Minidoka National Historic Site – Interpretation, Education, and Facilities Management Internship

Interpretation, Education, and Facilities Management Internship

Idaho Conservation Corps – Minidoka National Historic Site

National Park Service

Individual Placement

Jerome, Idaho

Position Summary: The National Park Service is recruiting for two 16-week (640 Hours) summer interns at Minidoka National Historic Site (MIIN). The members will serve jointly with the Interpretation and Education division and the Facilities and Management division. The purpose of this position is to supplement the permanent Interpretation, Education, and Facilities Management workforce by assisting in managing the visitor center, welcoming visitors, maintaining facilities, and inviting public engagement with difficult histories.

Northwest Youth Corps (NYC):

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

Minidoka National Historic Site (MIIN):

During World War II, approximately 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated without due process of law. Although little remains of the barbed-wire fences and tar-papered barracks, the Minidoka concentration camp once held over 13,000 Japanese Americans in the Idaho desert. Established in 2001, Minidoka National Historic Site preserves their legacy and teaches the importance of civil liberties. More information at www.nps.gov/miin

Duties and Responsibilities: Major duties are related to learning and working alongside personnel in Interpretation and Education (80%) and Facilities Management (20%) divisions at Minidoka National Historic Site in Jerome, Idaho. The intern will communicate with the public about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII; staff the visitor center; maintain trails and facilities; and provide information about MIIN and the National Park Service including recreational opportunities and park regulations. 

Specific activities include: 

• Staffing visitor center front desk. Tasks include visitor services, gift shop duties, cleaning of visitor center.
• Researching and preserving the natural and cultural resources of MIIN.
• Roving trails, contacting visitors, and build skills to provide guided tours to visitors.
• Conducting routine site custodial and maintenance work.
• Developing and collaborating on a digital media project with an intern cohort.

Required Qualifications: 

• Ability to work outdoors, hike, and assist the public in remote settings and inclement weather on uneven ground.
• Ability to give direction and talk to the public.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• A positive attitude and cultural competency to interpret difficult and traumatic histories.

Desired Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of US History or College level coursework in the humanities or English.
• Experience in presenting informational or educational talks to the public.
• Basic understanding of cleaning and grounds maintenance.
• Attention to details, time management skills, and ability to work independently; self-motivated to complete tasks and problem solve.

Duty Location: 

Duties are performed at Minidoka National Historic Site in Jerome, ID. Interns will be required to make their own housing arrangements in the local southern Idaho area. Housing reimbursement may be available upon request.

Terms of Employment: 

• Intern will complete the 16-week program from the mid-May to early September. The member will average 40 hours of labor per week, minus holidays.
• The internship schedule will be Thursday through Monday (9a-5p). Friday, Saturday, and Sunday availability is a must – July 4th weekend will be a mandatory work weekend.
• The intern will use computer programs such as word processing software to complete tasks. Laptop will not be provided.
• Interns are responsible for providing their own housing and food. Personal transportation needed.

Program Benefits:

• $8960 total living allowance, prorated monthly.
• While housing is not provided, housing fund may be available upon request.