Historian- Yosemite National Park

The Great Basin Institute, founded at the University of Nevada, Reno in 1998, is a mission-driven non-profit organization headquartered in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. GBI has been a leader in the conservation stewardship field for over two decades, supporting thousands of individuals pursuing a career in public land management or advancing their academic standing. In partnership with Yosemite National Park (YOSE), GBI seeks to hire one Historian.

The NPS is responsible for protecting and managing over 420 individual “units”, including 63 National Parks, 74 National Historic Sites, and other designated areas such as battlefields, monuments, nature preserves, and more.

In cooperation with the National Park Service Yosemite National Park, the Great Basin Institute (GBI) is recruiting a Historian to work cooperatively with National Park Service staff at Yosemite. 

Historian Yosemite National Park

Employer Description:

The Great Basin Institute, founded at the University of Nevada, Reno in 1998, is a mission-driven non-profit organization headquartered in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. GBI has been a leader in the conservation stewardship field for over two decades, supporting thousands of individuals pursuing a career in public land management or advancing their academic standing.  The NPS is responsible for protecting and managing over 420 individual “units”, including 63 National Parks, 74 National Historic Sites, and other designated areas such as battlefields, monuments, nature preserves, and more.

In cooperation with the National Park Service Yosemite National Park, the Great Basin Institute (GBI) is recruiting a Historian Intern to work cooperatively with National Park Service staff at Yosemite.  

Your work will include: 

• Working as a member of an interdisciplinary team on projects related to the inventory, assessment, treatment and maintenance of cultural resources by helping to develop support Determinations of Eligibility and National Register Nominations; and Cultural Landscape Inventories (CLIs) and Cultural Landscape Reports (CLRs).
• Providing Historic Context Statements to support the above reports.
• Investigating the backgrounds and chronology of resources associated with the Park’s pre-European and post European contact.
• Locating and organizing Federal resource documentation required for Park projects to take place.
• Providing support service for project compliance review to better understand Cultural resources that new construction may impact.
• Employing the application of National Register of Historic Places bulletins, guidelines, and criteria as applied to cultural buildings, structures, and landscapes.
• Meeting with park staff to collect research data and conducting research online and at local, state and national archives, as needed.

Contract Timeline:Timeline:

• 32-week appointment

• Full time (40 hours/week)
Location:This position is located in Yosemite National Park, in the high Sierras of central California. Yosemite NP is best known for it’s waterfalls and spectacular peaks like Half Dome and El Capitan in addition to its scenic valleys, giant Sequoias, redwood forests, and grand meadows.
Compensation and Benefits:Salary range of $24 to $29 dollars per hour, depending on education and experience.

Low end: minimum qualification is undergraduate degree in History or related subject, with training in research and writing methods appropriate to the position. Candidate demonstrates ability to learn key systems and adapt to project needs. Works with frequent oversight from supervisor, who sets work plans and provides guidance on individual project needs.

High end: ideal qualification is graduate degree in History or related subject, with training and experience in research and writing methods appropriate to the position. Candidate demonstrates record of completed historic research and writing, with resume and references supporting ability to conduct key tasks independently. Will work with general oversight from supervisor on development of work plan.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost through the Cigna Network with GBI paying for the monthly premiums.
• Paid leave and paid federal holidays

Minimum required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public History or a related field (history, archeology, etc.);
• Experience obtaining and evaluating historical evidence through primary and secondary research sources;
• Skills to provide historic site data research in the field;
• Ability to seek out and compile previous and current copies of all Federal resource documentation required for Park projects to take place;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; with a committed to DEIA guidelines for storytelling;
• Self-motivated and self-directed individual who is capable of working independently or part of a team toward mutual goals and objectives;
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to NPS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application.