Oral History & Curatorial Member - Andersonville National Historic Site

Oral History & Curatorial Member - Andersonville National Historic Site

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), is seeking 1 Member to contribute to an oral history transcribing project alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit the American Conservation Experience website online.

Start Date: November 2025

Estimated End Date: September 2026 (full-time) OR April 2027 (if full-time/part-time for school)

*See below for details

Location Details/Description: Andersonville National Historic Site (Andersonville, GA)

Andersonville National Historic Site's primary mission is to tell the story of prisoners of war (POW) throughout all of America's conflicts. Located on the site of the Civil War's most notorious camp for Union POWs, Andersonville NHS operates the National POW museum. The park's museum collection holds a wealth of artifacts from the 18th through 20th century, including diaries, oral histories, and items made or collected by servicemembers who found themselves held behind enemy lines.

Andersonville National Historic Site is located in rural southwest Georgia. The nearest city with most facilities (shopping and dining) is Americus, GA (18 miles). Cities with a greater variety of amenities are within an hour's drive from the park.

For more information, please visit the ANDE subpage on the National Park Service website online.

Position Overview:

While the primary role for this position is transcribing the backlog of oral history recordings, the intern will also be cross-trained in museum operations and will assist during park special events and programs, which may include Wreaths Across America, Memorial Day and/or living history programs, as time allows. The intern will be joining a dynamic team of historians, curators and interpreters who are passionate about sharing the stories of America's prisoners of war. They are eager to share their knowledge and will serve as excellent mentors to whoever chooses to join them in their mission.

This project will allow the park to address the critical need of transcribing the backlog of existing oral histories. In addition, the intern will assist with recording and transcribing new oral histories throughout the year. The finished transcriptions will be used by park interpreters and public historians for research and to better tell the stories of America's POW. Transcriptions will be highlighted on the park's social media during the weeks leading up to National Former POW Recognition Day in April and National POW/MIA Recognition Day in September.

Andersonville National Historic Site's primary mission is to preserve the stories of America's prisoners of war. By not transcribing the backlog of oral histories, the stories of these prisoners of war will continue to be hidden from scholars and those with a general interest in their experience. There may come a time when technology outpaces the recordings and those sound files could be lost forever, so time is of the essence when addressing this need.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:30am - 5:00pm (Eastern) during summer months/school holidays; Mon, Wed, Fri 8:30am-5:00pm during school year. During special events the ACE Member may be asked to work on a weekend and possibly an evening. Work days are negotiable; we are willing to work around a school schedule.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week for full-time and 20 hours/week for part-time. During full-time, the member will receive a living allowance of $680/week, and during part-time, the member will receive $340/week. This allowance is provided to offset the costs of food and incidental expense and is dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: 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 the American Conservation Experience website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and is not provided by ACE or the National Park Service.

Travel/Commuting Allowance: The ACE member will have up to $2,500 to spend on eligible travel/commuting expenses and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

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 federal privacy act (FISSA); history of Andersonville; basics of interpretation.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or a 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 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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit the American Conservation Experience website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a BA/BS degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as public history, library sciences, archives, museum studies, or anthropology.
• Knowledge of oral history professional practices; familiarity with US military history; coursework in public history, archival science, library science, museum studies, history, or anthropology; creating metadata descriptions; organizing audio materials; use of AI and automated transcription tools; strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to sit at a computer for hours to transcribe interviews; perform repetitive tasks; learn about US military history; work on site at Andersonville National Historic Site; work independently with minimal supervision.
• Deep interest in public history, archives, research, US military history, and public service.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, typing at a computer, and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse, and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb ladders and stairs, and/or crouch.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 20 lbs., ability to move up to 30 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise, such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.
• Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member may encounter environmental conditions/hazards, including extreme heat, 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: 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 the 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 at: usaconservation [dot] org. 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 Program Manager, Andrew Garcia.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - 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 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.