Summer Internships: State Park Curatorial Services in Austin, TX

INTERNSHIPS AT TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

No paid intern opportunities will be available in 2012.
There are many additional internship opportunities on the Department’s website at various State parks throughout the State. The below internships are specifically for the four positions available for Curatorial Services at Austin headquarters. Applications and more information at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/jobs/summer_internships/

Curatorial Services – State Parks
Austin HQ, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX or Airport Commerce Park, (3.5 miles from HQ)
Housing: No housing
Contact: Joanne Avant, (512) 389-8562 joanne.avant@tpwd.state.tx.us
Or Lori Reiley, (512) 389-4746 lori.reiley@tpwd.state.tx.us
Title: Curatorial Intern
Posting Number: 12-01-003
Position Reference Number: SP15
Responsibilities & Duties:
Under the direction of the Chief Curator, this position will serve as an unpaid intern for the State Park Division. The Intern will be given two specific collection management projects to complete in the 10-week internship. Project 1 is to perform the research and then write up a topic, such as lighting devices, for inclusion in the Civilian Conservation Corps park specific collection plans. Project 2 is to assist with inventorying the interpretive collections, including record referencing and reconciliation. The Intern will also have the opportunity to assist and work with the Curatorial Services staff in the ongoing collection management and object handling work of
the interpretive collections including accessioning, cataloging, photographing, inventorying and re-housing/storing.
Intern will receive on-the-job training in collection management and object handling and will learn to utilize computerized collection database management software, digital camera, and scanner. The Intern will also gain knowledge in program operations, program administration
and Texas Parks and Wildlife philosophy concerning historical, natural and cultural resources. Conclusion of projects will facilitate completion of the collection plans and fill gaps in existing research and subsequently the installation of relevant objects and new interpretation; and help to ensure the physical preservation and integrity of the collections.
Requirements:
(1) Minimum of 12 semester hours from an accredited college.
(2) Must meet program eligibility;
(3) May perform some duties outdoors in all weather types.
Working Conditions:
Ten-week position includes traditional schedules with hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday; Some overnight travel required.

Curatorial Services – State Parks
Austin HQ, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX or Airport Commerce Park, (3.5 miles from HQ)
Housing: No housing
Contact: Joanne Avant, (512) 389-8562 joanne.avant@tpwd.state.tx.us
Or Lori Reiley, (512) 389-4746 lori.reiley@tpwd.state.tx.us
Title: Curatorial Intern
Posting Number: 12-01-003
Position Reference Number: SP16
Responsibilities & Duties:
Under the direction of the Chief Curator, this position will serve as an unpaid intern for the State Park Division. The Intern will be given two specific collection management projects to complete in the 10-week internship. Project 1 is to assist with the inventorying and reconciliation of
reference library/archival collections. Project 2 is to assist with inventorying the interpretive collections, including record referencing and reconciliation. The Intern will also have the opportunity to assist and work with the Curatorial Services staff in the ongoing collection management and object handling work of the interpretive collections including accessioning,
cataloging, photographing, inventorying and re-housing/storing. Intern will receive on-the-job training in collection management and object handling and will learn to utilize computerized collection database management software, digital camera, and scanner. The Intern will also gain knowledge in program operations, program administration and Texas Parks and Wildlife philosophy concerning historical, natural and cultural resources. Conclusion of projects
will facilitate completion of the collection plans and fill gaps in existing research and subsequently the installation of relevant objects and new interpretation; and help to ensure the physical preservation and integrity of the collections.
Requirements:
(1) Minimum of 12 semester hours from an accredited college.
(2) Must meet program eligibility;
(3) May perform some duties outdoors in all weather types.
Working Conditions:
Ten-week position includes traditional schedules with hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday; Some overnight travel required.

Curatorial Services – State Parks
Austin HQ, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX or Airport Commerce Park, (3.5 miles from HQ)
Housing: No housing
Contact: Joanne Avant, (512) 389-8562, joanne.avant@tpwd.state.tx.us
Or Lori Reiley, (512) 389-4746, lori.reiley@tpwd.state.tx.us
Title: Curatorial Intern (2 positions)
Posting Number: 12-01-003
Position Reference Number: SP17
Responsibilities & Duties:
Under the direction of the Chief Curator this position will serve as an unpaid intern for the State Park Division and will work with Curatorial and Exhibit Shop staff. The Intern will be given a specific collection management project to complete in the 10-week internship. Project is to assist with the digitalization of Interpretive Services Branch project records and photographic collections, specifically Exhibit Shop and Interpretive Planner records and files. Intern will receive on-the-job training and will learn to utilize computerized collection database management software, file management software, digital camera, and scanner. The Intern will also gain knowledge in program operations, program administration and Texas Parks
and Wildlife philosophy concerning historical, natural and cultural resources. Conclusion of projects will facilitate completion of the collection plans and fill gaps in existing research and subsequently the installation of relevant objects and new interpretation; and help to ensure the physical preservation and integrity of the collections.
Requirements:
(1) Minimum of 12 semester hours from an accredited college.
(2) Must meet program eligibility;
(3) May perform some duties outdoors in all weather types.
Working Conditions:
Ten-week position includes traditional schedules with hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday; Some overnight travel required.

Temporary Position Available: Project Archivist

The Fort Larned Historical Society, owner and operator of the Santa Fe Trail Center Museum/Library, and Pawnee County have partnered for a major digitization project made possible through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and local funding by Pawnee County.

Responsibilities:

The Museum is seeking a full time Project Archivist for a limited term of one year beginning immediately. The Project Archivist will play an essential role in the digitization project. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Process and create descriptive aids for backlogged and new archival donations.

• Work with Digitization Committee to select archival materials to be digitized.

• Participate in the scanning process and data entry of digitized archival materials (photographs, paper records etc.).

• Provide guidance and supervision to volunteers involved in scanning archival materials.

• Work at both digitization project locations, Santa Fe Trail Center and Pawnee County Courthouse.

The Project Archivist will work closely with the Curator by implementing a controlled vocabulary and metadata (data about each archival item) for the digitization content management software database. In assistance with the Curator, Director, and Digitization Committee, the Project Archivist will help in the development and integration of digitization procedures within current museum policies.

Museum and Community Information:

The Santa Fe Trail Center is an American Association of Museums accredited history museum telling the story of the transportation route once known as the Santa Fe Trail. The exhibits show this freighting trail during its commercial days and through the time of settlement along the ruts of the old trail. The museum is located just outside the small rural community of Larned, Kansas, a town of 4,500. The museum is two miles from Larned and four miles from Fort Larned National Historic Site, operated by the National Park Service. Larned is 120 miles from Wichita, KS, 300 miles from Kansas City, MO and 400 miles from Denver, CO.

Education and Experience Requirements:

A potential candidate should have a bachelor’s degree or higher with experience in archival studies. Candidates need to demonstrate an understanding of archival management practices and processing, have strong interpersonal skills, good verbal/written communication skills, and be self-motivated. Knowledge of PastPerfect collections management software, Microsoft Office, and experience with digitization is preferred.

Application information:

This position is offered as a full time limited term position of one year with a salary range of $10 to $12 per hour depending upon education and experience. Review of applications will begin on June 15, 2010. Applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, and names and contact information for three references via U.S. mail or email to:

Dan Grzesiak, Museum Curator

Santa Fe Trail Center

1349 K-156 Hwy

Larned, KS 67550

curator@santafetrailcenter.org

(620) 285-2054