Missouri National Recreational River – FY2014 Youth Diversity Intern Grant

Funding Opportunity Number: FY2014-MNRR-YDI-0001
Park: Missouri National Recreational River
508 East 2nd Street
Yankton, SD 57078
Project title: 2014 Youth Diversity Intern
Proposed Project Date: 05/12/2014 – 08/15/2014 (14 weeks)
Estimated funding available: $7,500
Number of Positions Available: 1

Summary:
The Missouri National Recreational River offers a unique opportunity for an intern to focus on creating and presenting interpretive programs from a uniquely Native American perspective on the cultural and natural resources of the Missouri National Recreational River. The selection process will give priority to candidates with Native American heritage. The park seeks to give voice to Native American perspectives on the meaning of the Missouri River in the Yankton Sioux, Santee Sioux and Northern Ponca tribal culture and compare and contrast this with the Euro-American perspective. Currently the park and its partners have no known interpretive product. This product will help expand the reach and relevance of the NPS to underserved populations. Programs will be presented to tribal members along the park corridor.

Background:
Two free flowing stretches of the Missouri River make up the National Recreational River covering a 100-mile stretch of North America’s longest river, a vestige of the untamed American West. Missouri National Recreational River interpretive staff work in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to assist with interpretive programming and educational outreach. In 2009 the park moved into its first dedicated headquarters building just off the riverfront in Yankton, South Dakota. Information about the park is available at this facility.

Programming takes place at multiple sites along the park corridor in both southeastern South Dakota and northeastern Nebraska. Rapid weather changes are common along the Missouri National Recreational River corridor. Variations from season to season and from year to year are great. Characteristics of the climate are hot summers and cold winters. Sunshine is abundant, particularly in the summer months. Average annual rainfall is 25 inches, of which about 80% falls from April through September. The Intern will be provided with accommodations at a local college dorm.

Projects and Work Activities for 2014:
The Intern will provide the park with suggestions on relevant programs and services that can focus on serving the interests of underserved NPS audiences, particularly Native American tribal members. Their perspective and feedback will be influential in guiding the future course of programming at the park and making it more representative and inclusive of the diverse populations that are historically and currently part of the park’s cultural heritage.

In addition, this program addresses diversity recruitment goals for the park, the Midwest Region, and the NPS. This developmental program and internship position provides the opportunity for both the student intern and the agency to see if they are a good match, expand the awareness of NPS career opportunities, and mentor a successful candidate with NPS career potential. The intern will be provided with increasing levels of responsibility and additional challenges throughout the summer season.

The intern will participate in an extensive training program at the park, including
• an orientation tour of the park and partner sites;
• online training courses in interpretation and other areas of intern’s interest via Eppley Institute and DOI Learn;
• One-on-one mentorship, supervision, career planning and development by the permanent Interpretive Park Ranger. Additional mentoring and career exploration opportunities will be provided by other division and park staff.

Skills desired:
Customer Service – competent with supervision
Public Speaking – competent with supervision
Proficiency in historical research methods

Educational background desired:
Graduate Student or B.S. or B.A. in History or Native American Studies or Senior lead history major

Materials Requested for Statement of Information/Qualifications:
Interested organizations submit a Statement of Information (three-page maximum) including a summary of how you would implement and manage this project in conjunction with NPS staff. Include your name, organization, and contact information, a brief description of the organization and mission, as well as a description of relevant qualifications and experience with recruiting and placement of youth interns, past projects, and staff, faculty, or students who would be available to work on the project. Include a bid with the Statement of Information. The Statement of Information and bid will be reviewed by the NPS in order determine the organization best suited to provide services for this specific project. Submit electronic Statement of Interest to catherine_schroeder@nps and julie_hendricks@nps.gov by 5:00 CST on Thursday, March 6, 2014, as well as any questions you may have concerning the project.
Note: This Request for Information seeks responses from organizations qualified to provide individual and/or crews of youth and young adults for internship opportunities with the National Park Service that provide environmental stewardship and service-learning opportunities through conservation, natural resource management, and emergency response work. Individuals interested in serving as an intern or crew member should contact the park directly. For general information on Youth Program opportunities visit: http://www.nps.gov/gettinginvolved/youthprograms/index.htm.