Job Listing
 🔗Historian (NPS Death Valley)

  • Full Time
  • Death Valley, CA
  • $32.50/- USD / Hour
  • April 20, 2026
  • Department: Cultural Resources Program
  • Job Summary: The Great Basin Institute is hiring one (1) Historian to work under the guidance and mentorship of Death Valley National Park (DEVA) Cultural Resources staff to write well-researched historical reports of mining sites in DEVA.
  • Job Qualifications:

    Required:

    • Bachelor’s degree in Public History or a related field (history, archeology, etc.);
    • Solid understanding of National Register guidance and its application in evaluating historic structures;
    • Experience obtaining and evaluating historical evidence through primary and secondary sources;
    • Experience synthesizing historical evidence to draw logical conclusions, especially as it relates to NRHP guidance;
    • Ability to camp for multiple days, with or without accommodation;
    • Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; and
    • Self-motivated and self-directed individual who is capable of working independently and as part of a team toward mutual goals and objectives.

    Preferred:

    • A Master’s degree in architectural history or a related cultural resources-focused field;
    • Experience completing NRHP nominations or similarly evaluating the significance and integrity of historic structures;
    • Experience conducting in-depth field assessments, with or without assistance;
    • Experience with geodatabases and mapping software such as ArcGIS or QGIS.
  • How to Apply:

    Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three professional references.  Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. For questions regarding this position, please contact isengupta@gbinstitute.org

    Apply HERE

  • Job benefits: Wage: $32.50 per hour (no overtime) Premiums 100% GBI-paid: comprehensive medical, dental (with an optional coverage upgrade), visual insurance, and a $25,000 Life/AD&D policy; Enrollment eligibility begins the first day of the month following the first day of service. 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match; Paid Leave Benefit: Paid Time Off accrued at 4.61 hours per 80-hour pay period starting on the first day of employment; Paid holidays (12 per year); Shared housing may be provided.
  • Physical Demands / Work Environment: This physically demanding work, often in remote locations, will provide crew members with rewarding exposure to some of America's backcountry landscapes. These positions require extensive hiking in sometimes steep terrain at altitudes ranging from 750 - 10,000 ft AMSL. Archaeology crew members will be expected to carry their own personal gear and water on a daily basis, possibly during extreme or inclement weather conditions such as heat, snow, or rain. Work schedules, generally four 10-hour days with 3 days off each week, are subject to change depending on weather and project needs. Camping near a work site for several days may be required to meet project objectives. Archaeology crew members must be able to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, camp in the backcountry for consecutive days, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry a heavy pack in excess of 40lbs, and be in overall good physical condition. Prior experience working in similar backcountry settings is preferred.
  • Contact Name: Isabelle Sengupta
  • Application Email: isengupta@gbinstitute.org
  • Application URL: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/A1ADEF5691B02D64E998539442696918/jobs/352806
  • Application Address: 16750 Mt Rose Hwy Reno, NV 89511

Website The Great Basin Institute

The Great Basin Institute is an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and service throughout the West. Founded in 1998 at the University of Nevada, GBI advances applied research to support science-based adaptive management of public lands. The Institute is dedicated to the promotion of science through field studies programs, conservation practices, and public outreach.

The Great Basin Institute is hiring one (1) Historian to work under the guidance and mentorship of Death Valley National Park (DEVA) Cultural Resources staff to write well-researched historical reports of mining sites in DEVA. Through this immersive experience, the Project Historian will assist DEVA in protecting its valuable resources by researching, documenting, and assessing the integrity of historic mining landscapes throughout the park.

The Project Historian will join a team of archeologists to conduct field surveys of select mining landscapes in the park, which will include some opportunities to camp overnight on site. The Project Historian will be expected to assess the resources in the field and conduct archival research to develop a robust history of the mining landscapes. Each mining landscape will be described and evaluated under the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Criteria for Eligibility. Through this contract, the Project Historian will gain experience working on federal heritage documentation and, in partnership with the National Park Service, will work to protect and preserve cultural resources for present and future generations.

Essential Job Functions may include the following:

  • Conducting field surveys of mining landscapes within the boundaries of DEVA, some of which may require overnight camping in remote areas of the park.
  • Documenting cultural resources in the park through primary and secondary source research. This will include determining the period of significance, associated features on the landscape, and summarizing the history of the landscapes within their historical contexts.
  • Evaluate cultural resources according to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Criteria of Eligibility and provide thorough justifications for evaluations. This will include evaluating the integrity of the landscape and making professional recommendations on the eligibility of the cultural resources.
  • Work collaboratively with park staff to review and edit evaluations. When each evaluation is complete, the final version will be submitted in a format ready for review by Park Management and the California State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
    Location:

Death Valley National Park is located in Nevada and California and boasts some of the hottest and driest climates, and lowest elevation in North America. The park includes a superlative desert of streaming sand dunes, snow-capped mountains, multicolored rock layers, water-fluted canyons and three million acres of wilderness. Death Valley is home to the Timbisha Shoshone people and to plants and animals unique to the harshest desert environment. The closest cities are Pahrump and Beatty, Nevada (both approximately 1 hour away). Las Vegas is a little over 2 hours away.

The Cultural Resource Program works closely with the local tribe and there will be opportunities for the selected candidate to participate in tribal consultation meetings.

Field conditions include hot, arid days with high exposure to the sun, as well as cold, winter weather. Resources of the region include threatened and/or endangered species habitat, big game habitats, abandoned mine lands, and historic and prehistoric cultural sites

Project Timeline:

Desired start date in late January of 2026
Full time, average 40 hours per week.
This project is expected to last for approximately 51 weeks, with the potential to extend, beginning in early January, pending the completion of a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI).

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.