Museum Collections Internship with California State Parks

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nationwide Non-Profit Conservation Corps in partnership with California State Parks, is seeking one Museum Collections Member to assist Ocotillo Wells District (OWD) staff with inventory of collections at three park units for 12 weeks.

Start Date: May 2024

End Date: July 2024

Location: Ocotillo Wells District 5172 Highway 78 #10, Borrego Springs CA 92004 with travel to Salton Sea State Recreation Area (SRA), Picacho SRA, and Indio Hills Palms (an unclassified property).

Project Website: For more information about California State Parks, please visit https://www.parks.ca.gov

For more information regarding the ACE EPIC Program, please visit: www.usaconservation.org

Living Allowance: The member should anticipate serving 32-40 hrs/wk and will receive a living allowance of $650/wk for food and incidentals, dispersed bi-weekly.

Position Description:

Under direction from the Senior Environmental Scientist, the ACE Museum Collections Member will assist OWD cultural resources staff with inventorying and documenting cultural resources and historic items at two park units within the district.

For the project the ACE member will perform the following tasks:

• Inventory, catalog, photograph, and enter cultural resources into the collections database (The Museum System – TMS).
• Utilize archival materials to store cultural resources and historic documents.
• Reconciliation of items already in TMS.
• Sort, file, scan and enter historic documents into TMS.
• Organize and clean storage space.
• Other collections related work as assigned

Training in handling a variety of object mediums and use of TMS database will be provided.

Qualifications: Applicants for this position should hold a bachelor’s degree in museum studies, anthropology, archaeology or a related field. Careers within California State Parks normally allow three months of professional, paid museum collections management work as a substitute for one year of education, with a maximum substitution of two years education (6 months professional work). Placement in this position could be flexible for the right individual with a combination of education and museum experience.

Required:

• Must have strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.
• Detail-oriented
• Must be physically able to lift heavy objects (up to 40lbs.)
• Proficiency with computer software
• Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals within the Department of Parks and Recreation.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to perform essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Proven ability to be both self-directed/work alone and be a positive contributing member of a group.
• Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request

Preferred:

• Classroom, volunteer, or work experience in entry-level cultural collections processing
• Knowledge of California State Parks general operations.
• Ability and willingness to be flexible and independent.
• Ability to accomplish tasks well independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills.

The member must be willing to represent ACE and State Parks in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.