GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE: Visitor Services Technician (NPS, Manzanar National Historic Site)
The Great Basin Institute seeks to hire a Research Associate (RA) to enhance Visitor Services at Manzanar National Historic Site (MNHS). The RA will support the interpretation and preservation of the Manzanar’s stories and resources and, among other duties, will:
Primary Responsibilities:
- Expand visitor services and enhance interpretive opportunities by staffing the visitor center desk;
- Provide orientation, information, and explanation to visitors about Manzanar’s historic context, interpretive themes, cultural and natural resources, management, and visitor opportunities;
- Using previously prepared research and documentation, lead guided walks, present talks, and answer questions on subjects related to the site and its stories;
- Will initiate informal interpretive contacts throughout the site;
- Provide project support to address deferred/cyclic maintenance of interpretive exhibits/media;
- Digitize historic resources, such as scanning loaned or donated archives and photographs representing all eras of Manzanar’s history;
- Help transcribe and check for accuracy oral histories to help make them accessible for public use; and
- Highlight the successes of these projects, including deferred/cyclic maintenance benefits, FLREA project accomplishments, as well as services and programs provided by the NPS and its partners at Manzanar.
This position will have intense and extensive public contact responsibilities. Passion for history and compassion for people is essential.
Timeline:
- September, 2025 - February 2025, 24 wks;
- Full time (40 hours/week); and
- Schedule: Thursday - Monday, 8.5 hours daily (30 minute lunch).
Location:
Manzanar is located on the west side of U.S. Highway 395, 9 miles north of Lone Pine, California and 6 miles south of Independence, CA. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where the US government incarcerated Japanese immigrants ineligible for citizenship and Japanese American citizens during World War II. The Manzanar visitor center offers extensive exhibits, a 22-minute park film, a bookstore, a Junior Ranger program, and an information desk.
Compensation and Benefits:
Compensation: $19.30 hourly;
Benefits:
- Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums;
- $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
- Personal leave and holidays; and
- Access to Pro Deals.
Housing:
- Shared US Forest Service (USFS) housing may be available to the selected participant at additional costs. USFS dorms are present in Independence (10 minutes from MANZ) and Lone Pine (20 minutes from MANZ). These facilities have some shared rooms and some single rooms. All rooms share kitchen and common living areas. Rates are typically around $210 a month; and
- If shared housing is not acceptable the selected participant will be expected to procure housing on their own. MANZ will assist in this process as much as possible.
HOW TO APPLY: Visitor Services Technician (NPS, Manzanar National Historic Site)
