Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park – Interpretation and Education Internship

Northwest Youth Corps
Individual Placement – Interpretation and Education Internship
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park; Seattle, WA

Position Title: Interpretation and Education Internship

Position Summary:
The National Park Service is recruiting one Interpretation and Education Intern for 16 weeks (640 hr) beginning in June or July serving until September or October 2024 to welcome and engage visitors to the Seattle unit of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Weekend availability is a must. The primary tasks of this position will include researching the history of the park and its impact on Seattle’s culture, people, and environment. Additionally, the Intern will develop and offer formal and informal programs to the public about Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.

Overview:

About Northwest Youth Corps (NYC): Northwest Youth Corps was created in 1984 to offer youth and young adults an education-based work experience modeled after the historic Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. Today, we serve over 1,000 youth each year across a four-state region who restore critical habitat, build trails, lead volunteers, educate visitors, and respond to local and national disasters.

About Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park:
This national park was created to preserve sights and trails associated with the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Due to geography and creative marketing, Seattle became known as the “Gateway to the Gold Fields” (located in the Yukon Territory of Canada, and reachable through Alaska) and the city would forever be transformed.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Learn and conduct independent research in the history of Seattle, with particular emphasis on the Klondike Gold Rush and its impact on the city’s people, culture, and environment. Share this knowledge with visitors through formal and informal tours and the development of original publications, webpages, and content for social media. Work will be performed in collaboration with National Park Service rangers. Most of the work is performed inside the Klondike Gold Rush Museum and Visitor Center, but some tours and community events take place outside in a busy urban environment and with exposure to the elements.

Specific activities include:

• Learn and research the history of Seattle, with particular emphasis on the Klondike Gold Rush and its impact on the city’s people, culture, and environment.
• Develop original publications, webpages, and content for social media.
• Represent the National Park Service in community events and meetings with partners.
• Welcome visitors to the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center and Museum.
• Offer formal and informal programs, including tours of the visitor center and the Pioneer Square neighborhood.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to positively represent the National Park Service and work collaboratively with others.
• Ability to talk to the public to provide information and solve problems.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• A willingness to learn.
• A positive attitude.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to work outdoors, travel across uneven terrain, and assist the public in a busy urban environment and with exposure to the elements.
• Academic discipline or area of interest related to this position: history, education, humanities, urban studies, or other similar field(s).
• College coursework in American history.
• Willing and eager to learn about the Klondike Gold Rush.
• Experience in presenting informational or educational talks to the public.

Program Benefits:

• Intern will earn $12,780.80 prorated monthly throughout the 16-Week term of service.
• This position includes paid federal holidays and 32 hours of Paid Leave.

Duty Location:
Duties are primarily performed at the Klondike Gold Rush Visitor Center and Museum. Attendance at special events and meetings may occur throughout Seattle. Interns will report directly to Manager of Visitors Center Operations – Park Ranger Sydney Rometsch.

Terms of Employment:
Intern will complete a 640-hour program June/July through September/October 2024 and work 32-40 hours per week. Weekend availability is a must! Interns will be required to provide their own housing, food, and transportation.

All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.