NPS Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Interpretive Individual Placement

Stipend: $634/week ($15.85/hr)

Internship Length: 26 weeks, full time

Dates: 6/5/2023-12/1/2023 (flexible)

Number of Positions: 4

Reports to: Katahdin Woods and Waters National Park Service

National Park Service Mission:

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

NPS Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Interpretive Individual Placement (IP) Overview:

Stewards Individual Placement Programs (SIPP) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health. SIPP in partnership with Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is seeking four Interpretive Individual Placements to incorporate indigenous perspectives into interpretive programming and contacts. `

The four (4) Interpretive Individual Placements will have the opportunity to develop interpretive skills and prepare interpretive programs and products that incorporate their relevant, lived cultural perspectives. Possible programs and products include interpretive talks, guided walks, illustrated PowerPoint talks, interpretive writing pieces, content for the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument website and presence on the National Park Service app, night sky programming, and more.

These positions based at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine. Katahdin Woods and Waters is an 87,000+ acre national monument designated in 2016 to protect a landscape where the East Branch Penobscot River and its tributaries run freely.

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is located within the present and traditional homeland of the Penobscot Nation. The land and waters hold special significance to the Penobscot Nation and are inextricably linked with Penobscot culture, ceremonies, oral traditions, language, history, and indigenous stewardship which continues the respectful relationship with the land and waterways that has gone back more than 11,000 years. It is a center of connecting watersheds, providing important travel routes for Wabanaki people of Maine, comprised of Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot Nations.

In addition to learning about the field of interpretation, interns will have the opportunity to learn more about potential career pathways with the National Park Service. Participants who complete a minimum of 640 hours will receive noncompetitive hiring authority status under the Public Lands Corps Act. This hiring authority lasts for two years and makes the intern eligible for certain job positions within the NPS and other federal agencies.

Duties Include:

• Research and develop at least 1 interpretive program/product to be presented within the monument or at local community and special events.
• Assist visitor services staff and provide visitor services to public at monument contact stations and at local community and special events.
• Assist other interpretive staff with conducting programs such as night sky programs.
• Shadow other National Park Service employees and partners in fields such as natural and cultural resource management, maintenance, and outdoor education.

Benefits:

• Health Care
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Eligible for Public Lands Corps direct hiring authority upon completion
• Eligible for Education Award* ($3447.50) upon completion
• Opportunity to make a big impact!

*Must be 18 by end of service term to be eligible for education award

For more information contact Jeanne Roy at [email protected]

• Interest in interpretation and education
• Ability to engage and communicate clearly with the public, students, user groups, and agency staff in a professional manner.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Comfort level to talk and present to the public and share tribal perspective.
• Knowledge of Wabanaki Nations and communities in Maine
• Experience working with indigenous or tribal communities
• Traditional indigenous knowledge or affiliation with Tribal Nation
• Comfort level to talk and present to the public and share tribal perspective.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a range of government and partner organizations.

Physical requirements:

• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 25 pounds on a routine basis.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Native American applicants will be strongly considered.