Interpretation Member- Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service and Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, is seeking ONE Interpretation member to contribute to education programming and efforts alongside NPS Staff.

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

Start Date: June 2, 2025

Estimated End Date: 9/27/25 (Or 17 weeks after start date)

*a 17-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Nancy, Kentucky.

The Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Visitor Center is located 1-mile east of the town of Nancy, KY at 9020 West Highway 80. The core battlefield land is located 1-mile south of Nancy, KY, along KY-235. The Confederate fortifications are 9 miles south of the core battlefield on KY-235. Two historic homes associated with the campaign and battle are located 30 minutes from the park Visitor Center on the south side of Lake Cumberland, in or near Mill Springs, KY.

Nancy is a vibrant little community with restaurants, grocery stores, and post office. Somerset, KY (population 12,000) is 12 miles to the east. The immediate Somerset area offers plenty of amenities including restaurants, grocery stores, shopping, doctors, hospital, daycare, and a robust housing market. The closest airport is in Lexington, KY, approximately a 1 hour, 15-minute drive north. Larger cities within driving distance are Bowling Green, Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Knoxville, all are approximately 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours away.

More area information can be found at the Somerset Chamber of Commerce website.

For more information about Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: The member's primary duties will be staffing the visitor center desk and conducting interpretive programming for the public. The member will work closely with volunteers, NPS staff members, and park partners to provide information and informal interpretation in the visitor center settings.

 Additionally, the member will be responsible for a variety of traditional ranger programs including interpretive talks, museum tours, guided hikes, educational programs for school groups, and aiding in specially scheduled tours of the battlefield. There is a strong emphasis on incorporating audience-centered techniques into programs and ensuring that all programs meet the new standards set forth in the Foundations of 21st Century Interpretation and TORE: Making a Difference on Purpose.  There is a renewed focus to reach new audiences, explore contemporary meanings of the battlefield, and further our efforts to engage the local community, as well as our robust visiting public.

Collateral duties may include helping with social media platforms, historic weapons demonstrations, audio-visual maintenance, interpretive writing, clerical duties, and other duties as necessary.

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: All shifts are standard 8-hour days with 30-minute lunch breaks and two 15-minute breaks. The member might be required to work weekends, holidays, and special event evening shifts.

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 member and not provided by ACE or NPS

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to NTE $1,000 be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. This is for potential travel costs incurred commuting to and from the park and/or research facilities for assigned projects.

Travel: There will be a required one-week of travel to Washington D.C. during this position's duration. Details will be shared during the interview process but there will be travel funds associated for this trip.

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 Interpretive Training, Operational Leadership Training, Research and Archival Training, etc.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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 valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing any collegiate degree program and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as History, American history, World history, Military history, and the American Civil War.
• Knowledge of the causes of the American Civil War is preferred.
• Ability and willingness to be present and active in learning and development, understanding the field of interpretation skill sets, and attentive to assigned duties.
• Deep interest in being part of a strong team that is building a new national park site and meeting a more inclusive, diverse goal for stories told here.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting and standing at the Visitor Center desk for greeting park visitors and giving orientation information; or assigned workstation for program research and development. Manual dexterity is required for working on computers, office equipment, historic weapons demonstrations, and assisting park staff with projects and special events. Walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing all part of this position. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike or move over rough terrain when conducting battlefield hikes and interpretive walks.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Interns are required to carrying 15-25-pound boxes of brochures and park publication materials for restocking Visitor Center desk and tables.
• Environmental: Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Nancy, Kentucky ranges from mid-40s to mid-90s in the Spring-Fall. Mainly indoor office environment conditions are air conditioned and comfortable; indoor air quality is good, and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic. Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws, other hand and power tools, and historic weapons demonstrations (cannon and musket firing).
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel for research purposes. Part of this internship has a research component for each intern to find new, exciting information on diverse, inclusive topics to build our interpretive story at Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Eastern Member Manager, Emily Oostveen.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, 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, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, 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.