NPS Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Internship - Community Planner - Anchorage, AK

Title: NPS Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Internship - Community Planner
Stipend: $600.00 Weekly Living Stipend
Dates:   05/22/2023 - 08/18/2023 (some flexibility)
Term: 12 weeks, full time
Reports To:  National Park Service - Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
Location: 240 W. 5th Ave, Anchorage Alaska
Status:  450-hour AmeriCorps Service Term 
Benefits:  AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,718.25, eligible for Direct Hiring Authority upon completion of the rigorous 12-week internship. Professional development and travel expenses will be covered by RTCA throughout internship.

 Applications Due April 14, 2023

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps’ Mission 

It is the mission of the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps to lead our nations back to cultural and ecological well-being. The Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps is specifically designed to engage Native American youth and young adults with offices in Acoma, Albuquerque, Gallup, Zuni, and Hopi.  *Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps serves local tribal communities in the regions we operate and across the Unites States.  Native American applicants are preferred.

National Park Service Mission:

Our Mission the National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.  The NPS cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

NPS - Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program Overview:

The NPS operates programs in communities throughout the nation to connect people across the country to their parks, trails, rivers, and other special places. This fellowship position is within the NPS- Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program, which helps community groups, nonprofits, state and local governments, and tribes plan parks and trails, conserve and improve access to rivers and natural areas, and create recreation opportunities through locally led partnerships.

NPS Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Fellowship Overview:

The Intern will be tasked with researching and writing a brief report (or other documentation) that will focus on how the RTCA program can better engage with communities in rural Alaska and ensure better representation of Alaska Native communities and their interests in land use planning and land and resource management.

The Intern will be required to complete a final report (or similar documentation) that describes the research, outcomes and recommendations. There will also be a mandatory presentation of the project work presented to RTCA program leaders at the conclusion of the internship. These are requirements in order to receive the Direct Hiring Authority along with completing the rigorous 12-week internship.

Essential functions and responsibilities:

The work will be centered around one of our existing projects. The purpose will be to help us better serve Alaska Native communities and become better project partners. The selected individual will be able to pick one of the following three projects to focus their efforts on:

- Develop a strategy for outreach to rural Alaska as part of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

- Identify and collect best practices for including indigenous communities in the management and interpretation of sites and resources managed by public agencies.

- Identify and collect best practices for including indigenous communities in planning processes at two project sites in Alaska (Homer and Chitina).

1) Independent research

• Collaborate with RTCA staff and project partners to identify research needs
  that are beneficial to the program and project partners.
• Conduct archival research in knowledge repositories in Alaska relevant to the
  selected project (e.g., UAA, APU, Anchorage Museum) and online.
• Work with project partners to collect needed information (key informant
  interviews, focus groups, etc.).
• Assemble research findings in a useful format (database, report,
  presentation, etc.).

2) Field Observations

• Plan and facilitate site visits with the support of RTCA staff, primarily in the
  commuting area and with opportunities to travel elsewhere in Alaska.
• Conduct interviews with individuals and groups, as needed. 
• Create needed maps and graphics.

3) Assemble Findings and Present

• Assemble findings and previous work in a final format (likely a report and
  presentation, but this may vary).
• Draft written sections and edit for clarity and usefulness. 
• Finalize the report and its findings and present them to NPS leadership.

Required Skills:

• Analytical and critical thinking skills
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of people
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Possession of a current valid driver’s license
• Must be 21 years or older
• Must be a US Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States. Fellows must undergo a government background check if selected.

Required Experience:

Must be an enrolled student with at least one year left before they finish their degree. They can be an undergraduate or graduate student. Enrolled in a graduate level (e.g., Master's) program in Planning, Public Policy, Landscape Architecture, or other similar discipline.

It is not expected that prospective candidates have experience in all these areas. An interest in developing these skills and some experience through work and/or education in at least one of these areas is required.

• Comfort in working with diverse audiences and groups.
• Confidence in meeting and interviewing people
• Skills in interviewing and collecting qualitative data.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Ability and interest in research and documenting findings
• Ability to work independently and with teams: responsible, resourceful, detail-oriented, motivated, good communication and writing skills, proactive, insightful, collaborative, great at time management and project management.
• Enjoys working as part of a team and engaging people.

Other Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Indigenous communities and tribes in Alaska
• Knowledge of underrepresented communities in Alaska
• Experience working with underrepresented communities.
• Experience working with Indigenous or Tribal communities.
• Willingness to identify and reach out to community members, champions, and other leaders.
• Traditional indigenous knowledge or affiliation with Indigenous nation/tribe/group

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

Apply Now! 

To apply, please submit an updated resume and letter of interest along with the online application. 

 Contact Shonto Greyeyes at sgreyeyes@conservationlegacy.org with any questions.