12 Week National Park Service Internship in Accessibility (Remote Work in Southeastern US) NOW
YES (Youth Empowerment Stewards) Program:
Are you passionate about disability rights and accessibility in National Parks and public lands? Do you identify as having a disability yourself? Work with us and help increase access to the outdoors for everyone. Our health, our planet, and our collective future rely on diversity – in thought, ability, experience, and ideas. That’s why we need YOU. Become a Youth Empowerment Steward (YES) intern and help make the outdoors more accessible for all!
This position will work with the Southeast Region of the National Park Service and support the Region's Universal Accessibility Coordinator, who is based in Atlanta. The successful candidate should live in the Southeastern U.S. (North or South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Virginia is also acceptable.) If not based in Atlanta, the intern may work remotely. We would like the intern to start on June 19; however, we can move the date back if needed. The position runs for 12 weeks.
Stewards Individual Placements (SIP) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. YES interns focus on barriers to entry for individuals with disabilities in the outdoor workplace. Stewards, in partnership with the South Atlantic Gulf of the National Park Service, are seeking an intern who will assist the Regional Accessibility Coordinator in reviewing plans for special events associated with the 250th anniversary events (A250), in addition to developing best practices for National Parks for programs and special events, to ensure patrons of all abilities are able to enjoy the National Parks.
The YES intern will provide accessibility guidance (both legal requirements and best practices) for the regional office staff and the 73 parks in the South Atlantic Gulf Region. The YES member will support the A250 Committee and support the goals of engaging parks and people within the Commemoration with a renewal to engage diverse communities and incorporate accessibility in all we do for current and future patrons and staff.
Duties Include:
- Attend regular A250 meetings
- Take committee notes/minutes and ensure the notes are accessible for stakeholders
- Complete and provide accessibility trainings to others
- Work with the Regional Accessibility Coordinator to develop accessibility guide on best practices for NPS special events to meet the needs of various disability communities
- Work with the Regional Accessibility Coordinator to develop and share resources for special events on how to make them accessible, safe, and enjoyable spaces for persons of all abilities
- Draft a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for special events to look at accessibility for multiple groups
- Review documents and materials for 508 compliance
- Generate a list of universal accessibility best practices for National Parks
Required Skills
- To Be a US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
- To be between the ages of 18-24, or a Veteran up to the age of 34
- Adaptability and capacity to work in a fluid environment
- Ability to communicate and collaborate in a variety of settings
- Interest in history, education, and/or interpretation
- Ability to have reliable transportation to work
- Basic computer skills
- Communication skills
- Motivation to learn and experience new things!
Required Experience
- 2 years of college experience