Oral Historian at Zion National Park
Description:
Working with the NPS Zion National Park, GBI is recruiting an experienced Oral Historian to assist park Cultural Resource and Museum staff with multiple projects. During this one-year appointment, the Oral Historian will conduct three to five oral histories of local pioneer families and retired National Park Service employees, which will encompass some travel to complete priority interviews. Additionally, the Oral Historian will compile information regarding Zion National Park oral histories in the archives and nearby local institutions (such as Southern Utah University) and generate a report for researchers and the public. The report's findings will be posted on the park's digital archive – NPGallery. The Oral Historian will also accession oral histories and research next of kin for oral histories without releases in the museum collection. The Oral Historian may work on other archives projects such as processing, cataloging, and rehousing archives. The oral historian will assist Zion National Park museum and archives staff with other duties and projects as assigned.
The Great Basin Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing environmental research, education, and service throughout the West. GBI’s Research Associate Program provides multidisciplinary capacity for professional support of diverse partnerships across western states while presenting emerging professionals with career-enhancing opportunities in natural/cultural/recreation resource management, ecological conservation, environmental stewardship, and related fields. The Oral Historian will gain exposure to policies and approaches for managing cultural resources on public lands. In addition, the Oral Historian will acquire additional experience in preparing for and conducting oral histories, as well as related archival and museum tasks, data management, and reporting.
Location:
Zion National Park is a unique geological, natural, and cultural treasure in southwestern Utah. Opportunities for sightseeing, hiking, and camping abound. Humans have occupied this area for approximately 10,000 years and archaeological sites occur throughout the park. Work will be based out of park offices in Springdale, UT.
Compensation, Benefits, and Timeline:
- Rate of Pay: $18.00/hour
- GSA M&IE per diem based on location of travel
- Medical insurance (health, dental, prescription, and vision) 100% of monthly premiums paid
- Housing may be included during the initial portion of the appointment
- Annual appointment beginning in October 2019, or upon availability and completion of a Department of the Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI)
- Full-time, 40 hours per week
Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree in History, Archives, Library Science, Museum Studies, or similar discipline;
- Prior experience successfully conducting all phases of an oral history (e.g. research, question formulation, interview, transcription, and storing);
- Ability to communicate professionally and effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
- Knowledge of prehistoric, historic and/or cultural heritage of the Park and surrounding landscape/community, preferred, but not required;
- Experience in collections management, including registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, housing, and conservation of collections of diverse types of prehistoric and historic period museum material;
- Experience utilizing microphones, recording devices, and troubleshoot malfunctions;
- Experience working with Microsoft computer programs;
- Capacity to work independently and within a team environment;
- Must be motivated, self-directed, organized, and detail oriented in order to balance multiple tasks simultaneously;
- Ability to complete activities involving prolonged periods of desk work, lifting and moving heavy items weighing 50 pounds or more, and regularly walking/driving between curation and other facilities; and
- Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on unimproved roads.
The successful applicant must complete a Department of the Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to NPS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning this position.