Staff Spotlight: Alexandra Hernandez

Alex at Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area in Fort Collins, Colorado

NPS Photo

Meet Alexandra Hernandez, who is the Regional Program Manager for the National Heritage Areas Program!

How did you find yourself at NPS?

While I was studying history in graduate school, I was fortunate enough to work as a museum technician intern for Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in Montana in 2009. The internship was offered through a Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) collaboration between the National Park Service and Colorado State University. I had heard about the opportunity through the university’s Public Lands History Center. The internship opportunity was a phenomenal experience and I loved working for a small park unit, especially one as such a beautiful place like Montana! Having such a great experience there, I decided to do a Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) internship with the NPS Regional Office in Denver working as a historian for the Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program also in 2009. Having both park and office experiences in graduate school really opened my eyes to the amazing opportunities and careers available in the NPS.

Alex standing in front of the Casa Grande or "Great House," a four-story adobe structure

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What do you do for the NPS?

Currently, I work as the Regional Program Manager for the National Heritage Areas program. National Heritage Areas (NHAs) are designated by Congress as places where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. Through their resources, NHAs tell nationally important stories that celebrate our nation’s diverse heritage. There are 55 NHAs across the country. I assist seven NHAs in the Intermountain Region by providing them with technical and financial assistance to complete community-oriented preservation, conservation, economic development, education, and heritage tourism projects. These NHAs are Sangre de Cristo NHA (CO), South Park NHA (CO), Cache la Poudre River NHA (CO), Northern Rio Grande NHA (NM), Yuma Crossing NHA (AZ), Santa Cruz Valley NHA (AZ), and Mormon Pioneer NHA (UT).

Before the pandemic, I worked as the Acting Superintendent at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. It is a beautiful small park, where something new and exciting would happen every day. I loved that I could work on preservation projects one day and then visitor services the next. I loved that I really got to work with everyone at the park across multiple divisions in that role. It’s a hidden gem and you can get a sense of the diversity of the parks that we have. There was a great connection with the local community of Coolidge as well as a strong connection with tribal nations, particularly Gila River Indian Community. We would have meetings with them, and they would also come visit the park. During my time there, we had 10 staff and support from many volunteers for visitor services and interpretation programs.

I also served as the Cultural Resources Management Specialist for Rocky Mountain National Park, and as the Acting Program Manager for the Heritage Partnerships Program at the Regional Office in Denver (which includes National Historic Landmarks, NHAs, and Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant programs). There are a lot of people behind the scenes to preserve this history and culture of the parks.

NPS participation in the 2019 Denver LGBTQ+ Pride Parade

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How would you define cultural resources?

While there is certainly a longer definition, cultural resources includes historic buildings and structures, archeological sites, and other ethnographic resources found in parks.

What does it mean to you to be a woman in the NPS?

To me, being a woman in the NPS, especially an LGBTQ and woman of color, means that I feel an incredible responsibility to amplify and uplift the voices of my fellow colleagues who are also LGBTQ or women of color. It means taking proactive steps to make sure our voices, history, and accomplishments are heard, recognized, and appreciated. Our agency has a long legacy of brave women who have pushed the boundaries in their fields, careers, and parks, and I hope we continue to do that. I've worked with a truly amazing cohort of young women and LGBTQ colleagues who work hard everyday to ensure that those around them are empowered to make the NPS better and more inclusive.

Alex with NPS staff at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Arizona

NPS Photo

What advice do you have for youth and young adults thinking about a career at NPS?

I highly recommend that youth or young adults seek out internships or youth corps to try out different career opportunities with the National Park Service. It is a perfect way to see what jobs are out there. You can also gain valuable experiences and make meaningful connections with others along the way. The NPS collaborates with many diverse partners, some of whom have created unique opportunities that are meant specifically for young Latinos and other people of color. I highly recommend that young motivated Latinos consider applying for the Latino Heritage Internship Program, which places interns in NPS parks and offices across the country and provides mentorship opportunities. Anyone can work for the NPS and through these programs. They are developmental opportunities that provide a foundation for getting involved with NPS.

Glacier-Alex at Sherburne Reservoir in Glacier National Park in Montana

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When you’re not at work, what are some of your hobbies?

I enjoy hiking in the Rocky Mountains. I also restore and refurbish bicycles and volunteer at a non-profit called Bikes Together, which offers classes to women and the LGBTQ community. It was my primary method of transportation in college.

Youth Summit-2015 Preserve America Youth Summit at the Trujillo Homestead National Historic Landmark with NPS and Sangre de Cristo NHA staff. Alex pictured far left.

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What do you most enjoy about your job?

I love helping the public and community organizations do preservation work in their communities, while furthering collaboration and expertise with NPS. Some of the ways we help the community is by creating interpretive signs about historic buildings, and sharing guidance on how to best preserve a building in a community. I also support Park Rangers and NPS staff with the fun and educational Youth Summit Preserve America, which focuses on topics, such historic preservation, conservation, and heritage tourism. I see my role as bringing the mission of the NPS outside of park boundaries and into the communities. Many people do not realize that the NPS is more than just parks. We have many programs that serve our mission and also work with communities, partners, and the public to carry out this mission.