Historian / Historical Archaeologist (PLC) – ONSITE – Cuyahoga Valley National Park/Science and Resources Management/Cultural Resources Program

Start/End Dates: May 26th, 2025 – October 10th, 2025 (20 weeks)
Compensation: $688 per week
Medical Insurance: Not provided
Application Due: February 7th, 2025

The Latino Heritage Internship Program seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers. 

The following is an additional requirement:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• Driver’s License: A personal vehicle is strongly preferred.

Position Description:

This project will involve a survey and research of historical settlement patterns in Cuyahoga Valley (specifically the park and adjacent lands) prior to and shortly after the building of the Ohio and Erie Canal (approximately 1800 to 1860). Specifically, this project will identify and map (using GIS) the locations of farmsteads, mills, stores, roads, and other structures within the park (and possibly nearby adjacent lands) that were constructed prior to 1860. Research will document the occupants of these properties, their operations, and the local and external influences that led to the success or demise of these properties during this time period. The research will focus on properties that have surviving elements within the park. The current inventory identifies 14 farms, buildings, or ruins still standing within the park.

The intern will develop a GIS layer(s) showing the historical buildings and structures identified through their research. A written report will accompany the GIS mapping, describing how and where the research was conducted, whether any trends or anomalies were identified, and discussing any future or follow-up research that should be conducted.

This thematic survey project will help CUVA:

• Expand and verify the inventory of historic properties.
• Determine the history and significance of historic properties within the park and allow National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nominations to be created or updated.
• Assess the significance of the park’s standing structures to aid in the development of management and preservation strategies.
• Map the locations of buildings and historic sites that are no longer standing, enabling them to be managed as potential archaeological sites.

Responsibilities:

• Ability to conduct historical research and present results in writing.
• GIS and map-reading skills.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork (hiking, carrying a pack, taking digital photographs).

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have a degree in history, archaeology (historic), architectural history, or a closely related field of study that involves conducting historical research and presenting the results in writing (e.g., publication, thesis, research papers, etc.).

• Knowledge and skill in using mapping tools (e.g., topographic maps, historic maps, etc.).
• Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is required (a CUVA GIS Specialist/mentor will be available for questions/assistance).
• Experience using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is desirable for this project.

Interns in this program will receive 800 hours toward Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority. See below for more information about PLC.

Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority (PLC)
The Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority is a special hiring authority available to qualifying interns. The intern must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old, inclusive, or a veteran up to age 35 and complete 640 hours of work on an appropriate conservation project to be eligible for this hiring authority. Upon successful completion of the PLC project(s), the intern is eligible for two years to be hired non-competitively into a federal seasonal, term, or permanent position. The applicant must apply to a PLC-eligible position advertised on USAJobs.gov and selected off a non-competitive certificate of eligibility. For more information, see DOI Personnel Bulletins 11-02 , 12-13, and 17-03.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.