Job Listing
🔗NPS Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellow: Including All Women in the Sequel at Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument
American Conservation Experience
This Fellowship is placed with the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument (BEPA), a unit of the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, DC. Established by Presidential Proclamation 9423 on April 12, 2016, in the historic Capitol Hill headquarters of the National Woman’s Party (NWP), BEPA interprets the story of the NWP as “a leading advocate of women’s political, social, and economic equality.” The NWP’s museum collection of artwork, textiles, furniture, and other artifacts were transferred to NPS in 2020, just prior to the organization’s dissolution.
The Fellow will work with the museum curator to research objects in the recently acquired National Woman’s Party collection to establish provenance and significance. Using this research, the Fellow will collaborate with interpreters to plan a redesign of the museum exhibits, using items from the collection to create an interpretive space that invites visitors to engage with complex, nuanced stories about the fight for woman suffrage and the ongoing struggle for social, political, and economic equality. The Fellow’s research will be crucial in shaping the interpretation of the long women’s equality movement, a foundational story of American history not captured in any other place within the NPS system.
Each NPS Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellow will complete work in four areas. Fellows will (1) perform project-based research; (2) share research results; (3) produce and substantially contribute to interpretive and educational products; and (4) pursue career-focused work.
1) Project-Based Research: When the NWP transferred its collection of three-dimensional items to NPS, the remainder of the NWP paper archives and documents were transferred to the Library of Congress (LOC). The Fellow will have the opportunity to research these collections and develop scholarship from both the NPS and LOC collections, which have previously been largely untapped in the literature. As part of working with the collection, the Fellow will assist the Cultural Resources staff to resolve questions about the collection by researching the provenance and significance of objects, especially those with ambiguous origins. The fellow will also be introduced to scholars and other professionals who are also working with BEPA to tell a fuller story of the NWP and their legacy.
In year two, the Fellow will consult with their mentorship team, as well as other subject matter experts as needed, to propose a project for their second year.
2) Sharing Research Results: The Fellow will collaborate with their support team to share the results of their applied research with their hosts, cohort, Fellowship project team, the larger community of NPS staff and partners, and ultimately to visitors and community partners. The Fellow will have the opportunity to develop public presentations at several venues, including BEPA, the Library of Congress, and the Alice Paul Institute. This research will be shared on various platforms, including webinars, educational and interpretive content on NPS.gov and in-person sessions.
The Fellow will be expected to develop and sustain connections with program-provided mentors and host staff, associated NPS staff, members of their Fellowship cohort, and other Fellows across the tenure of the program. In addition to being provided mentorship and support themselves, the Fellow will have the opportunity to mentor others and to enrich staff knowledge by organizing events such as virtual speaker series and presentations. Twice a year, the Fellow will participate with their cohort and other Fellows in a virtual conference for NPS staff and partners to provide updates about their research. The Fellow will be responsible for tracking and reporting accomplishments and for supplying copies of interpretive, educational, and research products to their host and to the National Coordinator.
3) Interpretive and Educational Products: The Fellow’s research will be instrumental in informing the redesign of museum exhibits and educational offerings at BEPA. The current exhibits do not contextualize the NWP within the larger women’s equality movement or the long struggle for civil rights. They highlight a few “heroic” women without acknowledging the influence of other social movements or organizations. Interpretation of race and class tensions are absent from the exhibits, as are the stories of the many Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latina, and other women of color who have been instrumental in the struggle for equality. There is also currently no interpretive content about LGBTQ issues. The museum exhibits do not include any acknowledgement that the NWP’s exclusively white leadership was often narrow-minded, bigoted, and exclusionary. Throughout the project, the Fellow will have the opportunity to create smaller-scale interpretive products, such as wayside exhibit panels to engage pedestrians and temporary exhibits in the library. Depending on the direction of research, the Fellow may also choose to design curriculum-based activities for K-12 or college student visitors, scout programs, videos, and outdoor programming to expand interpretation to the garden space.
4) Career-focused Research and Products: In consultation with their mentors, the Fellow will carry out a career-centered project. About 20 percent of the Fellowship will be dedicated to this scholarly work that advances the Fellow’s career path. The Fellow will be supported by a multidisciplinary team that draws on local, regional, and agency-wide expertise. In addition to NPS staff, the Fellow will also have an external mentor whose expertise includes the history and practice of public humanities.
Essential Responsibilities and Tasks:
- Conduct original research into the history of the National Woman’s Party in the context of the long women’s equality movement; synthesize existing research to share with NPS and partner sites
- Collaborate with museum curator and Cultural Resources staff to resolve collection data gaps by researching the provenance and significance of objects, especially those with ambiguous origins.
- As cataloging improves, work with NPS and partner staff to enhance exhibits, design wayside interpretive panels, inform visitor interactions, and reinterpret traditional narratives. Using research, make recommendations regarding exhibit redesign. Design and/or provide training and guidance for interpretation and education staff.
- Assist with coordination of virtual and/or in-person programs to share research findings from this and other Mellon Humanities Fellowships with NPS staff, partner sites, and the public.
-
NCPE Internships: Eligibility & How to Apply
Benefits
All NCPE interns received an hourly stipend, the rate is listed at each position description. Additionally, interns receive paid time off (PTO), paid Federal holidays if working full-time, and access to NCPE's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for career and personal counseling, coaching, and referrals. Project sites may also offer a housing allowance and/or commuting stipend; this information is also listed in the description or offered during the interview.
As an organization operating under Public Land Corps Act (PLC) authority, many NCPE positions qualify the intern for Federal Hiring Preference if (1) they complete a minimum of 640 hours at one or more qualifying conservation project(s); (2) are between the ages of 16 and 30 years (35 if a veteran); and (3) apply for a Federal position at USAJOBS with PLC noted in the announcement within two years of completing the internship. Find out more about this hiring preference during the interview or contact manager@preservenet.org for details.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program or recently graduated (within the past 12 months) and be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. Interns are not eligible to work more than 1200 hours total in the program; previous interns must stay within this overall limit. The length of an internship can vary from 10 to 30 weeks if full time (40 hours per week) or longer if on a part-time schedule. If selected, the exact starting date will be determined by you and the NPS supervisor. The stipend rate is $17.00 per hour unless otherwise listed.
The successful candidate is responsible for finding and paying for travel to and housing at the internship location; some exceptions apply. The supervising office may be able to assist in locating housing but it is ultimately up to the individual accepting the internship to find accommodation.
The National Council requires all interns working in-person at Federal facilities and/or with Federal employees receive the Covid-19 vaccination. Please be advised that you may also be required to wear a mask, depending on the protocols adopted by your work site. Also be aware that, due to Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required if you are selected for a position. This will include providing information about recent housing and employment history. The position supervisor will have more information about these requirements and procedures at the time of hiring. You may direct any questions to NCPE's Internship Program Director, Julee Johnson, at manager@preservenet.org.
Please note that interns are not NCPE or NPS employees. Stipends are academic awards and taxes are not withheld, nor are social security contributions made on your behalf. These funds may be taxable, however, so consult a tax preparation professional if you have questions.
How to Apply
You may review NCPE's internship opportunities during the Summer and Winter application rounds without registering. Use the search function to find listings by location, keyword, or area of interest/category. Once you identify one or more positions of interest, there is a 3-step application process.
Step 1: Click on the Apply for Job button, then select Universal Application. Click on Register to create a User Account, which requires a username and email. A link will be sent to you from manager@preservenet.org to create a password. We suggest that you add this email to your safe senders list so you don't miss receiving this important link. You will be instructed to Log In to Preservenet using your user name or email and password, which will take you back to the Universal Application.
Step 2: The Universal Application is required to apply for all NCPE internships. You fill out this form only once. In addition to contact information, educational status, work history, and experience, it requires two attachments: (1) the 2 most recent years of academic transcripts. These may be unofficial transcripts if official versions are unavailable. PDF only, labeled Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages preferred. May be .doc, .docx or PDF. Label Your Last Name_Your First Name_Resume. This form may be saved as a draft and completed later. Use the link provided to return to the form.
Step 3: Once you submit the Universal Application, you may browse and apply for NCPE internships using the link provided. Complete the application process by clicking on the Apply for job button found at each internship listing and upload the required Essay. Use the essay to explain why you are applying for an internship, including how your interest areas will benefit the National Park Service (NPS) and how the internship will further your studies and career goals. Be as specific as possible; there is a 400-word maximum length. Submit the essay to finish the application for that position. You may apply for a maximum of 6 internships during this application round. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
Once the deadline for submission has passed, NPS supervisors will review the applications and may contact candidates for a phone interview. Candidates who are not selected will be notified. Please allow about 4 weeks after the deadline before inquiring about the status of your application.
Quick Tips on How to Apply
#1 If you feel you need to bolster your resume or expand your knowledge base in a certain area, consider offering research assistance to an authority at your university and/or design a 1-credit reading course with an eminent scholar or practitioner.
#2 "Experience" is more than paid work. It is any activity that gives you the knowledge and ability to do something well. So include in the Universal Application all relevant research projects, academic extracurricular activities, and volunteer interests to show your initiative, leadership, and competency.
#3 Proofread everything. The qualification most sought after for any job or internship is strong communication skills so start off on the right foot with no spelling or grammatical errors in your application.
Logging in with a Registered User Account and completing the Universal Application is required to apply for NCPE Internships. Please visit the Universal Application page to register for an account and complete the form. After logging in and completing the form, refreshing this listing will display the Job Application to apply online.