Job Listing
🔗Cultural Resources Curator/Collections Manager

  • Full Time
  • Fort Polk, Louisiana
  • $50,000 - $60,000 USD / Year
  • November 12, 2025
  • Job Qualifications:

    Minimum Requirements:
    • B.A. in Anthropology, Archaeology, Historic Preservation, Cultural Resources Management, or closely related field
    • Two years of post-graduation cultural resources experience with curation tasks.
    • Demonstrated knowledge of archaeological laboratory methodologies, archaeological curation procedures, and artifact collections management.
    • Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and Adobe Acrobat..

    Preferred Requirements:
    • M.A. in Anthropology, Archaeology, Historic Preservation, Cultural Resources Management, or closely related field.
    • Prior experience in execution of archaeological tasks.
    • Experience in technical reporting.
    • Knowledge of the archaeology of Louisiana or the southeast.
    • Prior experience conducting cultural resource management on military lands.
    • Previous experience being responsible for a Curation Facility in compliance with 36 CFR 79.

  • How to Apply:

    Prospective candidates should apply online through Open Pool at https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/168359.

    Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than November 12, 2025 for full consideration.

Website Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML)

The Curator/Collections Manager will coordinate with the Cultural Resource Manager (CRM) and the Lead Archaeologist (CEMML Supervisor) to ensure program consistency in accordance with Federal regulations.

Duties and responsibilities include the following:

–        Responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Fort Polk Cultural Resources Curation Facility as directed by the CRM.

–        Maintain a facility usage schedule for the Environmental Learning Center Building and for equipment maintenance.

–        Responsible for all artifact processing and laboratory analysis of archaeological artifact collections recovered on Fort Polk lands and ensure that all artifacts and related materials are properly curated in accordance with 36 CFR 79.

–        Assist with execution aspects of the ICRMP activities and projects to include program coordination, fieldwork, and office work in accordance with approved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

–        Actively participate in a number of other CR-related activities such as public outreach and education, equipment upkeep, historical research, ICRMP implementation, oral history recording and compilation, site protection, technical reviewing, Regulatory Compliance assistance, Native American Heritage support.

Duties/Responsibilities include:
• Duties and responsibilities include the following:
• Responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Fort Polk Cultural Resources Curation Facility as directed by the CRM.
• Maintain a facility usage schedule for the Environmental Learning Center Building and for equipment maintenance.
• Responsible for all artifact processing and laboratory analysis of archaeological artifact collections recovered on Fort Polk lands and ensure that all artifacts and related materials are properly curated in accordance with 36 CFR 79.
• Assist with execution aspects of the ICRMP activities and projects to include program coordination, fieldwork, and office work in accordance with approved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
• Actively participate in a number of other CR-related activities such as public outreach and education, equipment upkeep, historical research, ICRMP implementation, oral history recording and compilation, site protection, technical reviewing, Regulatory Compliance assistance, Native American Heritage support.
• Decision making needs for this position include:
In coordination with the CRM, this position is responsible for decisions pertaining to curation activities at Fort Polk.
• Capable of making independent decisions relating to safety while performing job duties (i.e. not going around a live fire barricade, not climbing metal ladder during a lightning storm, wearing personal protective equipment, and adhering to safety protocols).
• Capable of improvising while conducting job duties to prevent delays (i.e. making temporary repairs to equipment with improvised materials and re-prioritizing daily activities in relation to military activities in the field).
• Prioritize project goals and tasks to achieve an annual work plan/schedule

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.

Eligible NCPE interns who successfully complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate. To be eligible to earn a PLC certificate, an intern must be 30 years old or younger (or 35 if a veteran). Once earned, the PLC hiring authority certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal temporary, term, or permanent positions. Successful completion of a NCPE internship does not guarantee Federal employment. Contact manager@preservenet.org for more details.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be
*at least 18 years old;
*no older than 30 years of age (or 35 years if a Veteran) when beginning the internship; applicants who are 31 or older (or 36 or older if a Veteran) are not eligible;
*currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program at the college level (or recently graduated within the past 12 months)
*be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.

Interns are not allowed 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 anytime 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 username 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. A PDF is preferred, labeled Your Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages are preferred. A PDF is preferred but jpg, png, doc, or docx file types are accepted. 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 an application round; there is no limit at other times of the year. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!



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.