Internship - Museum and Visitor Center Intern

Conservation Begins Here

Museum and Visitor Center Internship

Position Summary

The Steamboat Bertrand Museum collection, housed in the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge visitor center, consists primarily of over 250,000 artifacts recovered from the wreck of the Steamboat Bertrand, which sank in the Missouri River in 1865. The Steamboat Bertrand was excavated in the late 1960s. The member will assist refuge staff and volunteers in all aspects of Steamboat Bertrand Museum and DeSoto Visitor Center operations. The work schedule will be 40 hours per week, including at least one weekend day.

Schedule

May 12, 2025 - August 22, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Entering cataloging data into the museum collection database, including object measurements, descriptions, photographs, and other missing information
• Digitizing slides and paper museum records
• Assisting staff with Integrated Pest Management and environmental monitoring in museum storage and office spaces
• Working with staff and volunteers to rehouse textile objects using approved archival materials
• Rotating objects from storage to exhibit and vice versa and preparing interpretive text for newly exhibited items
• Developing plans for improved outreach to local civic and business organizations, as well as those in the Greater Omaha Metro area
• Assisting with museum social media outreach
• Performing museum housekeeping in the storage area
• Leading/assisting with tours and educational visits to the refuge and Bertrand Museum
• Assist with transitions to new cataloging software system.

Marginal Duties

• Staffing the visitor center desk
• Assisting with other visitor center operations as needed.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or greater
• Driver's license and ability to get to the job site at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge just 30 miles north of Omaha, Nebraska

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some college, preferably with classes in history, anthropology, or archaeology
• Some experience working with museum collections or archives
• Some work with relational databases

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Low cost housing on the refuge may be an option but likely the member would have to find private accommodations in Missouri Valley, Iowa or Blair, Nebraska or Omaha, Nebraska

Compensation

• Living allowance of $800/week
• To/From Travel allowance of $1,100 (paid once)

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer.

Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.