Nez Perce National Historical Park – Interpretation and Education Individual Placement

Northwest Youth Corps

Nez Perce National Historical Park

National Park Service

Interpretation and Education Individual Placements

Lapwai, ID

Position Title: Interpretation and Education Individual Placement

Position Summary:

Nez Perce National Historical Park is recruiting two 16- week (640 HR) Interpretation and Education Individual Placements beginning May through September 2026. Start and end dates are negotiable depending on candidate availability. Park operations are seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Weekly schedules will be discussed with selected candidates and may vary depending on park needs and Individual Placements availability.

Individual Placements will work alongside National Park Service interpreters to share the history, culture, and ongoing significance of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) and other stories connected to the park's many sites. Through this experience, Individual Placements will help visitors explore the people, places, and events that shape the park's stories.

Individual Placements will engage visitors of all ages through a variety of interpretive approaches including visitor center interactions, informal roving interpretation, short talks, and occasional scheduled programs. Individual Placements may also assist with educational outreach, special events, and other visitor engagement opportunities.

As part of the Individual Placement, participants will research, develop, and present interpretive programs such as short site talks, orientation programs, and children's activities including Junior Ranger programs. Individual Placements will learn how to connect park resources to larger ideas and themes that help visitors find personal meaning in park stories.

Individual Placements will receive mentorship from park interpreters and gain hands-on experience in interpretive planning, audience engagement, and communicating complex stories in meaningful and accessible ways. This Individual Placement provides an opportunity to develop skills commonly used in National Park Service interpretation and education careers.

Individual Placements will also complete a relevant project related to interpretation, education, or visitor engagement. Projects may include developing educational materials, updating Junior Ranger activities, researching park stories, assisting with outreach efforts, or supporting digital interpretation.

About Northwest Youth Corps (NYC):

Northwest Youth Corps was created in 1984 to offer teenagers and young adults an education-based work experience modeled after the historic Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. Today, we serve over 1,000 youth and young adults each year across a four-state region who restore critical habitat, build trails, lead volunteers, educate youth, and respond to local and national disasters.

Nez Perce National Historical Park, Spalding, Idaho

Nez Perce National Historical Park preserves and interprets places significant to the history, culture, and continuing traditions of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) people. Often described as "a park about a people, for all people," the park protects sites connected to Nimiipuu history, culture, leadership, and resilience across a broad landscape.

Rather than a single location, the park includes 38 sites across Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Montana, each connected to the homeland and stories of the Nimiipuu. Approximately 300,000 visitors annually explore Nez Perce National Historical Park to learn about the cultural heritage and history of the Nez Perce people and to experience the landscapes tied to these stories.

Visitors also encounter park sites while traveling along two national historic trails: the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, administered by the National Park Service, and the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail, managed by the U.S. Forest Service in close partnership with Nez Perce National Historical Park. Many travelers discover park sites while passing through the region and are introduced to the many stories and connections tied to this landscape.

The park headquarters and visitor center are located in Spalding, Idaho, along U.S. Highway 95 near the Idaho–Washington border and approximately 10 miles east of Lewiston, Idaho.

The area is defined by the Clearwater and Snake Rivers as they flow through canyons and rolling hills before joining near Lewiston. Vegetation in the area includes grasslands and sagebrush, and much of the surrounding countryside is agricultural and planted in wheat.

The nearby communities of Lewiston, Idaho (population approximately 36,000) and Clarkston, Washington (population approximately 8,000) provide major services including rental housing, an airport, schools, and hospitals. There is no public transportation to the park from surrounding communities.

Daytime temperatures from May through September frequently reach the high 80s, with numerous days in July and August exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter daytime temperatures generally range from the low 30s to the mid-50s. The climate in this portion of the Clearwater River valley is relatively arid, with limited rain or snow compared to nearby higher elevations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• 30% - Visitor Center Operations and Customer Service- Individual Placement will assist with the visitor center operations which includes staffing visitor center desk, operating a cash register, providing customer service, opening, and closing building, and basic cleaning. Answering questions and implementing projects related to Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) history and culture, environmental education, interpretation, and wildlife management.
• 20% - Public Outreach and Interpretation – Individual Placement will develop and present educational programs and maintain program supplies and equipment. Individual Placement will assist in developing and presenting interpretive programs (e.g., nature-based programs and walks, history programs) for park visitors of a variety of ages and backgrounds. Individual Placements activities will include roving interpretation at various park sites.
• 20% - Media and Communication – Individual Placement will help with positively promoting the park using social media, flyers, and the park website. Individual Placement will assist with drafting and preparing a variety of written materials and responses including news releases, articles, correspondence, and event flyers to increase understanding of the park mission, a special event, or related issues.
• 20% - Resource Management-Individual Placement will assist with monitoring endangered plants, creating botanical species lists, and surveying for aquatic and sensitive plants. Additional duties will include removing invasive plants (including hand-pulling), assisting with nursery and greenhouse operations, collecting, and processing seed, assisting with wildlife surveys, entering data, processing plant collections, and other duties as assigned.
• 10% - Special Events – Individual Placements will assist park staff in coordinating and managing special events at the park.

Required Qualifications:

• Ages 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans)
• U.S. Citizen or lawful, permanent resident
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Current driver's license and clean driving record
• Personal Vehicle to get to and from work.
• Strong communication skills. The Individual Placements will need to work both independently and with a small number of staff or volunteers.
• Ability to lift carry 30lbs.

Desired Qualifications:

• Academic discipline or area of interest related to this position: education, environmental science, biology, communication, graphic design, writing, photography, or history.
• Willingness to learn and participate in a team environment.

Duty Location:

Duties are performed within the greater Lewiston, Idaho area. Individual Placements will be required to make their own housing arrangements in the local Lewiston, Idaho area.

Terms of Employment:

Individual Placements will complete the 16-week program (640 HR) starting May through September 2026. The Individual Placements will average 40 hours of labor per week, minus holidays. Sick days and off days are allowed per request via the Nez Perce National Historic Park staff.

Program Benefits:

Individual Placements will earn $10,240 living allowance dispersed on a monthly basis throughout the 16-weeks. The living allowance is taxable.

Application Instructions:

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Interviews: Will occur as qualified applications are received.

Type of position: Individual Placement

Service Dates: May 2026 – September 2026

Length of Term: 16 weeks (640 HR)

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references and completely fill out the application form found at https://nwyouthcorps.workbrightats.com/jobsearch/?job_board_classification=Internships

Please select "Nez Perce National Historical Park – Interpretation and Education Individual Placement" when applying.

Additional Information:

If you have questions about the position, please contact Idaho Conservation Corps/Northwest Youth Corps Internship Program Department at interns@nwyouthcorps.org or Nez Perce National Historic Park Ranger, Mandi Wick at mandi_wick@nps.gov

All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check (criminal history and driving history.)