NPS Unit:

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

Location:

Birmingham, AL

NPS Representative

William T Karlovetz

Project Title:

Intern XL Education and Interpretation Intern (Two Interns)

Position Description:

The two interns at the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument will have multifaceted roles in supporting the site's operations and programs. They will assist in staffing the AG Gaston Motel, a crucial historic site within the monument, enhancing the visitor experience.
Additionally, the interns will develop a 10-minute, theme-based, audience-centered program on the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and/or students in the civil rights movement. This program will contribute to the educational and interpretive offerings of the monument.
The interns will also play a role in researching America250 themes and assisting in creating programs for the site targeted towards urban youth. This is an opportunity to engage a key demographic and connect them with the history and significance of the civil rights movement.
Furthermore, the interns will be responsible for taking and editing photographs for the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument's social media pages, aiming to engage the local community and promote the site's stories and events.
The interns will participate in weekly share-out sessions with provided resources, such as podcast episodes, books, and oral histories, to enhance their understanding and delivery of programs. They will also create a 3-minute presentation based on their research findings, which will be theme-based, audience-centered, and creatively delivered to the national park staff. This internal presentation is intended to serve as practice for program delivery in a supportive environment.
Additionally, the interns will assist with Commemoration Week planning, contributing to the organization and execution of this important event.
The candidates will collaborate closely with the park management team, interpretive staff, and partners, gaining valuable experience in planning and coordination. They will also have the opportunity to serve as a project lead on special projects, further developing their skills and expertise.
Through their work with the National Park Service and various partners, the candidates will have a comprehensive learning experience, including:
• Development of speaking and presentation skills
• Skills and experience related to the management of public resources and sites
• Experience as part of a team and operations within a new national park site
• Engaging visitors, community members, and area youth to connect them to the stories of the site
Overall, this internship offers a wide range of learning opportunities and practical experiences in park and interpretive operations, making it a valuable opportunity for professional development.

Mentoring:

Candidates will work with Supervisory Interpretive Ranger and other park staff to engage with the public, community and partners.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have experience with public speaking, delivering formal or informal educational programs, designing marketing materials for social media, conducting research, and working in collaborative environments. Additional skills may include experience conducting interviews (such as for a podcast, or oral history collection), volunteer recruitment and management, and curriculum design.

Participants must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident (green-card-holder) and currently enrolled in or graduated from an undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. degree program at an accredited institution of higher education during the summer internship.

Additional qualifications:

• Must be currently enrolled or recent graduate of an accredited HBCU institution

• Must be between 16 and 30years of age

• Must be U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident or U.S. national

• Must be able to pass a federal background check

• Must be fully vaccinated

Position Dates:

May 20, 2024 – August 9, 2024

Housing Available:

Yes

Vehicle/License Required:

License Required

Work Environment:

Work will be performed in various indoor and outdoor settings including visitor centers, museums, historic buildings, park grounds and park trails. The position will require the physical ability to work in a variety of weather conditions and perform some light lifting (up to 50 lbs.)