Job Listing
🔗NPS Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellow: Exploring Indigenous Artistic Responses to Black Hills and Destination Tourism
American Conservation Experience
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.
Project-Based Research: There is bountiful scholarship on Indigenous connections, histories, and continuing significance of the Black Hills of South Dakota to Indigenous peoples. There has, however, been little in-depth work done around the topic of Indigenous tourism from the vantage point of Indigenous artists, culture bearers, and organizations dedicated to sharing Indigenous culture through tourism. During year one, the Fellow will conduct original research on the topic, including meeting with external and internal institutional partners within the tourism industry of South Dakota. A critical piece of this research will be working with Indigenous partners who provide a variety of tourism services and cater largely to a non-Native audience. These relationships will shape and inform the direction for research in year two, wherein the Fellow will consult with the mentorship team, as well as other subject matter experts as needed, to propose a project for their second year. Additional research opportunities exist through access to the park museum collection, local museums and historical centers, ethnobotany herbariums, and community elders.
Sharing Research Results: The research conducted by the Fellow involves collaboration with numerous teams, individuals, and organizations. The Fellow will join park staff in attending South Dakota 250th Committee meetings, tourism meetings with Black Hills and Badlands Tourism Association, regular events hosted by the South Dakota Department of Tourism (including the annual Tourism Conference in Pierre, South Dakota), and regular interaction with projects and campaigns initiated by the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance. Research results will be compiled into a summary of findings that will be added to the park archives, staff library, and incorporated into training for frontline staff.
These partnerships will provide the Fellow with necessary subject-matter expertise on the organizations, individuals, and initiatives that inform and shape tourism to the Black Hills. The Fellow will be invited to present research at the Public Lands Alliance Conference, the South Dakota Tourism Conference, and the National Association for Interpretation Conference. The Fellow will also share research results with local National Park Service units through webinars, presentations, and written resources.
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.
Interpretive and Educational Products: To ensure that the Fellow is able to impact interpretive programming and products throughout this project, an interdisciplinary team will be formed comprising managerial and frontline leadership of the Interpretation & Education Program. This team will meet regularly to discuss strategies for incorporating the Fellow’s research into interpretive programming, digital interpretive products, and promotional material. Some potential products are:
- Podcasts;
- Content on NPS.gov and Social Media;
- Interpretive Training Modules;
- Lesson Plans;
- Exhibit design, including pop-up exhibits within the park;
- Developing interpretive programming.
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 work addresses Indigenous histories of the region.
Essential Responsibilities and Tasks:
- Conduct original research into the history of tourism in the Black Hills and its impacts on Indigenous culture. Special attention and focus should be paid to the way that Indigenous artists and organizations found ways to benefit and participate in this economy and the way this involvement evolved through to present day.
- Create annotated bibliography and summary report of resources on Indigenous tourism, with a special focus on destination tourism to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
- Partner with Interpretation & Education lead interpreters to develop interpretive products and training modules for incorporation into seasonal training.
- Assist park staff in expanding culture bearer programming, including recommendations for effective signage and strategic communications.
- Present research at significant partner events, tourism conferences, and regional NPS meetings.
- Attending university-level lectures and presenting as a guest lecturer to a university-level audience.
- Working with Indigenous community members living on and off reservations (rural and urban).
- Conducting one-on-one interviews and oral histories.
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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.