Cultural Demonstrator (Yosemite Conservancy, Yosemite National Park)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with Yosemite Conservancy at Yosemite National Park, is recruiting 1 Cultural Demonstrator to work cooperatively with National Park Service staff to bring knowledge, innovation and creative thinking to the Indian Cultural Museum at Yosemite (YOSE). The Cultural Demonstrator will demonstrate the traditional skills of Yosemite’s indigenous people and engage visitors in conversations about the lifestyle of these people and how their story is relevant to the overall story of the park. The purpose of visitor contacts is to impart knowledge, understanding and respect of traditional Indian beliefs and their lifestyle, both past and present. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Research the natural and cultural resources within Yosemite National Park and the greater Sierra Nevada mountains ecosystem, and use this information to educate park visitors about important resource topics;
• Demonstrate traditional and contemporary native skills to large groups of visitors Skills learned could include making cordage, traditional pinenut beads, basket production using techniques of the local area, coiling and twining; making of cordage and other various uses of native cultural materials, learn and present the production of projectile points and other tools;
• Provide detailed information to visitors about the history of local Indian people from the pre-contact times to present day;
• Develop and present interpretive demonstrations, lectures, structured talks, impromptu talks, guide tours and other presentations about the Indian Cultural resources of the park to a variety of individuals and groups, using teaching methods and devices geared to the characteristics and interests of the audiences;
• Involve visitors in various activities such as acorn preparation, game playing, cordage making, and more; 
• This job will have some field components- including working outside on umachas, chukkas and other traditional exhibit structures, and working in all weather with volunteer or education groups; and
• Provide documentation of programs and program statistics.

Timeline:

• June 2025 to March 2026, 42 weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: 8-hour days, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm or 9:00 am– 5:30 pm, depending on work needs. Working Tuesday- Saturday, Off Sunday/Monday. Includes working holidays.

Location:

Yosemite National Park - Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more… (source: https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm).

Yosemite National Park is world-renowned for its giant granite walls, waterfalls, sequoias, beautiful meadows and snow-capped mountains. The park encompasses nearly 750,000 acres of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and is 94% designated wilderness. The elevation ranges from just under 2,000’ to just over 13,000’, and many ecosystems can be found within, including foothill chaparral, oak woodland, mixed conifer forest, subalpine meadows, and alpine fell fields. The park hosts over 1,500 plant taxa and many animals, including special status, threatened, and endangered species. Yosemite is one of the most sought after climbing and hiking destinations in the world. Many additional recreational opportunities abound including botanizing, birding, fishing, swimming, and skiing.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $25.25 hourly.

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Personal leave; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing:

Government housing will be provided and paid by the intern. It will be located in El Portal, the administrative site for Yosemite National Park and in good traffic is a 45 min drive to the worksite. ​Housing assignments do vary with the majority being shared with shared kitchen, bathroom, common living room and bedrooms. Housing costs range from about $120 -$600 every two weeks. With dorms being cheaper and a single apartment (Which is rare) costing more. Average cost is $300. Interns provide their own linens and kitchen supplies.  

Uniform Stipend: Not to exceed $200.

Required:

• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to National Park Service (NPS) human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application;
• Bachelor’s degree or credits/coursework towards a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, History, Cultural and Natural Resources, museum studies, education or related field, and/or commensurate experience;
• Knowledge of indigenous peoples who lived in and around Yosemite National Park including oral traditions of specific aspects of cultures or communities. Can also be any native cultural knowledge to the United States;
• Ability to communicate clearly and efficiently with the public, coworkers, and mentors both orally and in writing, and respond in a professional and courteous manner to inquiries from the public regarding program activities; Bilingual (Spanish, French or German) is a plus;
• Able to give and receive feedback in a constructive and positive manner that encourages collaboration and growth;
• Exhibit enthusiasm, flexibility, tolerance, and patience in dealing with park visitors;
• Motivated, detail-oriented, self-starter that has the flexibility to handle competing and changing priorities and possesses strong organizational skills; 
• Able to learn to demonstrate traditional skills. This requires working with traditional tools and learning hands-on skills;
• Be able to perform both in and out of doors and is subject to weather and lighting variance;
• Must be able to work independently where job entails handling a high volume of personal contacts with the public in routine situations;
• Motivated to uplift and support their teammates. Able to collaborate with teammates on projects to reach desired results;
• Ability to accomplish program goals with limited or no direct supervision; and
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license.

Preferred:

• Experience developing/providing interactive programming and exhibits;
• Ability to demonstrate traditional American Indian practices and willingness to continue to learn new skills and refine existing skills;
• Experience with public speaking, such as leading public programs or teaching; and
• Comfortable working with tools and completing manual labor.

Physical Demands:

Must be able to sit for extended periods in the Yosemite Museum.

Must be physically able to complete manual tasks of the position. This includes ability to work with hands, ability to lift more than 20 pounds, ability to be outside for extended periods of time.

High capacity for repetitive tasks and conversations. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

The overall nature of the (Indoors/Office) position is sedentary, requiring little physical effort and occasional light exertion. There is occasional exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes.

How to Apply:

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Note:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.