Position Summary:

The National Park Service is recruiting one (remote) intern to assist with this special project in the Interpretation & Education Division at HAFO throughout 2025. The ideal intern will be a current undergraduate or graduate level student who will work part-time during the spring and fall semesters and full-time during the summer semester in 2025.

Northwest Youth Corps (NYC):

Northwest Youth Corps was created in 1984 to offer teenagers and young adults an education-based, work experience modeled after the historic Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. Today, we serve over 1,000 youth and young adults each year across a four-state region who restore critical habitat, build trails, lead volunteers, educate youth, and respond to local and national disasters.

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument (HAFO):

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument was established to preserve fossils from approximately 4 to 3 million years ago, during the Pliocene Epoch. The monument is significant for its variety, quantity, and quality of animal and plant fossils, including mastodons, saber-toothed cats, and giant ground sloths. HAFO also preserves fossils of horses, beavers, and many types of waterbirds, which can be found in Hagerman today. Learn more about HAFO and its partner agency, Thousand Springs State Park (TSSP), here: https://www.nps.gov/hafo/index.htm

Year of the Horse Project Summary:

According to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, 2026 will be the next Year of the Horse. As HAFO was first established in recognition of the quantity and quality of its prehistoric horse fossils, the park will celebrate the Year of the Horse in 2026 through increased visitor services and interpretive programming. In addition to sharing the natural and cultural history of horses, interpretive stories will focus on the lesser-known history of Chinese Americans in Idaho. Despite significant contributions of Chinese immigrants and their descendants to early industries in Idaho, this important piece of history is rarely discussed. HAFO and its partner agency TSSP will develop internal resources in 2025 focusing on Chinese Idahoan history in order to host a historically accurate and culturally competent year of events in 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities: Major duties are related to supporting the development of internal resources and reference materials related to Chinese American history in Idaho. The intern will collaborate with HAFO staff to research Idaho history and write literature reviews, web articles, and social media posts highlighting Chinese Americans in Idaho.

Specific activities include:

• Sitting on a monthly panel of interdisciplinary subject matter experts and community members to review materials and collaborate on assigned tasks.
• Developing a detailed literature review with cited references on the history of Chinese immigration, Chinese Americans in Idaho, and any connections to Idaho national and state park hist
• Writing a peer-reviewed web article to be posted on the official HAFO website.
• Writing themed social media posts about Chinese American and fossil horse history to be published in 2026.
• Assisting with the development of: social media and special events plans for 2026, inclusive storytelling narratives to be used in 2026 programming, and training materials for Idaho national and state park employees.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be a current undergraduate or graduate level student enrolled in the spring 2025 and fall 2025 semesters at a university in Idaho, Oregon, or Washington. The student may not take classes during the summer semester, due to the 40 hours per week commitment, explained below in the Terms of Employment section.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Experience compiling, analyzing, and writing summaries of primary sources (such as newspapers, peer-reviewed journal articles, and government documents).
• Attention to detail, time management skills, and ability to work independently; self-motivated to complete tasks and problem solve.
• Ages 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans)
• S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must pass a background/driver check

Desired Qualifications:

• College coursework in history, anthropology, creative writing, communications, or parks and recreation.
• An interest in Asian American history, cultural anthropology, and social justice.
• Driver’s License

Duty Location:

• This internship position is fully remote. However, there will be opportunities for the intern to travel to HAFO to meet staff and gain a deeper, place-based understanding of the historic fossil site. Remote positions via the Northwest Youth Corps are only available to candidates residing in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Candidates who do not live or attend school within one of these states are ineligible for this position.

Terms of Employment:

• The internship will run from approximately January 27 through November 15. The intern will work for 12 weeks in each semester: 10 hours per week in the spring semester, 40 hours per week in the summer semester, and 10 hours per week in the fall semester. This schedule accounts for other commitments in the intern’s schedule, including school holidays and exam periods. Start and end dates are negotiable.
• HAFO will also seek a university professor to mentor the intern on-campus during the spring and fall semesters. This mentor will support the intern in finding resources and honing skills throughout the project.
• This internship does not provide government-issued equipment. The intern must possess a personal laptop with microphone and webcam for regular meetings. A reliable Internet connection is required.
• A valid driver’s license is required in the event of any work-related travel.

Program Benefits:

• The intern will earn a total $12,960 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis throughout the 36 weeks. The living allowance is taxable. A $3,330 housing allowance is also provided.
• Opportunity to attend or complete trainings related to National Park Service interpretive goals and messages.

Opportunity to sit on an interdisciplinary review panel with National Park Service and Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation personnel, Chinese Idahoan community members, and Chinese American history experts