Idaho Conservation Corps
Challis, ID, USA
Jan 16, 2020
Internship- Paid
Position Description: The Forest Service partners with Idaho State Parks and Recreation, Land of the Yankee Fork Historical Association (Custer), and the Dredge Historical Association to interpret and preserve the settlement and mining history in the Yankee Fork River drainage. The ghost town of Custer as well as the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge receive thousands of visitors each year, making this area among the Forest’s busiest (if not the busiest) day use sites. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, this intern will be at the town site to assist volunteers, Forest, and State personnel in welcoming visitors and interpreting the history of the area for them. Tours as well as a slide show are provided to all visitors. Site interpreters also spend countless hours teaching the art of gold panning to young and old alike.
Term Length: May 18th - October (exact start/ end dates are dependent on date of hire and will be based on the 960 required hours of service).
Duties/ Responsibilities: Working on cataloging artifacts with a plan for exhibiting them on a rotating schedule into the collection displayed at Custer as well as at the State’s interpretive Center. Work with our Archaeology program on the Forest completing projects at Custer as well as surveys for other Forest projects. Working with the State on various educational programs they provide to schools and to the local community. This would include planning new projects as well as participating in ones already scheduled. Fine-tune the “walking tour” brochure in light of the newer interpretive signs around town and decide if the numbered stops are still relevant. Provide input on updates to the brochure for a walking tour. Update and make edits to the mobile tour of the area that can be downloaded. . Possibly expand content to include other areas on the Forest. Update displays and prepare for fabrication of a new narrative display. Work with managers to develop options for securing artifacts. Interpretive and customer service work on site at Custer and the Dredge during the summer months as well as at the LOYF Interpretive Center and the Challis-Yankee Fork District office during the months of October – December.
Qualifications: U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident. A background in education or interpretation. o Formal or informal experience in teaching or public programming in history, wildlife biology, natural resources, or a related field preferred. Upper level or recent college graduate. Driver’s license required. Strongly prefer experience developing and conducting inquiry- based programs. Prefer experience correlating programs with national and state educational standards. Prefer experience working with the general public and children in indoor and outdoor settings. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Excellent organizational and computer skills. An independent, self-motivated, and resourceful individual able to work with diverse groups of people. Ability to speak Spanish a plus.
Additional Qualifications Desired: A desire to serve and promote public land stewardship and an ethic of service. Communicate and interact in a positive, professional manner with various populations, including project partner(s), colleagues, community volunteers, youth, and the general public. A cooperative manner and the ability to serve as part of a team. The ability to work independently. A willingness to ask questions for clarification and job completion. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends. Ability to commit to the full term of service. Regular and reliable attendance and dependability. Computer skills related to editing and creating content for applications.
Program Benefits NYC will provide RA with a weekly stipend of $402.50 for a total stipend of $9660.00 (assuming a 24- week term) along with health care coverage and workers compensation. RA will earn a Noncompetitive Hiring Authority and Direct Hire Authority upon completion of their 960 hours of service. Housing will be provided at nearby Bonanza Guard Station during the summer season and at the Challis compound housing for the rest of the term.
About the Salmon-Challis National Forest Covering over 4.3 million acres of east-central Idaho, individuals have the opportunity to enjoy the natural landscapes of the Continental Divide, the vast, 1.3 million acres of the Frank Church-- River of No Return Wilderness, the newly designated Jim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness, the snow-covered cap of the tallest peak in Idaho, Borah Peak, or the free-flowing waters of the Wild & Scenic Salmon River and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The Salmon-Challis National Forest is rich with history as evidenced through the numerous rock shelters displaying pictographs and from what are now ghost towns of the mining days. The Sheepeater Indians of the Shoshone Tribe were among the first to populate this remote region; living along the river banks, they would often share their bountiful fishing and hunting grounds with the Nez Perce and Flathead Indians. In the early 1800’s, the Lewis and Clark Expedition crossed the continental divide into unchartered territory; and through the help of Indian guides Toby and Sacajawea (who was born in Lemhi County of the Salmon Challis National Forest), they opened the west to trappers, fur traders, miners, ranchers, lumbermen, and missionaries. Today, visitors can view remnants of history as they explore the mining ghost towns found in Mackay, Gilmore, Custer, Leesburg, and Yankee Fork; hike a portion of the Lewis and Clark Trail; or view pictographs while floating down one of the Salmon Rivers.
How to Apply: Send a copy of your resume and cover letter to javierl@idahocc.org with the subject line, “Salmon Challis Application.”
Contact:
Javier Luna Internship Program Officer javierl@idahocc.org 208-805-0325
Jody Wisner Recreation Technician jody.wisner@usda.gov 208-879-4135
