Interpretation and Education Intern

Northwest Youth Corps – Nez Perce National Historical Park

National Park Service

Lapwai, ID

Position Title: Interpretation and Education Intern

Position Summary:

Nez Perce National Historical Park is recruiting two Interpretation and Education Intern beginning May through September 2025, dates are negotiable depending on availability. Park operations are 7 days a week from 8:00am to 4:30pm and weekly schedule will be discussed with candidates and may depend on availability and park needs. The intern will work with park staff to interpret the history and culture of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce), and other park features to visitors of all ages. Intern will research, develop, and present interpretive programs including guided hikes, short programs for tour bus groups, children’s programs including Junior Rangers and possibly other interpretive programs.  There may be opportunities to assist park staff in other aspects of park management. Intern may also complete a relevant project.

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.

Nez Perce National Historical Park, Lapwai, Idaho

The 38 units of Nez Perce National Historical Park form a park unit about a people, for all people. It is not one place, but many. It is not one story, but a multitude. It is not one viewpoint, but many more than one. Approximately 300,000 visitors annually come to Nez Perce National Historical Park to experience and understand the cultural heritage and history of the Nez Perce as well as to see the scenery along two national historic trails: the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, a unit of the National Park Service, and the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail, which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service in close partnership with Nez Perce National Historical Park. The majority of visitors discover Nez Perce sites as they travel to and from other destinations but are able to discover the many stories and legends inherently tied to this landscape.

Lapwai, Idaho is Park Headquarters for Nez Perce National Historical Park. It is located in NW Idaho near the Idaho Washington border 12 miles SW of Lewiston Idaho on US HWY 95.  The area is defined by the Clearwater and Snake rivers as they flow through canyons and steep hills and run together in Lewiston. Vegetation in the area is mostly grass and sage, the topography is rolling hills with distant mountains, much of the area is agricultural and planted in wheat. The towns of Lewiston Idaho population 36,000 and Clarkston Washington population 8,000 offer all major services including rental housing, airport, schools, and hospitals. There is no public transportation to the park from the surrounding communities.  Daytime temperatures from May to September frequently reach the high 80’s with numerous days in July and August with temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Daytime temperatures in the winter range from the low 30’s to mid-50’s.  The climate is arid at Lapwai which is in the Clearwater River bottom with little rain or snow, both rain and snowfall increase significantly in the higher elevations around Lapwai.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• 30% - Visitor Center Operations and Customer Service- Intern will assist with the visitor center operations which includes staffing visitor center desk, operating a cash register, providing customer service, opening, and closing building, and basic cleaning. Answering questions and implementing projects related to Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) history and culture, environmental education, interpretation, and wildlife management.
• 20% - Public Outreach and Interpretation – Intern will develop and present educational programs and maintain program supplies and equipment. Intern will assist in developing and presenting interpretive programs (e.g., nature-based programs and walks, history programs) for park visitors of a variety of ages and backgrounds. Intern activities will include roving interpretation at various park sites.
• 20% - Media and Communication – Intern will help with positively promoting the park using social media, flyers, and the park website. Intern will assist with drafting and preparing a variety of written materials and responses including news releases, articles, correspondence, and event flyers to increase understanding of the park mission, a special event, or related issues.
• 20% - Resource Management--Intern will assist with monitoring endangered plants, creating botanical species lists, and surveying for aquatic and sensitive plants. Additional duties will include removing invasive plants (including hand-pulling), assisting with nursery and greenhouse operations, collecting, and processing seed, assisting with wildlife surveys, entering data, processing plant collections, and other duties as assigned.
• 10% - Special Events – The intern will assist park staff in coordinating and managing special events at the park.

Required Qualifications:

• Ages 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans)
• S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Current driver’s license and clean driving record
• Personal Vehicle to get to and from work.
• Strong communication skills. The intern will need to work both independently and with a small number of staff or volunteers.
• Ability to lift carry 30lbs.

Desired Qualifications:

• Academic discipline or area of interest related to this position: education, environmental science, biology, communication, graphic design, writing, photography, or history.
• Willingness to learn and participate in a team environment.

Duty Location:

Duties are performed within the greater Lewiston, Idaho area. Interns will be required to make their own housing arrangements in the local Lewiston, Idaho area.

Terms of Employment:

Intern will complete the 20-week program starting May through September 2025. The intern will average 40 hours of labor per week, minus holidays. Sick days and off days are allowed per request via the Nez Perce National Historic Park staff.

Program Benefits:

Interns will earn $12,800 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis throughout the 20-weeks.

The living allowance is taxable.