Interpretation Intern​ at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Title: ​Interpretation Intern​ 

Location C&O Canal National Historical Park, Potomac, MD 

Positions Available: 1 Internship 

Dates: 11/13/2023 - 5/10/2024 (26 weeks) 

Status: This is a full-time, temporary 900 hour AmeriCorps National Service position.  

Contact: ​Questions? Email ACCrecruiting@conservationlegacy.org​ 

Appalachian Conservation Corps: 

Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) works to connect young people to critical conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania. As a corps program, ACC partners with public land managers to identify, plan, and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality, and economic development. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations. Our programs focus on service, place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. ACC also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment and issues affecting it and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.   

Position Summary: 

Through interpretation and visitor services, the intern will assist with fulfilling the preservation mission of the National Park Service and the C&O Canal National Historical Park by providing relevant and provocative audience-centered experiences through a wide variety of interpretive and educational programming services. 

The C&O Canal National Historical Park receives approximately 5 million visitors a year. To maintain relevancy, the C&O Canal must engage new and diverse audiences. To achieve this, the C&O Canal will recruit an intern to engage diverse audiences with 21st century interpretive methods including living history programming. Traditional interpretive practices are becoming less effective at providing enjoyment and connections for audiences, while social, technological, and demographic changes provide a demand and opportunity for developing skills for 21st century citizenry through continuous growth and exploration. Utilizing the park’s primary interpretive themes, the interns will develop new 21st century interpretive and visitor use programs that incorporate the replica Charles F. Mercer canal boat, historic Great Falls Tavern, and adjacent scenic landmarks such as the Great Falls on the nearby Potomac River. 

The intern will promote a closer relationship between the park and the large visitor community through a wide variety of interpretive and visitor use engagement methods. This includes staffing an indoor Visitor Center, informal roving in areas of the park with high potential for visitor contact, and through popular formal programming. The intern’s job responsibilities will increase visitor understanding of the organization’s mission which in turn ensures environmental protection of the park’s unique cultural and natural resources. Main intern responsibilities include: 

• Conduct informational/educational-related visitor contacts and site introductions through a variety of methods. 
• Research, develop and present formal interpretive talks that have a beneficial effect on visitor understanding and appreciation of the park. 
• Assist visitor services and interpretive staff with front desk visitor center operations. 

Housing is NOT provided for this position.  

Benefits:   

• $525/week living stipend, paid bi-weekly    
• $3,247.50 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 1700 hour service term (award amount varies based on length of commitment and can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)   

• $450 professional development funds 
• Non-competitive eligibility when applying to federal jobs through the Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority 
• Possible Federal student loan forbearance   
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist   

• Depending upon the academic institution and program, this position may fulfill internship requirements   
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths   

General Qualifications: 

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for Veterans up to age 35)  

• Have US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status  
• Have a high school diploma or GED 
• Must have local housing 
• Pass background checks: all offers of positions are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal and/or State criminal background check 

• Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are eligible if they have not already completed 2 full years of AmeriCorps service, or 4 AmeriCorps service terms, whichever comes first – please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility)  
• Possess a valid driver’s license 

Preferred Qualifications:   

• Public speaking experience 
• Basic first aid/CPR/AED certification 
• Enjoys working as a member of the team 
• Outgoing and enjoys engaging people in an active manner 
• Excellent problem-solving skills 
• Working towards or earned a undergrad or graduate degree in History, Biology, Communications, Drama, or similar 

Our Promise:  

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.   

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.