Individual Placement – Interpretation Participant

The Student Conservation Association is seeking an Interpretation Participant for Camp Nelson National Monument in Nicholasville, KY, from June 1, 2026, to April 2, 2027. Responsibilities include designing exhibits, conducting research, leading tours, creating educational programs, and engaging with visitors. Participants must be aged 16-30 or veterans under 35. A personal vehicle is required, and housing is not provided. Compensation includes a weekly living allowance.
Position Summary


Camp Nelson National Monument is a new park that preserves and interprets the historic and archeological resources of a U.S. Army supply depot that became one of the largest Civil War-era recruitment and training centers for United States Colored Troops and an African American refugee camp. The park has partnered with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) to host multiple members beginning in May 2021. The partnership is mutually beneficial. Individuals have assisted NPS staff enhancing interpretation and educations programs and projects, visitor service operations, and interpretive exhibits, publications, and promotional material, and digital and visual. Individuals have also led daily guided tours of the grounds, gaining valuable front-line experience; conducted critical research that has greatly expanded the understanding of the site and has produced information used in interpretive exhibits, articles, and posts; created social media post and website projects; designed exhibits now featured in the Visitor Center and Museum and Reconstructed Barracks, conducted living history demonstrations; and created education-based programs for school groups.



Location


Nicholasville, KY



Schedule


June 1, 2026 – April 2, 2027



Key Duties and Responsibilities


The duties include: designing interpretive exhibits; writing site bulletins/articles and social media posts; capturing and editing photographs and films; conducting research; creating lesson plans; participating in community outreach and supporting other NPS units and other organizations; and assisting with the 160th Camp Nelson (2023-26) events, programs, and publications; and assisting with park operations in the visitor center and reconstructed barracks.



Marginal Duties



Roving park grounds to engage visitors through informal interpretation, learn park resources, and report any safety issues and resource damage
Participate in park-wide safety meetings, especially GARs for special events and programs
Support Volunteer Events, notably Park Day and National Public Lands Day
Assist with upkeeping park library, including the free library book box
Assist with maintaining pollinator garden.

Required Qualifications



Vehicle needed to travel to work.

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.



Hours


40 per week



Living Accommodations


Housing is not provided for this position



Compensation



Living Allowance: $700/week
Relocation Allowance: $1,100, paid once

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



Personal Vehicle Information


Required



Additional Benefits



First Aid/CPR
Interpretive Skills
AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement


The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.