Protecting Our Heritage - Balancing past and present needs as a cultural resource specialist.

Hillary Conley at Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee 2018 (inside before opening).

What is your name and job title? Hillary Conley, Cultural Resource Specialist, Denver Service Center Planning Division

What experience and education do you have? I have worked for the National Park Service (NPS) since 2008, starting at the Southeast Archeological Center (SEAC), while completing my Ph.D. in Classics at Florida State University (2014).  I studied ceramic analysis at the American Academy in Rome, and I was the ceramics specialist and laboratory manager for a few years during archeological excavations in Tornareccio, Italy, sponsored by Oberlin College and Oxford University.  I worked at SEAC and taught as an adjunct professor at Tallahassee Community College until 2017, when I became the supervisory park ranger at the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.  In 2018, I became the cultural resource manager for three parks in Alabama: Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site,Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, and the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.  Finally, in late 2019 I started as a cultural resource specialist with the Denver Service Center.

What is a typical day like? A typical day for me at DSC (Denver Service Center) involves research for a variety of park planning projects: asking questions, following leads, reading primary and secondary sources, compiling and analyzing data, writing and editing, developing presentations, and working closely with other team members at DSC, NPS (National Park Service) scholars, and regional and WASO (Washington Support Office) specialists.  It's been great to work with such talented and passionate people.

What career advice would you give to someone who wants to follow a similar path? That's very tough.  Everyone is going to be on their own path, and in many ways my own career path has been a surprise to me!  First and foremost, be kind.  Kindness is a trait that is frequently undervalued, but those who possess it are some of the strongest and most intelligent people I know.  Be flexible and curious.  Opportunities may arise that you don't expect, and if you stay focused on only one path you may miss amazing opportunities and growth experiences.  On the other hand, if you know what you want, don't allow anyone to hold you back.  Be brave enough to stand up for yourself, others, and the great resources that we are entrusted to protect (and still be kind). Do your best in all you do and ask questions if you don't understand something.  Seek truth and answers.  Failure and success will both come, sometimes more failure than successes, so don't judge your path to others.

Hillary Conley at Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee 2019 (outside)

What is one of the bigger projects you are working on and what about that project might surprise people? I am working on a few special resource studies to determine national significance for potential new park units as well as working on management plans for current parks.  I think one thing that may surprise people is that I can't be more specific right now.  Some of the reports I am working on go to Congress first and are released much later to the public.  I think people might be surprised to also know just how much interdisciplinary research and planning goes into each potential new park as well as into management decisions at current parks.  It's a collaborative, challenging, and exciting process.

What are you the most excited about in your new role? I am personally excited about working with my talented colleagues at DSC, in the regions, and in Washington D.C. and learning more about the vast stories and resources we have here in the United States.  I am also excited to be part of these teams that are working on recognizing stories and resources that have not yet had the recognition they deserve and finding the best ways to preserve these stories and resources.