The Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) Interpretation Internship (DHA) – ONSITE – Salem Maritime National Historic Site & Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

Start/End Dates: May 13th, 2024 – August 9th, 2024 (12 weeks)

Compensation: $720 per week 

Application Due: February 5, 2024

APPLY HERE

The Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) seeks to engage Latino undergraduates and recent graduates ages 18 – 30, and up to 35 for veterans, for this unmatched leadership training program that is focused in the cultural and natural resource management. You must be (additional requirement):

  • a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

  • To qualify for a DHA-RAI position, applicants must be enrolled in a 4-year institution of higher education in the semester FOLLOWING the internship

(Fall 2024)

* NO, a personal vehicle is NOT required for this position. Note: No, bus and other public transportation is available. 

 

Position Description: 

Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites seek an intern to research, refine, and delivery of bilingual interpretive programs and continue active outreach efforts with local Latinx community groups. 

In 2020, a Latino Heritage Intern at Salem Maritime developed a “Latinx Commitment and Engagement Plan” after working with members of the local Latinx community to identify specific recommendations for overall improvement of inclusion at the Park. This plan was built upon and refined by Latino Heritage Interns in 2021, 2022, and 2023.  

The Latino Heritage Intern will use interpretive themes and essential questions identified in Salem Maritime’s Foundation Document and “Visitor Experience Plan” (2020) and Saugus Iron Works’s Foundation Document and “Visitor Experience Plan” (2022) to research and develop audience-centered interpretive experiences focused on the natural and/or cultural resources at Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works. Potential programs may include, historic house tours, historic maritime programs, nature walks, tide walks, etc.   

The goal of the project will be to create new park experiences, attractive to the local Latinx community. 23% of the population of Essex County (where Salem and Saugus are located) identify as Hispanic or Latino. These programs may be bilingual but will primarily be geared toward Spanish speakers. This aligns with a 2017 Strategic Plan of Salem Maritime and Saugus National Historic Sites, which identified the following strategy as an approach for park staff to use for fiscal years 2018 through 2023: Prioritize working with under-represented students and groups to expand education programming. 

Throughout the summer, the intern will work to expand existing programs and connections within the Latinx community, specifically in the historic district, El Punto, a predominantly Dominican neighborhood which neighbors Salem Maritime. The intern will need to reach out to identified community contacts, as well as establish new contacts and collaborations with community leaders and organizations in Essex County. The intern will also help represent the park at community-organized special events and outreach programs.

The DHA-RA internship project deliverables will include planning, preparing, promoting, and delivering:  

  • A bilingual (Spanish-English) audience-centered interpretive and educational program at Salem Maritime and/or Saugus Iron Works, presented multiple times. 
  • A special Latino Conservation Week event hosted at Salem Maritime NHS and featuring community partners, including the North Shore Community Development Coalition 
  • Written outlines, program supplies and materials, and any external vendor contacts, etc. for each program developed and presented.  
  • Capture best practices for bilingual interpretive/education programs in the living document, “Latinx Commitment and Engagement Plan” (2020). Present recommendations to the Park Operations Team.  

At Salem Maritime & Saugus Iron Works staff have determined working with adult interns as a priority and we have been hosting LHIP and HBCU interns since 2018. Each year we have evaluated areas the park staff can improve upon to reach our goals of inclusive hiring and program creation. It has not always been easy for the intern to come to a new area and work with new staff. Visitor Experience & Community Engagement staff take regular JEDI related trainings and have worked diligently to create a safe space for all. We have witnessed the significant impacts of hosting adult interns in these programs. From building new partnerships to developing inclusive content for on-line and on-site visitors, we feel we are in a solid place to grow this internship program – creating an employment path for young adults while serving all communities around each park unit.  

 

Responsibilities:

The Latino Heritage Intern will use interpretive themes and essential questions identified in Salem Maritime’s Foundation Document and “Visitor Experience Plan” (2020) and Saugus Iron Works’s Foundation Document and “Visitor Experience Plan” (2022) to research and develop audience-centered interpretive experiences focused on the natural and/or cultural resources at Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works. Potential programs may include, historic house tours, historic maritime programs, nature walks, tide walks, etc.   

The goal of the project will be to create new park experiences, attractive to the local Latinx community. 23% of the population of Essex County (where Salem and Saugus are located) identify as Hispanic or Latino. These programs may be bilingual but will primarily be geared toward Spanish speakers. This aligns with a 2017 Strategic Plan of Salem Maritime and Saugus National Historic Sites, which identified the following strategy as an approach for park staff to use for fiscal years 2018 through 2023: Prioritize working with under-represented students and groups to expand education programming. 

Throughout the summer, the intern will work to expand existing programs and connections within the Latinx community, specifically in the historic district, El Punto, a predominantly Dominican neighborhood which neighbors Salem Maritime. The intern will need to reach out to identified community contacts, as well as establish new contacts and collaborations with community leaders and organizations in Essex County. The intern will also help represent the park at community-organized special events and outreach programs.

The DHA-RA internship project deliverables will include planning, preparing, promoting, and delivering:  

  • A bilingual (Spanish-English) audience-centered interpretive and educational program at Salem Maritime and/or Saugus Iron Works, presented multiple times. 
  • A special Latino Conservation Week event hosted at Salem Maritime NHS and featuring community partners, including the North Shore Community Development Coalition 
  • Written outlines, program supplies and materials, and any external vendor contacts, etc. for each program developed and presented.  
  • Capture best practices for bilingual interpretive/education programs in the living document, “Latinx Commitment and Engagement Plan” (2020). Present recommendations to the Park Operations Team.  

At Salem Maritime & Saugus Iron Works staff have determined working with adult interns as a priority and we have been hosting LHIP and HBCU interns since 2018. Each year we have evaluated areas the park staff can improve upon to reach our goals of inclusive hiring and program creation. It has not always been easy for the intern to come to a new area and work with new staff. Visitor Experience & Community Engagement staff take regular JEDI related trainings and have worked diligently to create a safe space for all. We have witnessed the significant impacts of hosting adult interns in these programs. From building new partnerships to developing inclusive content for on-line and on-site visitors, we feel we are in a solid place to grow this internship program – creating an employment path for young adults while serving all communities around each park unit.

 

Qualifications:

Education Background: Coursework/degrees in the following subjects are a plus, but not required: History, Anthropology, Sociology, Biology, Earth Sciences, Communications 

Skills: 

  • Works well with people from a variety of backgrounds 

  • Holds themselves accountable for high-quality and timely results

  • Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to details 

  • Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect 

  • Expresses information clearly and effectively to groups of all sizes and backgrounds 

  • Works with others to achieve shared goals 

  • Writes and speaks Spanish fluently 

 

Direct Hire Authority (DHA)
Direct Hire Authority (DHA) at the successful conclusion of their internship. DHA status enables an agency to hire, after public notice is given, any qualified applicant. A DHA expedites hiring by eliminating competitive rating and ranking, veterans’ preference, and “rule of three” procedures. For more information, please click HERE.

 

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.


Published: January 23rd, 2024

Author: Alan Thibeault