Paid Internship - National Park Service

Paid Spring Partnerships and Philanthropic Stewardship Internship with the National Park Service

Position Description

The National Park Service (NPS) Office of Partnerships and Philanthropic Stewardship (Partnership Office) is searching for an undergraduate or graduate student who is interested in an opportunity to participate in partnership and philanthropy policy research, re-visioning, and outreach while gaining hands on learning and leadership experience. 

National Park Service Mission:  "… to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations" (National Park Service Organic Act, 1916). 

Partnership Office Program BackgroundThe NPS strives to fulfill its mission and encourage greater citizen engagement in national park programs and activities by partnering with educational institutions, organizations, businesses, and federal, state, tribal and local agencies.   The Partnership Office helps the NPS and its partners create, enhance, and recognize their collaborative work through training, communication, and policy leadership.       

Responsibilities Include:

• Projects associated with this position fall under current efforts to write an employee Reference Manual (RM).  The RM will be a “go-to” online reference document for NPS partners and employees, including service-wide park-based Superintendents and employees who work regularly with philanthropic partners.  The RM will be a companion document to Director’s Order #21: Donations and Philanthropic Partnerships (a document that defines NPS partnerships and philanthropy policy parameters).  The RM will guide employees as they put into practice, the policies outlined in DO#21.  Topics include establishing and managing partner relationships in their parks; developing partnership agreements; accepting, receiving and acknowledging donations; and developing donor recognition plans. 

        Internship projects will include:   

• Providing research, administrative, and analytical support to employees drafting the RM.  Reference documents include NPS Director’s Orders, The Department of the Interior (DOI) Departmental Manual, the NPS Code of Federal Regulations, and other DOI and NPS guidance documents. 
• Co-writing sections of the RM.
• Developing and designing employee training tools and visual products that will link into the RM as supplemental training attachments.  These may include process flow charts, posters, and slide shows or similar tools.        
• Providing assistance in formatting and designing the RM.    
• Strategizing a plan and methods to communicate the roll-out of the RM to service-wide employees.
• Vet potential and current donors, both corporate and nonprofit organizations, using research gathered from online library and governmental databases.  
• Conduct research on applicable laws, regulations and policies related to partnerships and philanthropy.     
• Conduct research and provide assistance in the development of new programmatic practices and policies to align with NPS goals pertaining to cause related marketing, corporate philanthropy, media partnerships, strategic philanthropy, fundraising,   
• Document findings and recommendations in written summaries, briefings and/or white papers.  Communicate findings and share recommendations with fellow employees.

Qualifications

This internship is designed for current graduate students who have a strong interest in, or are seeking a degree in, non-profit management and leadership, government and politics, public policy, policy research and development, public-private partnerships, or related areas.

This position requires,

• Knowledge and/or experience in applying nonprofit management and leadership policy and best practices. 
• Strong communication skills in a variety of settings, including but not limited to: web, formal written, and presentations.
• Skills in policy research, analysis, and formulation.
• Experience in utilizing design/desktop publishing software such as in-design, photo-shop, illustrator, and/or other programs.
• Ability to express findings in well researched documents, white papers, and briefings.

 Candidates should possess excellent organizational and interpersonal skills; have strong attention to detail, and an ability to prioritize and complete multiple assignments.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the internship, students should have:

Delivered visual and oral presentations to professionals in the federal sector

Effectively communicated with professionals in the corporate and philanthropic community

Increased their knowledge of the Dept of Interior and NPS (including gain an understanding of NPS parks, programs and partners) and how the NPS initiates, develops and enhances public/private partnerships with the non-profit and corporate sectors.

Enhanced their skills in public policy research, analysis and formulation

Improved their hands-on skill in design software

Improved their professional writing skills

Work Location

The Partnership Office is located in the Department of Interior Headquarters Building at 1849 C Street NW, RM 1351, Washington, DC 20240.  The closest metro stations are Farragut West, Farragut North, and Foggy Bottom.   Bus transportation is also conveniently located in close proximity to the office.

Work Schedules and Pay

This part time (24 hours per week) internship will begin at the start of the spring 2018 semester (or preferably earlier, depending on availability) through the end of the spring semester, with the possibility of extension into the summer.  Interns will be paid $14.00 per hour.  The successful candidate will be responsible for securing housing and transportation arrangements in the Greater Washington D.C. area.

Application Procedures

To apply, please submit an electronic cover letter, resume, and professional and/or educational references, and a one-page writing sample to Kathryn Hopps, Program Director for Experiential Learning, at khopps@umd.edu.  Application Deadline December 31.

For additional information about this position, please phone or email Jackie Dostourian, NPS Washington Partnership Office, at 202-354-2182 or Jackie_Dostourian@nps.gov.  

Note: This is an entirely different internship from the Digital Communications Internship with the National Park Service that had a best consideration date of November 26.  The application perisod for that position has closed.