Visitor Use/Curatorial Assistant Internship
Gazing across the horizon from the peaks of Shenandoah National Park it’s hard to believe you are just 75 miles from the bustle of our nation’s capital. Take Skyline Drive along the crest of the mountains through the woods and past spectacular vistas. Hike in the shade of oak trees along the Appalachian Trail, discover the stories from Shenandoah’s past, or just relax in the wonder of wilderness. You will be stationed at the Creel Cabin located within the Rapidan Camp. Rapidan Camp is a National Historic Landmark located in the Park. President Hoover’s retreat at the headwaters of the Rapidan River is a tremendous historical resource. The Rapidan Camp is about 2,500 feet above sea level in a remote rustic location east of the Skyline Drive. Access to the site is via a graded road five (5) miles from Skyline Drive and by foot 2.1 miles via the Mill Prong trail. The Byrd Visitor Center is the closest NPS area. It takes 20 to 30 minutes to drive between these two locations.
This is a wooded area which can contain bears, snakes and other wildlife. Snakes are protected species.
Assist the Cultural Resource staff in maintaining the permanent exhibit and historic furnishings at the Rapidan Camp; perform routine museum preservation of historic structures and furnishings; clean Brown House and Prime Ministers House weekly including dusting and vacuuming; carry out routine landscape tasks including string trimming, raking of walkways and gutter cleaning; monitor and remove specific invasive and exotic plants; perform vermin control of historic structures through inspections, cleaning of waste and removal of dead vermin; open the Prime Ministers Cabin for visitor tours; present tours of the Presidents House as directed; assist visitors with questions concerning park resources and interpretive programs; present information to visitors about Rapidan Camp, the site of President Hoover Summer White House and Fishing Camp; conduct informal tours at during the day which may be limited to the outside of the historic buildings; assist with a Ranger-lead scheduled Van Tour originating from the Byrd Visitor Center; count, record and report the number of hikers and horseback riders to Rapidan Camp from both the Skyline Drive and park boundary; provide light cleaning of the vault toilet; other duties may be assigned as mutually agreed upon.The position requires sensitivity to the natural and cultural resources in the area. There will be two weekdays off every week.
