Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program 2025 - General Interest Announcement - American Conservation Experience - EPIC

**Please note that this is a general interest announcement. This is not an announcement for a current opening and does not guarantee a spot in the program. Do not apply to this announcement.**

Are you passionate about working in cultural resources and want to know how to use your skills and resources within the NPS? Do you come from a background that is historically underrepresented?

If so, the Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program (CRDIP) could be the perfect fit for you!

About ACE and CRDIP

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities for young adults and emerging professionals of all backgrounds to explore and improve public lands while gaining practical professional experience.

The Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program (CRDIP) is a professional development internship that introduces students and recent graduates, from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the National Parks, to career opportunities within Cultural Resource Management in the National Park Service. Host sites provide work experiences that assist interns with building their resumes in this field.

CRDIP Program Details:

• 12+ week summer internship with host sites all over the country that change from year to year
• Positions range from archaeology, museum/archives, research, public outreach, interp/education, tribal engagement, GIS, and more
• Connects a diverse group of young adults sharing a passion for careers within the NPS
• Deepens participants' knowledge of and personal network within the NPS by fostering NPS mentorship relationships
• Creates a more inclusive and representative future for public lands

CRDIP position details:

• Weekly living allowance of $680 or $740
• Park housing or housing reimbursements provided by host site
• Possibility of travel and professional development reimbursements
• Network with and learn from NPS and ACE staff
• Professional development webinars throughout the term
• Americorps Education Award for Americorps positions
• Hours towards a Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate
• Direct Hire Authority (DHA) Certificate for DHA positions

For more information about ACE, please visit: usaconservation.org.

For more information about CRDIP, please visit: https://www.usaconservation.org/crdip/.

Frequently Asked Questions

What parks did CRDIP partner with in 2024?

• Boston National Historical Park
• Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park
• Colonial National Historical Park
• Cultural Resource Office of Interpretation and Education
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Fire Island National Seashore
• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
• Gateway National Recreation Area
• Independence National Historical Park
• Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
• Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
• Natchez National Historical Park
• Pipestone National Monument
• Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
• Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
• Steamtown National Historic Site
• War in the Pacific National Historical Park

Note: Host sites change from year to year and are typically located all across the country

What type of positions are available?

The 2024 cohort had 25+ positions ranging from archaeology, museum/archives, historical research, public outreach, interp/education, GIS, and more. Check out the CRDIP blog posts from 2024 and earlier to hear directly from members and the kind of work they did.

What are the Basic Qualifications?

• Members must be a US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts
• 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) required only for positions where driving is necessary.
• Eligible for participants age 18-30 (up to 35 for veterans, and 21+ for positions with work-related driving).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two or three-part criminal history check.
• For Direct Hire Authority (DHA) internships, applicants must also be actively enrolled in a postsecondary education program (i.e. returning to school in the fall) and will need to be able to provide proof of enrollment. (Note: Recent graduates do not qualify for DHA unless they are starting another postsecondary education program in the fall.)
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.

What is the timeline and time commitment?

2025 CRDIP Timeline:

Interest Application: Open now until applications open

Position Applications Open: ~February 2025

Position Applications Close: March-April 2025

Interviews Conducted: February-April 2025

Positions: May/June - August 2025 (Typically 12 weeks from start date)

Time commitment: Typically a 12 week minimum commitment for the summer

What are the benefits of CRDIP?

Beyond gaining experience working within the cultural resources field, CRDIP strives to provide the candidate with both professional and financial support for the duration of the term.

Benefits include:

• • Competitive Living Allowance: All CRDIP positions are paid positions.
  • Housing Provided: CRDIP members will be also accommodated in provided park service housing at no cost for the duration of the term or provided with a housing reimbursement. Housing arrangements vary by park site.
  • Gear Discounts: Pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on hundreds of established outdoor gear brands.
  • AmeriCorps Education Award: For AmeriCorps eligible positions, individuals will earn an Education Award upon successful completion of service hours.
  • Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: With this eligibility you can apply for related governmental positions as if you were already "in" the system as a government employee. (Note: Only 16-week long full time (40hrs/wk) positions will meet the minimum hours for a PLC certificate. However, accrued hours that do not meet the minimum hour requirement for a PLC certificate can carry over to future PLC projects.)
  • Direct Hiring Authority (DHA): Members who successfully complete a DHA position will be eligible for non-competitive, direct appointment into a permanent, full-time federal position
  • Share outs: Members have the chance to share their experience through share outs, such as blogs and social media posts, as well as end-of-term presentations with the CRDIP cohort and NPS/ACE staff

How to Apply

Applications will open here for the 2025 CRDIP cohort in early spring 2025. We're looking forward to seeing your application then. If you are curious to learn more about CRDIP please fill out our general interest form!

CRDIP 2025 Interest Form: https://forms.gle/FyssDSz8BrULdLiq7

Why submit a general interest form?

• Connect with recruiters early through 1:1 feedback and Q&A sessions
• Get a jumpstart on your application and receive tips for a strong CRDIP application
• Be the first to know about upcoming CRDIP information
• Know if you're eligible for CRDIP before submitting a full application

While this interest form is not an application for a current opening and does not guarantee a spot in the program, submitting a form will allow us to better guide you in the 2025 CRDIP and ACE application process. When positions open in early 2025, we will invite you to submit applications for specific positions.

If you have any questions regarding CRDIP please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Signature Programs Manager, Andrew Garcia at agarcia@usaconservation.org.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee 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, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, 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.

**Please note that this is a general interest announcement. This is not an announcement for a current opening and does not guarantee a spot in the program. Do not apply to this announcement.**