Cultural Resource Member - Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Cultural Resource Member to contribute to education and interpretation projects alongside Hopewell Culture Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: October/November 2023 (some flexibility may be available for the right candidate)

Estimated End Date: February/March 2024 (or 16 weeks from start date)

*a 16 minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (HOCU) in Chillicothe, OH

At HOCU, you'll find earthen mounds and embankments forming huge geometric enclosures that grace the landscape of the Ohio River Valley. These monumental structures were built by Native American hands almost 2,000 years ago. Hopewellian people gathered at these earthworks for feasts, funerals and rites of passage. Almost everyone who studies the Hopewell culture has an "I didn't know that" story about when they first learned about the special and intriguing culture that developed in this region. The park also has an active archeology program which produces even more understanding of this fascinating and yet underrecognized culture. This is a story that needs wider recognition. Every American should learn about the amazing accomplishments of the Native American inhabitants of south and central Ohio 2,000 years ago.

For more information about Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, please visit http://www.nps.gov/hocu/index.htm.

Position Overview:

The ACE Member will be involved with front-line collections care, primarily in conjunction with the Cultural Resources Program Manager. They will also assist with a variety of projects in the documentation, organization, care, and preservation of Park cultural resources. Primary responsibilities will include the identification, inventory, rehousing, and relocation of museum artifacts.

Additional duties may be assigned including:

• Assist with the museum registration, artifact cataloguing and photography
• Object rehousing and storage case reorganization
• Assist cultural resources program manager in compliance and research projects involving Park's collection
• Contribute to Park's interpretive and educational mission by producing public-facing content focused on specific museum objects or collections
• Evaluate catalog records against NPS cataloging standards and assist in preparation for migration to new collections management system
• Perform routine museum housekeeping activities such as environmental monitoring and pest management
• Assist in developing internal archives management plan

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $400/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $1,718.25 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 450 hours.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the National Park Service. A reimbursable housing assistance of $850/month, up to a total of $3,400, will be provided. Members must submit receipts in order to be reimbursed for housing expenses.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• 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.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• The Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for the position may hold a degree and/or have experience in museum studies, art history, history, anthropology, heritage management, or a related discipline.
• Digitization and/or photography skills
• Education and/or knowledge of museum collection management principles and practices
• Proficiency with computer software and experience with database management
• Comfortable with a fair amount of physical activity during day-to-day museum duties and a willingness to "get dirty" with general housekeeping duties.
• Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills.
• Has strong organizational skills, be detail-orientated, and have the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.
• Effective communication skills with diverse audiences

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to walk throughout the historical park.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10 pounds, ability to move up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. Hazard specifics should be provided on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Partner site.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

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 here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. 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 Recruitment Specialist, Emanuel Cruz at ecruz@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