Come join our staff at White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico! White Sands protects the world’s largest gypsum dunefield and surrounding desert environment. You will be instrumental in developing new interpretive products on paleontology and archeology-based resources recently discovered at White Sands including the largest collection of ice age human and animal fossilized footprints in the world that date back between 21,000 to 23,000 years ago. You will be developing and presenting new interpretive programs and creating a digital based interpretive tour for the NPS Mobile App as well as other digital media products. These programs and products will explore emerging research, which fundamentally changes the story of the first humans in the America and tells us more about the lives and behaviors of ice age humans and megafauna. While the main focus of the internship is to develop paleontology and archeology-based programs and products, you also will also be an integral member of the interpretive team and given the opportunity to develop the skills of an Interpretive Park Ranger. You will do this by staffing the visitor center, designing and presenting short formal interpretive programs, and providing roving (hiking) interpretation on topics ranging from geology, paleontology, and archeology to the plants and wildlife of the park. This professional experience might lead to future career opportunities with the National Park Service and/or other federal land management agencies.
Duties Include:
-Staff visitor center and initiate sales on Western National Park Association register (20%).
-Develop and present formal interpretive programs (30%).
-Provide roving interpretation on topics ranging from gypsum sand to wildlife (10%).
-Development of archeology and paleontology based interpretive programs and tours to be added to the White Sands app (40%).
Staffing the visitor center is limited to one individual however, multiple staff members will be on site at one time. The work week will be 5 days, 8 hours per day, and will include evening and weekend work. Conditions often require working outside in hot, windy, dry weather and long periods of standing each day. This position is ideal for outgoing individuals or those looking to obtain the skills needed for a career in the visitor services sector.
Compensation amounts:
$1,100 – one time RT travel allowance
$300 – weekly living allowance
$1000- housing allowance
$25 – weekly commuting allowance
*All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes
*This position is NOT eligible for an AmeriCorps education award
Position ID: PO-00735435
Expected Dates: July 17, 2023 - July 14, 2024
Location:
19955 Highway 70 West
Alamogordo, NM 88310
US
Training Provided: Two weeks of preparatory training including: safety topics, CPR/First Aid, interpretive program development, natural resource training, and visitor center operations.
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: The Lincoln National Forest provides many opportunities for hiking, biking, and even snow activities in the winter. There are typically many events that happen locally including movies at the zoo, parades, and rodeo.
Main Area of Focus: Education and Interpretation
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Not Eligible
Driving Logistics: Required
Nearest communities to the park are between a fifteen minute and one hour drive away.
Housing or Stipend Provided?
C.Partner will pay the SCA to provide housing allowance for the member.
Indoor/Outdoor: Combination
US Citizenship: Yes