and may involve travel to and around Seattle for training, meetings, and other purposes.

Specific activities include:

• 20% – Learn and research the history of Japanese American incarceration during World War II, with particular emphasis on the community of Bainbridge Island.
• 20% – Develop original publications, webpages, and content for social media.
• 20% – Represent the National Park Service in community events and meetings with partners.
• 20% – Provide formal and informal tours of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial.
• 20% – Connect with marginalized communities (including woman and people of color) to support additional community engagement opportunities between the public and Bainbridge Island.

Required Qualifications:

• Preference given to those who self-identify as a member of the Asian American/Pacific Islander/Hawaiian Native community
• Be age 18+ by the position start date
• Must be a US Citizen, natural or lawful permanent resident
• Ability to work outdoors, travel across uneven terrain, and assist the public in inclement weather.
• Ability to positively represent the National Park Service and work collaboratively with others.
• Ability to talk to the public to provide information and solve problems.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• A willingness to learn.
• A positive attitude.

Desired Qualifications:

• Academic discipline or area of interest related to this position: history, education, humanities, Asian American studies, or other similar field(s).
• College coursework in 20th century American history, World War II and Japanese American history and culture.
• Knowledge of the Japanese American experience during World War II, Bainbridge Island cultural and natural history, the incarceration of Japanese Americans at Manzanar, Minidoka, and other concentration camps.
• Experience in presenting informational or educational talks to the public.
• Access to a personal vehicle (the Memorial is difficult to access via non-motorized and public transportation).

Duty Location: Duties are primarily performed at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. Attendance at special events and meetings may occur throughout Bainbridge Island. Training may be offered in Seattle and/or Idaho, including participating in the Minidoka Pilgrimage (July 4-7, 2024). Interns will be required to provide their own housing, food, and transportation.  

Terms of Employment: Intern will complete a 20-week (800 hr) program June/July through October/November 2024 and work 40 hours per week. Weekend and holiday availability is a must!

Program Benefits: $13,600 living stipend prorated monthly throughout the 20-week (800 hr) term. A $5,000 housing stipend is also prorated monthly for a total combined stipend of $18,600. Health insurance is provided, along with workers compensation, and FICA/Medicare. A reimbursement fund of $1,000 for relevant travel, training, and gear purchases is made available to the participant.