Interpretation Member

Interpretation Members – Tule Lake National Monument

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Tule Lake National Monument, is seeking two members to contribute to interpretive projects alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: July 1st, 2024

End Date: November 16th, 2024

*an 20 week minimum commitment is required *

Location: Tule Lake National Monument, CA.

Tule Lake is in remote northeastern California and sits on a dry lakebed in the shadow of the Medicine Lake Shield Volcano. Surrounding the lake is a high desert landscape that converts into a ponderosa pine forest along the south boundary of nearby Lava Beds National Monument.

The Tule Lake National Monument includes both the Tule Lake Segregation Center, the largest and most controversial of the sites where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II, and Camp Tulelake, which was first a Civilian Conservation Corps camp, then an additional facility to detain Japanese Americans, and finally a prisoner of war camp for German and Italian POWs.

Housing will be provided at the Lava Beds located just over 20 miles away from the Tule Lake Visitor Center. A government car will be provided for transportation between housing and the VC. From housing the nearest town is Tulelake, where you can secure fuel and basic grocery necessities. There are three restaurant options either in or near Tulelake. About an hour north you can also access Klamath Falls (this is where you will want to do most of your shopping). You’ll find lots of shopping options for groceries and other basic needs, and well as several restaurant options and entertainment options.

For more information about Tule Lake National Monument, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview:

The intern will primarily be serving at the visitor center and providing interpretive programs at the Segregation Center jail and Camp Tulelake. They serve as the main point of contact for many visitors while staffing the visitor center front desk. At the desk they will be responsible for providing accurate information about the park and surrounding area to visitors. When working at the visitor center they will also assist stocking the bookstore and making sales. Interns will also have time to rove independently and provide informal interpretation through rove contacts and social media posts.

They will support the community by providing education programs to the local and regional school groups and creating and presenting interpretive programs on the history of the Civilian Conservation Crop and Japanese American incarceration during WWII to the visiting public. If there are community outreach events during the internship the intern will assist with those events by creating display and staffing information tables.

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

Schedule: ACE members will typically work 40 hours per week. Work weeks will include weekends and some holidays but will include two back-to-back days off each week.

Position Benefits:

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $500/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 hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility.

Housing:

• ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.
• Housing will be either a shared apartment or house. Both options will include all basic furniture, sofa, dining table and chairs, desk, dresser and a twin bed. The kitchen includes an oven, stove top, microwave, and refrigerator. WiFi is provided.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with 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 required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Due to the remote location of Lava Beds and park housing the intern will need a vehicle to be able to go grocery shopping.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• To learn more about position eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing two years of related course work, work experience or a Bachelor’s degree in related field such as history, communications, environmental studies, environmental education, community/regional planning, recreation management, or cultural resource.
• Attention to detail, organized, and experience working in a team environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Self-starter.
• Ability to think critically and creatively.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of people and collaborate with others (NPS staff and partners) toward a mutual goal.
• Comfort working outside to gather park data information and inside at a desk.
• Experience working with school groups.

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 computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• 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.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, 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.

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.