Interpretation Members – White Sands National Park

Interpretation Members – White Sands National Park

Summary
American Conservation experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking 2 Members to contribute to paleontology and archeology interpretation projects alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date:  May 4th, 2026
Estimated End Date: May 1st, 2027
*a 52-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/description: Like No Place Else on Earth

White Sands National Park is like no place else on Earth. Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world’s great natural wonders – the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world’s largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.

The nearest local community to White Sands National Park is between 15 to 20 minutes from the park to the east in the town of Alamogordo, New Mexico. Alamogordo is a town of approximately 30,000 in population and has restaurants, major grocery stores, shopping, and hospitals. There is no public transportation access to the park. The next closest local community is Las Cruces, New Mexico about 45 minutes to one hour from the park to the west. Las Cruces is a city/town of approximately 115,000 in population and has restaurants, major grocery stores, shopping, and hospitals. If one cannot find something in Alamogordo, they can find it in Las Cruces. 

For more information about White Sands National Park, please visit the NPS website. 

position Overview:  

The primary focus of this position within the Division of Interpretation, Visitor Services, and Outreach at White Sands National Park is to provide exceptional interpretive and front-line visitor services. You will provide orientation, information, and informal interpretation at the visitor center desk, provide interpretive programming about the park’s natural resources and cultural history, and represent the park at outreach events. Your internship project will be developing interpretive programs and products about the ice age era human and mammal fossilized footprints found in the park that date back between 21,000 – 23,000 years ago. We are seeking an individual who is looking to grow their interpretive skillset, learn more about operations at a busy national park site, and gain knowledge on a variety of topics including geology, biology, paleontology, archeology, indigenous history, and military history. Park staff will provide formal and informal training and mentorship for the intern participating in the ACE project throughout the year. 

These positions meet an unmet need at White Sands National Park as the interns will create new interpretive programs and provide hands-on training for future interpreters that the permanent and seasonal staff do not have the capacity to establish. Without these internships visitors will miss opportunities to learn about groundbreaking Ice Age discoveries, reducing public engagement and understanding of these rare resources. 

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: Two 52-Week interns will work eight hours a day, five days a week including evening and weekend work with an anticipated work schedule of Friday through Tuesday for one position and Wednesday through Sunday for the other position. The days/hours may vary throughout the position. The park is in the Mountain Time Zone. Work hours typically include 8:30 am – 5:00 pm or 8:45 – 5:15 pm for visitor center shifts. If conducting the Sunset Stroll guided walk program, your shift will vary but typically do not go beyond an end time of 8:30 pm. Moonlight Hike programs, Full Moon Night events, and Astronomy events can have ending work shifts between 10:00 pm – 12:00 am although those events are only hosted during certain times of year

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility Requirements to be considered for this position. Members 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 (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: ACE members will have access up to $500/month for housing reimbursement. Securing housing is the responsibility of the members and not provided by ACE or NPS although NPS employees may be able to provide leads to the members to help guide them in their search. Affordable housing can be found in both Alamogordo (20 minutes from park) and Las Cruces (1 hour from park). 

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $1,000 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. 

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $250 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes fleece or rain jacket, hooded sweatshirt, beanie, boots, work pants, and/or hiking socks, 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 park overview and orientation and training in the following areas: interpretive program delivery, park resources and history, safety training such as Operational Leadership, customer service skills, interpretation skills, de-escalation skills, and public speaking. Professional development opportunities such as cross training days with other divisions and staff and attending online training are encouraged.

Qualifications 

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas. 

• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE’s insurance and liability requirements.

• 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. 

• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a [minimum of an AA degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as science (biology, geology, paleontology, ecology, environmental science, or a related subject), history (anthropology, cultural, museum studies, public, archaeology, indigenous, or a related subject), recreation management, natural resources, or related subjects.

• Ability and willingness to welcome everyone prior to conducting informal interpretation, answering repetitive questions with grace and patience, and providing correct change and instruction. 

• Ability to educate visitors in responsible recreation and/or other natural resource topics in accordance with National Park Service objectives and policies, to reinforce compliance with laws/regulations, to resolve problems, and to provide assistance to park visitors. Contacts may include dealing with some persons and/or groups that may be uncooperative, hostile and who have different viewpoints.

• Knowledge of public speaking, computer skills, software such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Zoom/Microsoft Teams, history, and science.

• Interest in paleontology and archeology is preferred. Experience with such subjects is also preferred but not required.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. Occasional physical activity such as hiking over rough terrain.

• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. 

• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 15 lbs., ability to move up to 30 pounds.

• Environmental: Incumbent will work in both indoor and outdoor settings. Position requires standing for long periods both indoors and outdoors. Position also requires periods of extended sitting at a computer depending on the day. Incumbent will regularly lead interpretive programs over rugged surfaces and in a variety of weather conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently, working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Indoor office environment conditions include good indoor air quality and temperature is controlled.

• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as sonic booms and airplane noise from nearby military installations. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment, moderate traffic, and visitor noise.

• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. Outdoors environmental conditions may include warm temperatures and adverse heat conditions which could include temperatures up to 108°F or hotter. Inclement and severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and flash flooding, gusty and strong winds, foggy or decreased visibility, and lightning events.  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 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. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding these positions please feel free to contact NPS Western Member Manager, Sabrina Caruso.

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 or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, 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, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, 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.