Youth Empowerment Stewards (YES) – Colonial National Historical Park Interpretation Intern

Stipend: $600/week ($15/hr)

Internship Length: 12 weeks, full time

Number of Positions: 1

Start Date: 5/29/2023

Reports to: Colonial National Historical Park, National Park Service (NPS)

YES (Youth Empowerment Stewards) Program:

Are you passionate about disability rights and accessibility in National Parks and public lands? Do you identify as having a disability yourself? Work with us and help increase access to the outdoors for everyone. Our health, our planet, and our collective future rely on diversity—in thought, ability, experience, and ideas. That’s why we need YOU. Become a Youth Empowerment Steward (YES) intern and help make the outdoors more accessible for all!

Colonial National Historical Park Interpretation Intern:

At Colonial National Historical Park, the primary purpose of interpretation is to enrich people’s lives through meaningful learning experiences and enjoyable recreation; preserve and protect natural and cultural resources through broad collaboration and shared stewardship; and inspire social and environmental consciousness to build community and sustain the health of the planet.

At Colonial National Historical Park, we have 2 different sites, Yorktown Battlefield and Jamestown Island. Additionally, the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail is stationed at our Jamestown Visitors Center and works extremely closely with Colonial NHP. This intern would be shared between the two parks at our Jamestown Visitors Center. The Visitor’s Center is extremely busy during the summer months, bringing in 58,782 visitors between May-August last year. With a small number of staff to handle all questions, visitor engagement and interpretive programs, this intern would assist in tackling these crowds. Additionally, they would be able to provide information on both park sites at the location.

Additionally, as Colonial NHP will share the intern with the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, the intern will participate in ongoing research and maintenance at Werowocomoco. Werowocomoco, translated from the Virginia Algonquian language, means “place of leadership”. As an archaeological site, Werowocomoco was confirmed in 2002, nearly 400 years after the Indian leader Powhatan and his people interacted with Jamestown settlers here and at Jamestown. The intern will have the ability to learn about the seven tribes affiliated with Werowocomoco and share the untold stories with visitors at Jamestown as well as at public outreach events utilizing the trail’s “Roving Ranger” which functions as a mobile visitor center throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Duties Include:

Informal interpretation

Assist with visitor engagement

Participate in ongoing research

Youth engagement

Benefits:

Health Care

Professional Development Opportunities

Eligible for AmeriCorps Education Award upon completion

Reasonable Accommodations

Membership opportunities and affinity spaces

Opportunity to make a big impact!

To be a US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident​

To be between the ages of 18-24, or a Veteran up to the age of 34​

Adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid environment​

Ability to communicate and collaborate in a variety of settings

High school graduate or working towards Bachelor’s degree

Willingness to be flexible and adapt

Ability to take initiative

Interest in working in a public land agency

No previous experience necessary