Facility Project Compliance Member – Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area – Build Up Technical Internship Program

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking one member to contribute to project compliance alongside NPS Staff.

About Build Up Technical Internship Program: This position is part of the Build Up Technical Internship Program facilitated by the Historic Preservation Training Center. The Build Up Technical Internship Program is working to expand and diversify the National Park Service workforce while addressing critical maintenance needs by providing professional experiences in technical fields to students and recent graduates.

For more information about the Build Up Technical Internship Program, please visit the NPS website.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May 5, 2025

Estimated End Date: September 20, 2025

*a 20-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, located in Eastern Washington, encompasses the 130-mile-long Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake created by the Grand Coulee Dam. The park was created via an agreement with Spokane Tribe, Colville Indian Reservation, and the United States Bureau of Reclamation. The park unit offers many opportunities for boating, camping, fishing, hiking, and swimming. The park tells the story of an evolving Western landscape – Native American, trading and trapping, and electrification can all be learned about from this unique park.

The duty station for this position is in Coulee Dam, Washington.

For more information about Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: As the Historic Research and Compliance Intern, you’ll combine historical research, technical skills, and collaboration to assist with project compliance in the Historic Fort Spokane District and other areas within Lake Roosevelt NRA. Your work will ensure that preservation efforts meet the highest standards of historical and regulatory accuracy.

• Identify, scan, and organize historic photographs and documents related to Fort Spokane.
• Develop preservation and compliance planning documents that support resource stewardship and project approvals.
• Use GIS and AutoCAD Map to create rectified GIS data, develop maps, and define the Area of Potential Effect (APE) for proposed projects.
• Assist in monitoring compliance for US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permits and other regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with the park’s Project Manager, Landscape Architect, Civil Engineer, and Archeologist to fully develop compliance packages.
• Input project details into the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) Program, including maps, drawings, and supporting documents.
• Ensure planned facilities are accurately added to the Facility Management Software System (FMSS).

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: 4-10-hour days Monday-Thursday

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $840/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

​​Direct Hire Authority: This position is classified as a DHA (Direct Hiring Authority) Internship. DHA positions target exceptional, current 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 landscape architecture and accessibility projects and be required to deliver a presentation to park leadership. After successful completion of the internship and all DHA program requirements, and after graduation from the member’s degree program, the member will be eligible to receive DHA non-competitive hiring eligibility.

Housing: Park housing will be available for the duration of the term.

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.

Through this internship opportunity, the intern will gain valuable skills, knowledge, and professional experiences that will prepare them for future roles in historic preservation, cultural resource management, and environmental compliance. These areas include:

Technical Skills

• GIS Mapping and Spatial Analysis
  • Creating and analyzing GIS-based maps to define Areas of Potential Effect (APE) and support compliance planning.
  • Rectifying historical data and integrating it with modern mapping tools to produce actionable resources.

• AutoCAD and Digital Drafting
  • Utilizing AutoCAD Map to create technical drawings and plans that align with project needs and regulatory requirements.

• Data Management and Archival Techniques
  • Digitizing, organizing, and preserving historic photos and documents.
  • Ensuring accessibility and accuracy in historical records for future research and planning.

• Compliance Systems Expertise
  • Learning to navigate and use the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) system for project documentation.
  • Inputting data into the Facility Management Software System (FMSS) to track and update park infrastructure records.

Professional Skills

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Identifying and resolving inconsistencies in historical records, GIS data, or compliance documentation.
  • Proposing solutions to complex compliance challenges, such as reconciling modern development needs with historical preservation requirements

• Project Management
  • Developing and managing detailed work plans, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines for deliverables such as compliance packages and GIS maps.
  • Coordinating with interdisciplinary teams to achieve project goals.

• Communication and Collaboration
  • Preparing written reports, presentations, and documentation to communicate findings effectively to park staff and stakeholders.
  • Engaging with staff from various disciplines, including archaeologists, engineers, and planners, to support collaborative project development.

• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Gaining exposure to interactions with internal and external stakeholders, including tribal representatives, regulatory agencies, and community partners.
  • Presenting project results to diverse audiences and incorporating feedback into deliverables.

Professional Development Experiences

• Exposure to NPS Processes and Career Opportunities
  • Developing a deep understanding of National Park Service workflows, regulations, and resource management strategies.
  • Exploring career paths in public lands management, historic preservation, environmental compliance, and GIS analysis.

• Mentorship and Networking
  • Building relationships with park staff, mentors, and professionals in historic preservation and cultural resource management.
  • Receiving career guidance and connections to future opportunities within and beyond the NPS.

• Leadership and Independence
  • Gaining confidence in managing independent projects and decision-making responsibilities.
  • Leading elements of the compliance process, from research to final presentation, with support from mentors.

Personal Growth and Understanding

• Cultural Awareness and Historical Insight
  • Developing a nuanced understanding of the cultural and historical significance of the Historic Fort Spokane District and its broader context within public lands.
  • Learning to balance preservation and modern development needs through a culturally sensitive approach.

• Adaptability and Resilience
  • Navigating challenges in fieldwork, data collection, and project development with flexibility and a positive mindset.
  • Gaining experience working in a professional setting that values collaboration and problem-solving.

• Sense of Stewardship
  • Building a personal connection to the mission of preserving and protecting cultural and historical resources for future generations.
  • Fostering a sense of responsibility and pride in contributing to the National Park Service’s work.

Qualifications

Required:

• 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 valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• 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.

Preferred:

Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in:

• Historic Preservation: Focuses on the study and preservation of historical buildings, sites, and artifacts, aligning directly with the responsibilities of compliance and preservation planning.
• Cultural Resource Management: Prepares students to manage and protect cultural and historical resources within legal and regulatory frameworks, such as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
• Environmental Planning: Understanding of how compliance, preservation, and planning intersect in managing natural and cultural resources.
• History or Public History: Provides expertise in archival research, historical analysis, and the practical application of historical knowledge to public projects.

Related Fields

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Emphasis on spatial analysis, mapping, and data visualization for historical and cultural resource management.
• Archaeology: Background in archaeological methods and understanding of cultural heritage resources.
• Architecture or Landscape Architecture: Knowledge of design principles, especially when linked to historic structures or cultural landscapes.
• Urban or Regional Planning: Focus on compliance and planning in the context of historic and cultural resource considerations.
• Knowledge of computer and technology systems, facility management, and compliance.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team and be independently motivated.
• Deep interest in the National Park Service and facilities management.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, wetland conditions, biting insects & snakes, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members, or resources. May be operating as a passenger on boats in open water. Exposure to direct sunlight and temperatures ranging from 80 to 100 degrees.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE’s online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Historic Preservation Project Manager, Kyle Ellison.

ACE values an inclusive workforce – if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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.