Build Up Technical Internship- Investment Planning Fellow

HPTC Build Up Technical Internship- Investment Planning Fellow

Position Details

Stewards Individual Placements (SIP) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health.

SIP in partnership with the National Park Service and Historic Preservation Training Center are looking for two individuals for an exciting new opportunity as a HPTC Build Up Investment Planning Fellows. The goal of this position is to provide a technical internship that facilitates the opportunity to learn the full scope NPS Park Planning.

The Park Planning Special Studies (PPSS) division leads National Park Service parks and programs in planning for a sustainable and inclusive future.

PPSS is looking for two interns to work alongside NPS staff to synthesize disparate planning processes related to facility development and sustainability. The goal of this effort is to provide parks with a standardized, simplified method to submit investment proposals for agency approval, while addressing multiple NPS program-level requirements.

Identified Project Goals for 2023 include:

• Develop a simple streamlined process to help ensure that new or rehabilitated facilities are sustainable throughout their intended life cycle. Helping the agency break free of the current “run to failure” model that results in poor condition, and unsustainable staffing, operations, and maintenance burdens.
• Interns will work alongside senior leadership to develop processes to help parks prepare for investment concept (IC) approval. Approaches range from broad overarching guidance to guidance focused on specific asset types (visitor centers, campgrounds, maintenance facilities, housing, etc.) or geographic locations (coastal parks).

Position Responsibilities & Tasks will include:

• Analyzing existing processes
• Conducting interviews with staff and senior leaders from multiple disciplines across the agency
• Identifying gaps and overlaps in protocols
• Developing guidance and tool prototypes for a new simplified synthesized process, and
• Presenting findings/recommendations to senior leadership.

The Investment Planning Fellows, with support from Park Planning and Special Studies (PPSS), will target the following goals:

1. Review the process and portfolio of facility planning in the NPS.

2. Review the Investment Review Board (IRB) structure, composition, charter, and processes.

3. Conduct initial qualitative interviews of key project stakeholders to understand current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as they relate to facilities planning and project approval.

4. Conduct a literature review on best practices for developing sustainable facility investments. This could include qualitative interviews with external organizations with similar needs.

5. Articulate overlaps and gaps in current facilities planning processes.

6. Define criteria for a successful investment concept planning process.

7. Develop, analyze, and implement strategies to close gaps and meet client goals.

8. Conduct check-ins with project management team throughout the project to review project analysis and interim findings and incorporate feedback into final recommendations.

Our goal is to provide the opportunity and support for the investment planning fellows to successfully complete the desired project, which will require significant management and coordination across the agency. This experience will allow for the opportunity for these fellows to grow and develop their skills and have a product they can be proud of at the end of their internship.

Staff from Park Planning and Special Studies will be available to assist the interns and provide guidance throughout the internship. Located in a program office, this internship will offer opportunities to collaborate with staff from across the agency, at the park, region, and program levels thus providing a broad perspective. During this internship, interns will have ample opportunity to participate in the policy development and develop facilitation skills. The Investment Planning Fellows will be mentored by their supervisor, a former Business Management Group Intern, as well as other Park Planning and Special Studies staff, and Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands staff.

The Investment Planning Fellows will be provided orientation to the park planning programs, the types and products of work, and invaluable networking opportunities with national and regional planning, facility, resources, business services, and compliance program offices. Activities for the fellows will be both formal and informal. Additionally, each individual fellow will work with park, region, and WASO leadership and staff.

Qualification Requirements:

• Ages 18-30 (Up to 35 with veteran status documentation)
• Responsibility and time management skills to handle remote supervision and remote work
• Very strong communication skills (writing/editing)
• Very strong organizational skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to pass a federal background check

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interns should be seeking a degree: preferably a graduate or undergraduate degree in Urban and Recreational Planning, Business Administration, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Studies, History, Anthropology, Historic Preservation, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration.
• Self-motivated and has a demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a larger team
• Organized, able to listen, ask questions, and think critically
• A strong writer, communicator, facilitator, and note taker
• Able to carry out independent research and analysis
• Previous planning experience
• Is proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, including developing presentations, and conducting virtual meetings
• Able to adapt to changing priorities and to balance multiple, and sometimes competing, assignments; and has
• Excellent customer service skills.

Benefits:

• $20-25/hr (Full Time, 40 hours per week)
• Health coverage available
• NPS Direct Hire Authority Eligible
• Networking across the National Park Service
• Involvement in dynamic team, get experience in and have impact on a national program in the National Park Service
• Exposure to many individuals in youth programs, historic preservation, and training world of National Park Service
• Ample professional and individual development opportunities to be determined by intern and supervisor

How to Apply:
Please be prepared to submit a resume and cover letter as part of this application.

Gwennan Richmond
Stewards Program Coordinator

304-860-0320

grichmond@conservationlegacy.org