Job Listing
🔗West Texas Heritage Center Associate

  • Part Time
  • El Paso, TX
  • $15.00/- USD / Hour
  • September 11, 2026
  • Job Summary: Part-time, hourly position that supports daily operations, assists with programs and exhibit preparation, and provides visitor engagement at the West Texas Heritage Center at 201 E. San Antonio Street in El Paso.
  • Job Qualifications:
    • Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.
    • Familiarity with El Paso County and West Texas history, culture, and geography.
    • Strong customer service and communication skills.
    • Ability to assist with event coordination, walking tours, and exhibit setup.
    • Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
    • Basic computer skills for record-keeping and correspondence.
    • Ability to lift and carry materials for events, exhibits, and retail stocking.

    Preferred Experience:

    • Previous experience in museums, visitor centers, tourism, or customer service.
    • Experience with educational or public programs.
    • Familiarity with heritage tourism partnerships and community engagement.
    • Retail sales or inventory management experience.
  • How to Apply:

    Please email a single PDF containing your resume, two professional references, and a cover letter addressed to Stephen Siwinski, West Texas Heritage Center Director, to stephen@preservationtexas.org. No telephone inquiries. Only selected applicants will be contacted for an interview.

    Deadline to apply is Friday, September 11th at 5:00 PM MST.  We encourage early applications, as we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the stated deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.

  • Contact Name: Stephen Siwinski
  • Application Email: stephen@preservationtexas.org

Website Preservation Texas

Founded in 1985, Preservation Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Texans to preserve their cultural heritage, and stewards significant buildings, collections, and cultural landscapes to ensure their permanent protection.

Under the direction of the West Texas Heritage Center Director, the Heritage Center Associate is a part-time, hourly position that supports daily operations, assists with programs and exhibit preparation, and provides visitor engagement at the West Texas Heritage Center at 201 E. San Antonio Street in El Paso. This role requires familiarity with El Paso County and the broader West Texas region to effectively share its history and significance. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is required to engage with diverse audiences.

Essential Job Functions:

  • Greet visitors, provide information, and answer inquiries about the Heritage Center and regional history.
  • Assist with the planning, setup, and execution of programs, events, and educational activities.
  • Support exhibit preparation and maintenance.
  • Maintain and organize informational materials and Heritage Center resources.
  • Assist in building relationships with El Paso and West Texas heritage tourism sites, vendors, and hotels to enhance visitor experience and increasing awareness of El Paso County’s heritage tourism opportunities.
  • Help coordinate walking tours and related heritage tourism programs.
  • Assist with retail sales, including stocking inventory, processing transactions, and reconciling daily sales.
  • Track visitor statistics and assist with reports.
  • Help with basic administrative and clerical tasks as needed.
  • Ensure the Heritage Center remains clean and welcoming for visitors.
  • Communicate effectively in both English and Spanish with visitors, partners, and community members.
  • Work a flexible schedule that may include weekends and evenings based on events and seasonal needs.

On average, the employee will work five days per week. Weekly hours may vary depending on seasonal demand and special events. The hourly wage starts at $15.00 or is commensurate with experience.

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.