Interpretation Intern​ – C&O Canal National Historical Park

Location: C&O Canal National Historical Park, Williamsport, MD 

Dates: 26-week term starting in May, with a flexible start date 

Positions Available: 4 Internships  

Pay: $650/week ($400/stipend + $250/housing allowance) paid bi-weekly  

Status: This is a full-time, temporary, 900-hour AmeriCorps national service position. 

Contact: ​Questions? Email ACCRecruiting@conservationlegacy.org​ 

Please submit a resume and cover letter via our website, www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements. Applications will be accepted until March 8th, 2024. 

Appalachian Conservation Corps:  

Our Individual Placement program works to connect young people to conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation organizations.

Individual Placements gain hands-on experience at their placement site, and ACC supports them through their term, as well as provides a variety of benefits to help them succeed in achieving their career goals. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.  

Position Details   

In partnership with the National Park Service, we are seeking an intern who will work with the Division of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers at the C&O Canal National Historical Park. These positions are based out of the park’s new Headquarters in Williamsport, MD, and the interns will have an opportunity to work across the 184.5 miles of the park with a primary focus in western Maryland. 

The C&O Canal NHP welcomes an estimated 5 million visitors a year. The interns will support park staff and volunteers providing in-person interpretation and customer service efforts during the “peak season” at the park.  

The intern will promote a closer relationship between the park and the large visitor community through a wide variety of interpretive and visitor use engagement methods. This includes staffing an outdoor contact station, informal roving in areas of the park with high potential for visitor contact, and through popular formal programming. The intern’s job responsibilities will increase visitor understanding of the organization’s mission which in turn ensures environmental protection of the park’s unique cultural and natural resources. Responsibilities include but aren’t limited to: 

• Work within the Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers division to interpretation and customer service.
• Assist interpretive staff and volunteers at the parks visitor center and outdoor pop-up programs
• Conduct informational/educational-related visitor contacts and site inspections through a variety of methods.
• Research, develop and present formal interpretive talks that have a beneficial effect on visitor understanding and appreciation of the park.
• Conduct tours on the park’s replica historic boat. Be able to operate the boat safely and efficiently.

This opportunity is meant to provide knowledge and experience that allow for future success in the field.  The interns will gain skills in 21st Century Interpretation, include ACE techniques; customer service; as well as training in safety, diversity, and career-building within the Federal government. 

Benefits:  

• $650/week ($400/stipend + $250/housing allowance) paid bi-weekly
• Segal Education award of $3,447.50 to be used towards future education or student loans at completion of term
• $435 for professional development
• Option to enroll in free health, vision and dental insurance
• Discounted outdoor gear through Outdoor Prolink
• Member Assistance Program– 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist
• Non-competitive hiring eligibility through the PLCHA when applying for federal jobs
• Professional Development opportunities

General Qualifications: 

To qualify, you must be between the ages of 21 and 30, and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award. 

• Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Basic computer skills
• Communication skills

How to Apply: 

In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Applications are only accepted through our website, www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements. 

Our Promise: 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer.  We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

 Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.