The Park Planning Fellow will support the National Park Service (NPS)’s Planning and Compliance Division of the Midwest Region Office (MWRO) in Omaha, Nebraska. Regional planners provide: 1) leadership, supervision, and guidance to the NPS park planning community; 2) leadership, supervision, guidance, and technical assistance during the preparation of planning documents that clarify expectations for the protection of park resources and the future needs for visitor services and facilities; and 3) support for special resource studies on areas that may be included in the National Park System.

The Park Planning Fellow will assist park planning projects to improve national park infrastructure, expand visitor access and opportunities, evaluate potential new park sites authorized by Congress, and engage local communities and organizations in the planning process. This position will help NPS staff and partners build strong relationships through park planning processes, which involve collaboration with multiple disciplines, park stakeholders, and members of the public.

Key responsibilities include conducting historical research and technical writing to advance multiple reconnaissance surveys, special resource studies, and unit management planning efforts.

Primary duties include:

• Conducting background reading and research to better understand the unique history of each area;
• Contributing technical writing to surveys, research, and plans;
• Preparing for and attending meetings;
• Enhancing public outreach, particularly in underserved and tribal communities;
• Preparing public communication materials;
• Providing general project support, such as note-taking, assisting, facilitating, creating agendas, coordinating meetings, and drafting outcomes and summaries of discussions.

Projects the Fellow may support include: the John P. Parker Special Resource Study, the Osawatomie Historic Site Reconnaissance Survey, the First Ladies National Historic Site Foundation Document, the New Philadelphia National Historic Site Foundation Document, and support for ongoing and new resource management strategies. The position is for 30 weeks at 40 hours per week, and is virtual, although the successful candidate may work out of the office in Omaha, Nebraska if that is preferred.

This position is part of the Internship Program administered by the National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE). The program is a partnership between the National Park Service and NCPE. The successful applicants must be 30 years of age or younger (or 35 years or younger if a Veteran) when they begin the internship. Other eligibility requirements apply; visit https://preservenet.org/ncpe-internships/ for details and instructions on how to apply.

Qualified NCPE interns who complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate.  Once earned, the PLC hiring authority certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal temporary, term, or permanent positions. Visit the website listed above for details about this benefit. Successful completion of the internship does not guarantee Federal employment.