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Collections Management Member - Shenandoah National Park - AmeriCorps Eligible

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with The National Park Service, is seeking ONE Collections Management Member at Shenandoah National Park. The ACE Member will assist the Museum Specialist with management of the park museum collections at the storage repository (Archives Building), Byrd Visitor Center, and two historic house museums Rapidan Camp, the site of President Herbert Hoover's Summer White House and Fishing Camp, and Massanutten Lodge (part of a late 1800s resort at Skyland).

Find full position and apply here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/566303.html

Start Date: July 12, 2021
End Date: December 24, 2021
*An 24-week minimum commitment is required*

Location: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park contains nearly 197,000 forested acres along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia. The Park's backcountry of steep rugged terrain contains over 500 miles of trails, including 95 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and nearly 80,000 acres of federally designated wilderness. Skyline Drive, the famous scenic tour road through the Park, follows the ridge crest for 105 miles and connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Nearly 1.5 million people visit the Park each year to enjoy views from the Skyline Drive, hike trails, rock climb, enjoy nature study, camp, or stay overnight in one of the Park's rustic lodges or backcountry cabins. The Park supports approximately 1400 vascular plant species, numerous state-rare plant species, and a variety of forest community types. The mountain streams are inhabited by 40 species of fishes, over 230 taxa of aquatic invertebrates.

Project Website: For more information regarding Shenandoah National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: www.nps.gov/shen.
For more information on American Conservation Experience, please visit: http://www.usaconservation.org/.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $190/week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. A $600 travel allowance will be distributed evenly throughout the term to aid in the costs of relocation.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in housing provided by the park at no cost for the duration of the term.
Housing consists of several homes with double occupancy bedrooms. Housing will most likely be in Luray, VA or within 20 miles. If housing is located further than 10 miles from Luray, VA, a government vehicle is intended to be provided for transportation to and from work site. If one is not available, there will be a travel allowance provided. Luray, VA is 5 miles from Park Headquarters and has all of the standard amenities (Grocery stores, movie theater, shops, restaurants, library etc.). Laundry facilities are also available at park housing locations.
Cell phone reception is not always reliable. A personal vehicle is required for transportation related to personal needs (e.g., food shopping). The site is remote and there is no reliable public transportation. Members will have use of a government vehicle for work related travel.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($3,097.50) upon successful completion of membership service hours. Additional enrollment is required.

Scheduling: ~8 hour days Monday through Friday service days should be anticipated.

Position Description: This position will provide a broad exposure to museum collections encompassing cultural and natural collection material. The member will be assisting with the management of park museum collections at the storage repository (Archives Building), Byrd Visitor Center, and two historic house museums Rapidan Camp, the site of President Herbert Hoover's Summer White House and Fishing Camp, and Massanutten Lodge (part of a late 1800s resort at Skyland). Duties include:
  • Performing routine museum preservation of stored museum objects, historic structures and furnishings
  • Preservation of housing of museum objects
  • Museum documentation cataloging (emphasis on natural history collections) using DOI Museum Collections Software (ICMS), inventory, record photography, and scanning and image editing
  • Environmental monitoring including temperature and humidity, light readings, and integrated pest management
  • Assist with researcher requests and possibly oral histories
  • Other duties may be assigned as mutually agreed upon
Physical Demands: Ability to lift artifact boxes, furniture, and equipment (50 lbs); ability to bend, stoop and crawl; work in variable temperatures (hot, cool, and humid). May entail some hiking over rough terrain (level to extremely steep and rocky); willingness to be exposed to hazards of the field environment (inclement weather, ticks, stinging insects, bears). Member may see black bears, serve in venomous snake habitat, be exposed to bugs, ticks, and poison ivy, and get bruises/scratches.

Educational and Training Opportunities: The staff at Shenandoah National Park will coordinate with the member to set up educational cross-training days as interest and opportunities allow. Topics may include plant restoration, invasive plant control, vegetative monitoring/sampling, fisheries, wildlife, trail work, historic structures, archeological location searching, GIS/use of GPS equipment, interpretation, or student education. Cross training opportunities may or may not be available depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Qualifications:
Required:
  • Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
  • Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
  • This position is funded through the Public Land Corps Act which has specific program requirements.
  • Must be 18-30 years of age to apply (members must be 21+ to apply for an ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties).
  • Military Veterans up to 35 are encouraged to apply.
  • US Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
  • A personal vehicle is required for transportation related to personal needs.
  • Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
  • Proven ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group
  • Must have excellent organization skills in terms of cataloging, keeping inventory, and scanning/editing images
  • Deep interest in cultural/historic preservation, museum preservation, and respect for nature

Preferred:
  • Competitive applicants for the position may hold a bachelor's degree and/or experience in museum studies, history, archeology, archives, natural resource management (specimen identification and documentation), cultural/historic preservation, or a related discipline.
  • Knowledge of, or willing to research and learn about the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachians
  • Excellent public speaking skills with diverse audiences
  • Museum collections experience
  • Environmental monitoring experience such as temperature/humidity readings, light readings, and integrated pest management
  • Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome

Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position by clicking on the green "Apply Externally" button. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Eastern Member Coordinator, Madison Douthitt at mdouthitt@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.