Urban Green Internship- Cultural Resource Intern at Big Bend National Park

Urban Green Internship- Cultural Resource Intern at Big Bend National Park

#PO-00800333-MEM | Posted 08/13/2024

Position Dates: 11/4/2024 - 5/5/2025

Location: Big Bend National Park, TX 79834

Job Description

About Us:  

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, community green spaces, and much more across the country. 

Scope of work

Intern will have broad exposure to the Science and Resources Division at Big Bend National Park and specifically work within the Cultural Resources Program. The main project will be performing archaeological site condition assessments throughout the park on sites that span a history of over 13,000 years, including significant indigenous cultural sites as well as later period sites associated with nineteenth and twentieth century ranching, farming, and mining prospects. Annual site assessments are key for developing a greater understanding of the impacts of climate change and associated major weather events, tourism, borderland activity, and trespass livestock on cultural resources here at Big Bend. The results guide decision making, and the data is used to develop, plan, and implement future management strategies. In addition to archaeological site assessments, the intern will have the opportunity to participate in historic preservation work including structural assessments, and adobe maintenance and repair. As time allows, they may also work with the Museum Specialist on various activities including, cataloging historic photographs and archaeological materials. Through this work, the intern will gain a breadth of experience and an understanding of the complexities, challenges, and ultimate rewards of working with the National Park Service and our Tribal partners and local community to manage cultural resources on over 800,000 acres.

Member Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The intern will work under direct supervision of the park Archaeologist/Cultural Resources Program Manager and will receive training on a wide variety of protocols for recording archaeological sites and historic structures at Big Bend and across the National Park Service. Key duties and responsibilities will include revisiting archaeological sites in the park and performing condition assessments to identify any impacts to sites since they were last recorded as well as updating missing or new data. Condition assessments are done using a digital tablet and the intern will be responsible for entering all data in the field and downloading and integrating the data with the park specific database as well as the overall NPS database. As such, basic skills using ESRI software and ArcGIS are necessary to successfully perform the work. In addition to archaeological site assessments, the intern will assist with historic preservation projects and structural maintenance and condition assessments. As time allows, they will also work with the Museum Specialist on a variety of ongoing projects. If the intern has specific research interests (indigenous history, early ranching, mining, petroglyphs, historic cemeteries) we can work together to incorporate those interests into the project.

Member Marginal Duties:

Marginal duties may include organizing equipment, filing and organizing documents related to the museum or cultural resources management, and performing vehicle safety checks.

Member Required Qualifications:

Successful applicants should have some prior field experience and college or graduate level coursework in archaeology, historic preservation, or a related field. General knowledge and the ability to navigate and perform basic database entry and map making using ArcGISPro is required. The park also works with Survey123 and/or Field Maps applications as well as Avenza Maps. Knowledge of these programs is a plus. Experience and willingness to hike, camp and navigate in backcountry settings and tolerance of heat and a wide range of weather is necessary.

Training will be provided to perform archaeological site condition assessments, including artifact and feature identification, as well as vehicle, radio use and safety protocols. A driver’s license is necessary. Following training, the park archaeologist or a volunteer will sometimes accompany the intern on site visits, but the applicant should be self-motivated and comfortable working alone in an outdoor setting. When working alone, the intern will focus on visiting sites that are close to roads for safety purposes.

Please note that Big Bend is extremely remote, and it is necessary to have a personal vehicle to go the grocery store or get any other personal supplies/needs. There is a small grocery store in Terlingua (30 miles away) and a larger one in Alpine (100 miles away).

Member Preferred Qualifications:

College degree and/or graduate level coursework in anthropology, archaeology, historic preservation, or a related field. Previous archaeological field school or other professional or volunteer archaeological fieldwork experience. Basic knowledge and ability to identify lithic artifacts and stone tools as well as fire-cracked-rock and cultural features such as earth ovens, burned rock middens, and hearths. Previous experience identifying material culture and features typically associated with nineteenth and twentieth century archaeological sites. Experience navigating with a GPS. Ideal applicants will have demonstrated experience and training working with ArcGISPro and ArcGISOnline to upload data and create maps and surveys.

Member Benefits:

$520 per week living allowance

$1,100 one-time relocation travel

$80 per week commuter allowance

Housing for intern provided.

Physical requirements and working conditions of the member position.

Ability to lift 40 pounds and hike up to 6 miles a day. 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.