Northwest Youth Corps – Minidoka National Historic Site

Twin Falls/Jerome, ID

Summary: The Archeology Program for South Idaho Parks is looking to fill two, 640-hour internship positions for the field season of FY25. The internship is through a partnership with Northwest Youth Corps and lasts for 16 weeks. The intern would be stationed at Minidoka National Historic Site and would travel out to all South Idaho Parks. This position will support National Historic Preservation Act (Sections 106 and 110) compliance projects in the parks.

About 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.

Most of this work will be completed in the field at one of four South Idaho Parks. The parks include Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Minidoka National Historic Site, and City of Rocks National Reserve. The environments of these parks are all different; they include: lava fields, caves/tunnels, cliffs, mountains, and deserts. Animals that can be encountered in the parks include bears, mountain lions, deer, elk, snakes (both venomous and non-venomous), raptors, and small mammals.

Office and lab work can take place at any of the four parks, but most lab work will be completed at Hagerman or Minidoka.

Duties and Responsibilities: Major duties are related to learning and working alongside personnel in the Cultural Resources Division at Minidoka National Historic Site. The intern will serve as field crew for archeology projects. This will include cultural resources pedestrian surveys and site recording, previously documented site relocation and documentation updates, and site testing and/or excavation. This position will be expected to be in the field 80% of the time. The other 20% of time will be spent in the lab doing data entry, GIS updates, and other archeology laboratory work. Some fieldwork will require overnight trips, possibly with field camping, and basic caving (no line work).

Specific activities include: 

• Field crew member for archeological surveys
• Site documentation and recording
• Data Entry, GIS updates, laboratory work

Required Qualifications: 

• Ages 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans)
• S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must pass a background/driver check
• Be pursuing, or have an undergraduate degree in, anthropology with a focus in North American archeology or a related field.
• Be able to hike long distances, carrying up to 50 lbs of gear over uneven and sometimes mountainous terrain.
• Be able to follow instructions and field plans.
• Be willing to follow all safety plans and be a field safety leader.
• Have a valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications: 

• Be willing to learn new skills or new ways of doing tasks.
• Have good attention to detail.
• Have a good attitude and able to work long hours in adverse conditions.
• Have or will obtain First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
• Personal transportation

Duty Location: 

Duties are performed within the South Idaho Parks with the base duty location at Minidoka National Historic Site.

Terms of Employment: 

Interns will complete a term of service, starting May through August 2025 for a total of 16 weeks. The intern will average 40 hours of labor per week, minus holidays. Interns are responsible for providing their own personal transportation, housing and food. Significant time-off, beyond 1 or 2 weeks during the internship, is discouraged.

Program Benefits:

Interns will earn $10,240 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis throughout the sixteen (16) week term of service. The living allowance is taxable.

Application Instructions

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received. 

Type of position: Individual Placement 

Service Dates May 2025 - August 2025

Length of Term: 16 Weeks (640 hours)

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references and completely fill out the application form found at https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/jobsearch/?job_board_classification=Internships

Please select “Minidoka National Historic Site - Archeology Technician Internship” when applying.

Additional Information

If you have questions about the position, please reach Northwest Youth Corps Internship Program Coordinator, Matt Schlegel at matthews@idahocc.org.org or 208-625-8402, or Southern Idaho Parks Archeologist, Tara McClure-Cannon at tara_mcclure-cannon@nps.gov

All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check (criminal history and driving history).