CRDIP Digital Archives Member - Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site and through the Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program, is seeking a Digital Archives Member interested in dedicating 29 weeks to support Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site in increasing online access to archival material.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: June 3, 2024

Estimated End Date: December 20, 2024

*a 29-week minimum commitment is required *

The Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program (CRDIP) is a professional development internship that introduces students and recent graduates, from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the National Parks, to career opportunities within Cultural Resource Management in the NPS. CRDIP participants will have the opportunity to attend several professional development webinars as well as write blogs or create videos about their projects throughout their term. To learn more: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/join-us.htm

Location Details/Description: Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site- Cambridge, MA

Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site preserves the home of Henry W. Longfellow, one of the world's foremost 19th century poets. The house also served as headquarters for General George Washington during the Siege of Boston, July 1775 - April 1776. In addition to its rich history, the site offers unique opportunities to explore 19th century literature and arts. For more information about the park, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/long/index.htm

LONG is welcoming and supportive of people of diverse identities, and prioritizes a safe, inclusive work environment. BIPOC candidates and candidates from marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

Position Overview: The ACE member will gain valuable experience in museum collections and archives management while also providing public access to the historic archival and photograph collections of Longfellow House- Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site.

The site's archival collections include over 450 linear feet of personal papers of the extended Longfellow family records of preservation at the site. Within the archival collections are over 11,500 photographs and negatives ranging from 1840 to 1970, encompassing a wide range of photographic processes and topics. These collections provide critical information about all aspects of the history associated with the Longfellow family, the site, their associations with other famous figures, nineteenth century fashions, and important images of foreign travel collected by family members.

The ACE member's primary project will be preparing digitized material from the archival collections for upload to the site's Digital Archive Portal on NP Gallery (npgallery.nps.gov/long). This work includes:

• Working with the archivist to establish publication priorities
• Following established procedures to format and embed item-level metadata
• Formatting full-text transcriptions of manuscript documents where available
• Completing missing catalog information where needed.

The ACE member will also have the opportunity to assist with public research requests relating to the collection and to identify an area of interest for their own small research project to enable the member to discover some of the connections inherent in the park's collections. Potential products of a research project include an interpretive web article or an online research guide.

The ACE member will work closely with NPS curatorial staff (archivist, museum curator, and museum technician) and have opportunities to connect with staff across divisions, including with interpretive rangers working with the public.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

The ACE member will be part of a cohort of four partner youth positions at the site, working on projects in research, archives, interpretation, and outreach.

Schedule: Full-time position Monday to Friday; 8:30am-5:00pm.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $680/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS. A reimbursement not to exceed $850/month will be provided to help offset the cost of housing.

Professional Development: ACE members will have access to up to $350 to be used for eligible professional development and training expenses approved by ACE and NPS.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include online courses on digitization and digital preservation.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group
• A current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of IDs upon hiring)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history check
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here

Preferred:

• Possess a degree, experience, and/or demonstrated interest in archives, public history, cultural resource management, museum studies, or a related discipline
• Interest or experience in American history or literature
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing
• Experience in data entry, metadata management, and/or using databases in a cultural heritage context. Ability to work with large or complicated sets of data which require attention to detail
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent use of computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Office work may require frequent sitting and/or standing. Manual dexterity required for handling archival collections. Required climbing of stairs to reach office and storage space.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move up to 50 pounds. Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Environmental: Mostly office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including pest excrement and mold on a rare basis but will be provided proper protective equipment. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members, or cultural resources.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact CRDIP Member Manager, Samira Rosario Martinez, at srosario-martinez@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Salary : $680