Individual Placement - Interpretation Participant

Conservation Begins Here

Interpretation Participant

Position Summary

This position will provide the individual the opportunity to work with a small team of dedicated National Park Service employees, assist visitors, and connect with the stories told at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site. This interpretation individual will spend most of their time working directly with visitors at the visitor center, through public programming, and working with youth and special tour groups.

The duties are approximately 80% indoors and 20% outdoors. Dedicated interpretation training will be provided at the beginning of the summer, and the individual will be mentored to improve skills throughout the season, with the goal of learning to perform at the same standard expected of seasonal National Park Service employees.

Additional opportunity will be provided for the individual to work with the park's Historian/Curator to learn about the cultural resource program and assist with projects related to the park's historic collections, artifacts, and archives. The individual will also have the opportunity to work with the park's facility management team to gain an understanding of this program area and assist with facility operations.

Location

St. Louis, MO

Schedule

May 19, 2025 - September 12, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the interpretation individual will be providing frontline visitor services for a variety of audiences. At the visitor center, the individual will greet and orient visitors, answer questions, assist children with Junior Ranger program, and help with sales of items in the park store. The individual will research, develop, and present interpretive programs on a variety of topics such as: Ulysses S. Grant, 19th century farming and domestic life at the site, slavery, Civil War, Reconstruction, and Civil Rights. They will develop an 8-10 minute introduction to the historic house, interpretive pop ups, and/or assisting with special group tours.

Additional duties will include assisting the park's Historian/Curator on evaluating and updating museum collections and archival inventories, accessioning/deaccessioning items to/from the park collections, and assisting with temporary exhibit design and setup. Limited opportunity will also be provided to assist the park's facility management program with cultural landscape and historic preservation operations.

Marginal Duties

The individual may also provide informal interpretation and assist with special events. There may be occasional opportunities to assist with organization of interpretive work spaces.

Required Qualifications

. Customer service experience.

. Willingness to speak in front of groups of people, including children.

. Ability to work with a team.

. Willingness to assist with cultural resource and facility management operations.

. The selectee will be required to pass a National Park Service background check.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications

. The ability to conduct research and write at a college level

. Public speaking experience

. Knowledge of 19th century American History

. Desire to pursue a career with the National Park Service or other public land agency.

. Interest in learning and assisting with duties related to resource and facility management.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Park housing is not available for this position. A car is necessary for transportation to the park as public transportation is not available. The park is in suburban St. Louis County. It is easily accessed by car from many neighborhoods in the metro area.

Compensation

$650 weekly living allowance ; $1,100 moving allowance, paid once with first paycheck

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits

Interpretive Skills

AmeriCorps: Not eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.

Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.