Overview

Organization Mission:

Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. This position is funded by the Partnership for the National Trails System. The position is supervised by ATC, but will also work closely with a consultant and team working with ATC on development of an Indigenous Partnership, Equity & Inclusion Strategy.

Purpose

This position helps advance inclusive opportunities on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) aspires to cultivate greater strength and resilience, within and beyond the organization, as we manage and protect while providing access to the Appalachian Trail for all. To build inclusive management, this position helps build inclusive practices for engaging with new people and new partners. It complements the work of the ATC, 31 Volunteer Trail Maintaining Clubs and ally organizations.

The work bolsters ATC’s strategic plan goal of engaging new people and new partners through Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) advancement by assisting staff, volunteers, communities, and partners in meeting their commitments to managing the Trail into the future by actively incorporating people and communities of different backgrounds, perspectives, thoughts and beliefs.

The Indigenous Research and Partnership Intern helps advance ATC knowledge about responsible research practices and partnerships with Indigenous Communities. There is a gap in knowledge, research, partners, and practices with indigenous peoples, tribes, nations, and communities among Appalachian Trail managers. This position will identify practices including research storytelling as community-based participatory research, as we work to find more culturally appropriate ways to engage, partner, and interpret stories with Tribal and Native American communities. Creation of a research tool for relevant documents, photography, and digital stories of histories places will be outlined and proposed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• The Indigenous Research and Partnership Intern will create a database of partners and contact, research a lit review of all state, federal, and tribal documents, processes, treaties, and research practices.
• Create a research tool to support additional documentation for stories, work, research, history, and partnerships.
• Write at least one blog post for A.T. Footpath (ATC’s official Blog) on the internship experience.
• Create historical documentation using ethical partnership practices of the relationships between the ANST and Native American tribes and identifies a range of cooperative efforts between tribes and parks, and forests. This will initiate with creation of agreements around responsible research partnerships and fostering the importance of culture & the right to self-determination.

Skills Required

The selected candidate must be able to work both independently with minimal supervision and cooperatively as a team with:
• Excellent persuasive writing skills
• Commitment to inclusive and equitable communication and research practices
• Excellent organization and high level of attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to problem-solve
• High degree of initiative and a team player
• Desire to learn and contribute

Physical Demands

• Ability to communicate with individuals by virtual platforms, phone, email and in person.
• Working on the phone or computer for prolonged periods.

Benefits

• Exposure to recreation resource management
• Opportunities to meet and learn from professionals in the field of conservation working in non-profits and federal agencies to manage the Appalachian Trail and other federal lands and trails
• Opportunities to work with and meet Indigenous nations, communities, and people.
• Gain essential skills in volunteer coordination, non-profit program administration, and cooperative management of a National Scenic Trail.
• Opportunities to attend multiple events, conferences, meetings, and summits, as well as online training and professional development.

Time and Location

This is a volunteer-based position offered with a small stipend. Position will work remotely.
Schedule will be defined in advance with supervisor, with a range of 5-10 hours of work per week.

Term

May 2021 (estimated) – December 2021

Compensation

Intern will receive a monthly stipend of $625, not to exceed $5,000.00.