Nez Perce National Historical Park - Interpretation and Education Internship
Northwest Youth Corps
- Lapwai, ID
- $11,520 per year
- Temporary
- Full-time
Northwest Youth Corps - Nez Perce National Historical Park
National Park Service
Lapwai, ID
Position Summary:
Nez Perce National Historical Park is recruiting one Interpretation and Education Intern beginning April
through September 2024, dates are negotiable depending on availability. Park operations are 7 days a week
from 8:00am to 4:30pm and weekly schedule will be discussed with candidates and may depend on availability
and park needs. The intern will work with park staff to interpret the history and culture of the Nimiipuu (Nez
Perce), and other park features to visitors of all ages. Intern will research, develop, and present interpretive
programs including guided hikes, short programs for tour bus groups, children's programs including Junior
Rangers and possibly other interpretive programs. There may be opportunities to assist park staff in other
aspects of park management. Intern may also complete a relevant project.
About Northwest Youth Corps (NYC):
Northwest Youth Corps was created in 1984 to offer teenagers and young adults an education-based work
experience modeled after the historic Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. Today, we serve over 1,000
youth and young adults each year across a four-state region who restore critical habitat, build trails, lead
volunteers, educate youth, and respond to local and national disasters.
Nez Perce National Historical Park, Lapwai, Idaho
The 38 units of Nez Perce National Historical Park form a park unit about a people, for all people. It is not one
place, but many. It is not one story, but a multitude. It is not one viewpoint, but many more than one.
Approximately 300,000 visitors annually come to Nez Perce National Historical Park to experience and
understand the cultural heritage and history of the Nez Perce as well as to see the scenery along two national
historic trails: the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, a unit of the National Park Service, and the Nez
Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail, which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service in close partnership
with Nez Perce National Historical Park. The majority of visitors discover Nez Perce sites as they travel to and
from other destinations but are able to discover the many stories and legends inherently tied to this landscape.
Lapwai, Idaho is Park Headquarters for Nez Perce National Historical Park. It is located in NW Idaho near the
Idaho Washington border 12 miles SW of Lewiston Idaho on US HWY 95. The area is defined by the
Clearwater and Snake rivers as they flow through canyons and steep hills and run together in Lewiston.
Vegetation in the area is mostly grass and sage, the topography is rolling hills with distant mountains, much of
the area is agricultural and planted in wheat. The towns of Lewiston Idaho population 36,000 and Clarkston
Washington population 8,000 offer all major services including rental housing, airport, schools, and hospitals.
There is no public transportation to the park from the surrounding communities. Daytime temperatures from
May to October frequently reach the high 80's with numerous days in July and August with temperatures over
100 degrees Fahrenheit. Daytime temperatures in the winter range from the low 30's to mid-50's. The climate
is arid at Lapwai which is in the Clearwater River bottom with little rain or snow, both rain and snowfall
increase significantly in the higher elevations around Lapwai.Duties and Responsibilities:
30% - Visitor Center Operations and Customer Service- Intern will assist with the visitor center
operations which includes staffing visitor center desk, operating a cash register, providing customer
service, opening, and closing building, and basic cleaning. Answering questions and implementing
projects related to Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) history and culture, environmental education, interpretation,
and wildlife management.
20% - Public Outreach and Interpretation - Intern will develop and present educational programs and
maintain program supplies and equipment. Intern will assist in developing and presenting interpretive
programs (e.g., nature-based programs and walks, history programs) for park visitors of a variety of ages
and backgrounds. Intern activities will include roving interpretation at various park sites.
20% - Media and Communication - Intern will help with positively promoting the park using social
media, flyers, and the park website. Intern will assist with drafting and preparing a variety of written
materials and responses including news releases, articles, correspondence, and event flyers to increase
understanding of the park mission, a special event, or related issues.
20% - Resource Management--Intern will assist with monitoring endangered plants, creating botanical
species lists, and surveying for aquatic and sensitive plants. Additional duties will include removing
invasive plants (including hand-pulling), assisting with nursery and greenhouse operations, collecting,
and processing seed, assisting with wildlife surveys, entering data, processing plant collections, and
other duties as assigned.
10% - Special Events - The intern will assist park staff in coordinating and managing special events at
the park.
Required Qualifications:
Personal Vehicle to get to and from work.
Strong communication skills. The intern will need to work both independently and with a small number
of staff or volunteers.
Ability to lift carry 30lbs.
Current driver's license and clean driving record
Must be able to pass a background check.
Desired Qualifications:
Academic discipline or area of interest related to this position: education, environmental science,
biology, communication, graphic design, writing, photography, or history.
Willingness to learn and participate in a team environment.
Duty Location:
Duties are performed within the greater Lewiston, Idaho area. Interns will be required to make their own
housing arrangements in the local Lewiston, Idaho area.
Terms of Employment:
Intern will complete the 18-week program starting April through September 2024. The intern will average 40
hours of labor per week, minus holidays. Sick days and off days are allowed per request via the Nez Perce
National Historic Park staff.
Program Benefits:
$11,520 total living allowance, prorated monthly. Interns are responsible for providing their own housing and
food. Upon successful completion of the term interns can earn a Public Lands Corps noncompetitive hiring
authority within federal service. The Public Lands Corps noncompetitive hiring authority does not provide a
candidate with an entitlement to federal employment.Application Instructions
Application Deadline: April 1, 2024
Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.
Type of position: Individual Placement
Service Dates: April 2024 - September 2024
Length of Term: 720 Hours (18 weeks)
To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references and completely
fill out the application form found at
https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/jobsearch/?job_board_classification=Internships
Please select "Nez Perce National Historical Park - Interpretation and Education Internship" when applying.
Additional Information:
If you have questions about the position, please contact Idaho Conservation Corps/Northwest Youth Corps
Internship Program Coordinator Matthew Schlegel at matthews@idahocc.org or Nez Perce National Historic
Park Interpretation Program Manager, Mandi Wick at Mandi_Wick@nps.gov.
All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check (criminal history and
driving history).