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Cultural
Resources Diversity Internship Program
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FOR PARTICIPATING HOST SUPERVISORS
What
information will I receive about the applicants?
- A resume or curriculum
vitae, a transcript, and one letter of reference with additional
contacts for references.
- A brief statement, no
more than 100 words, of why the applicant wants the internship and why
they are qualified.
How
many applicants will I receive?
- A typical summer position
has 3-5 applicants.
- The applicants are
recruited from liberal arts programs, such as history, anthropology,
and historic preservation-related programs, with a high number of
diverse students, and pre-screened for the qualifications you specify.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) will not forward a student
that the staff does not believe to be qualified.
- We strongly encourage you
to conduct at least one informal conversation with each applicant.
- The contact person at SCA
for applicant procedures is Justin Chow, 703.524.2441, jchow@thesca.org.
Can
I interview applicants?
- Yes, interviews are a
recommended part of the selection process. Interviews are conducted by
telephone; the project supervisor is responsible for calling the
applicants.
- If any applicants are
local to the project site, an in-person interview may be arranged.
- Applicants may contact
the supervisor if you give permission for your information to be
released.
- You may also ask the
applicant for references or recommendations.
How
long is the internship?
- Summer internships are 10
weeks beginning in June.
- Start and end dates
should be confirmed with NPS and SCA staff upon the intern's hire.
- Summer internships
include a 3-day Career Workshop in Washington, DC
during the last week of the internship.
- Interns are expected to
work full-time hours according to the project's schedule and in
accordance with standard practices in the office or at the site.
What
will be the intern's housing circumstances?
- Interns will be responsible
for locating and paying for their own housing.
- Both SCA and the project
supervisor will work with the intern to provide information about the
local housing resources.
- In cases of a remote
location, the supervisor's organization/park/office may provide
housing.
How
much time do I have to select an intern?
- Supervisors are expected
to conduct interviews no more than 5 business days after they have
received applications. Sites that wait longer to conduct interviews
should not expect all candidates to still be available for hire.
- The project supervisor
offers the internship to the selected applicant; applicants are asked
to respond within 2-3 business days.
- Selections must be
confirmed directly with SCA in order to enroll the student in the
Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program and begin the intern's
benefit services.
- Internships
with the National Park Service require a security clearance at least 30
days prior to the start date; intern selections must occur well in advance of
the start date.
How
do we pay for our intern? How is the intern paid?
- Funds for the Cultural
Resources Diversity Internship Program must be sent to SCA at least 30
days prior to the start of the internship project.
- National
Park Service units use the standing cooperative agreement with SCA and
must use IDEAS to establish a Task Agreement to send funds at least 30
days prior to the internship start date. Contact Turkiya L. Lowe
for templates and information on the agreement: 202.354.2266, turkiya_lowe@contractor.nps.gov.
- First-time, non-NPS sites
must complete a cooperative agreement process with SCA or an intern
cannot be hired. Returning non-NPS sites may be able to simply modify
an existing agreement.
- To send the funds or
establish a cooperative agreement, contact Susan Laware,
603.543.1700, slaware@thesca.org.
- SCA staff administers
payroll and travel reimbursements; interns will receive paychecks and
other reimbursement checks at an address they specify (frequently, the
work address). Contact the SCA or NPS coordinators to discuss intern
salaries.
What
costs are covered by the funds sent to SCA?
- SCA administers the intern's
payroll, accident/injury insurance, an agreement form, provides a
housing stipend, and costs of travel to and from the internship
project site.
- Additional costs related
to the intern's project such as business travel, project-related
training sessions, and security clearance (for NPS sites) are not
covered by the funds sent to SCA, and are the site's responsibility.
- Travel and related costs
for the Career Workshop in Washington, DC, are funded by the program.
What
is my role as a supervisor?
- Supervisors are expected
to provide guidance and direction for the intern. The most successful
internships usually involve a specific, achievable project for the
duration of the internship. Note that a challenging, incomplete
project is more satisfying than a completed project that lacks
challenge.
- Supervisors and site
directors should seek to build a friendly environment for young
diverse professionals prior to their arrival. Try to ensure that other
employees that the intern will meet are "on board" with the
site's participation in the Cultural Resources Diversity Internship
Program.
- Supervisors should
provide opportunities for the intern to be introduced to a range of
historic preservation/cultural resources work beyond the immediate
environment or project tasks. This can be in the form of workshops,
trainings, field trips, participation in staff meetings, and by
arranging for the intern to have a mentor that is unconnected to
his/her everyday supervisory chain.
- When a supervisor is
absent during any period of the internship, supervisors should arrange
for a substitute supervisor.
Who
are my contacts for this program?
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Host Sponsors
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