CRDIP Historical Researcher - Natchez National Historical Park

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and through the Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program, is seeking a Historical Researcher to assist Natchez National Historical Park staff in ongoing research into the United States Colored Troops.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website at usaconservation dot org.

Start Date: June 24, 2024 (flexible)

Estimated End Date: September 13, 2024

*a 12-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.

Location: Natchez National Historical Park - Natchez, MS (Member will be working out of Washington, DC)

Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River. Having a personal vehicle is highly recommended for commuting and to access groceries and other needs on days off. For more information about the park, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: The Historical Researcher will work with the lead historian in the park's ongoing research into the United States Colored Troops (USCT) that were raised in Natchez, MS following the arrival of Federal troops on July 13, 1863. With the acquisition of the Forks of the Road, the site of the second largest slave market in the Deep South, the park is researching enlistment and pension records of men who served in the USCT regiments who may have been trafficked out of the slave pens at the market.

The ACE Member will work out of Washington, DC, visiting the National Archives to help examine and photograph the actual pension records of various soldiers in the regiments of the USCT raised in the Natchez District. By the end of their term, the member will produce a report based on this research, potentially providing insights into the domestic slave trade between Virginia and Natchez, MS. The Historical Researcher member will also present their findings to park staff and perhaps at a local conference.

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.

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 $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the ACE member and not provided by ACE of NPS. The member will be reimbursed up to $1,200/month to help offset the cost of housing.

Relocation/Professional Development: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation or professional development expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

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. The successful candidate or intern will receive basic training on accessing and researching pension records with the National Archives and Records Administration.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Remove all if PLC is not covered in the agreement; Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our Please select one: website at usaconservation dot org.

Qualifications

Required:

• Interest and familiarity with 19th century African American history
• Experience conducting historical research online and in person at libraries and archival repositories
• Basic computer skills; proficient in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.
• 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 ID's 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 must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term
• 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 usaconservation website

Preferred:

• Interest and familiarity with the history of the U.S. Colored Troops

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, and reaching with hands and arms. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Mostly office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. A small portion of work may take place outside or in non-climate controlled facilities, such as outbuildings, basement, or attic.

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 on our website at usaconservation dot org. 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 ACCE Member Manager, Samira Rosario Martinez, at srosario-martinez at usaconservation dot org.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.