Volunteer.gov/gov-America's Natural & Cultural Resources

Position	Living History at Grand Portage National Monument Grand Portage National Monument Partner Opportunity Site Link	Opportunity Partner	State Natural Resources Links Minnesota Home Page Minnesota Tourism Site Minnesota State Parks Volunteers
Address	P. O. Box 426 Grand Portage, MN 55605
Contact	Mike Plummer-Steen mike_plummer-steen@nps.gov 218-475-0123
Dates	5/24/2010--10/11/2010	Activities • Archaeology • Computers • Conservation Education • Research Library • Historical Preservation • Office/Clerical • Tour Guide/Interpretation • Visitor Information • Science • Back Country/Wilderness • General Assistance
Record Date	10/7/2009
Suitable For	Adults,Kids,Teens,Seniors,Groups,Family
Difficulty Level	Average

Opportunity Description:
Living History at Grand Portage National Monument

JOB TITLE
Grand Portage National Monument is looking for motivated, enthusiastic individuals and educators to work as historical, cultural and natural interpreters. We are currently accepting applications for historic, cultural and natural volunteer positions in interpretation.

DATES
There are approximately six positions available. They start May 24, 2010. Options to commit to an additional 6 to 8 weeks. Strong consideration will be given to applicants that state their availability dates, and commit to a minimum 10-week period. The Monument is open to the public from Memorial weekend May 29, 2010 until Columbus weekend October 11, 2010.

DUTIES
Would you enjoy living history, the outdoors and talking with and educating people from around the world? Come join us at Grand Portage National Monument where natural and cultural history and geography come together at an 8 ½ mile portage connecting the beautiful shores of Lake Superior to northwestern North America the Pacific and the Arctic. Volunteers at Grand Portage have many opportunities to learn and educate----help build a fur trade canoe of birchbark, make birchbark baskets, learn to safely demonstrate loading and firing a Northwest Gun, the primary trade flintlock musket used during the fur trade, cook historic recipes in a large reconstructed and furnished kitchen, staff areas such as a great hall, canoe warehouse, Ojibwe village and voyageur encampment and engage the visiting public in conversations about fur trade activities and lifestyles, learn about the Ojibwe community of Grand Portage and present programs and demonstrations about Grand Portage history to visitors. Do all this while wearing dress of the 18th and early 19th centuries provided by the monument.

SKILLS
Ability to present an interesting, informative and interpretive program to an audience consisting of 2 to 40+ visitors. Patience to answer the same question to the sixteenth consecutive visitor with a smile on your face as you perform station interpretation in the great hall. You will receive two weeks of training on Grand Portage’s historical, cultural and natural history, preparing interpretive programs and station interpretation, historic cooking and craft demonstrations.

COMPENSATION
In support of your valuable VIP contributions of 24 hours during a particular week, we offer a place to park your mobile home or travel trailer with full RV hookups: water, sewer, electrical, phone (on your established account) connections, and access to washers and dryers. Other housing is extremely limited in Grand Portage. A small number of shared housing units may be available dependent on requirements of other seasonal staff. We request a commitment of ten weeks or longer and attendance at seasonal training from May 24 through about June 2, 2010. Training includes an Ojibwe culture day, opportunities for first aid and AED/CPR, monument operations, and training in historic weapons demonstrations offered by a premier National Park Service black powder instructor and a hike along the Grand Portage footpath with our knowledgeable staff.

AREA DESCRIPTION
Grand Portage National Monument comprises 710 acres within the Grand Portage Indian Reservation. Reconstructed structures of the Monument are located on Grand Portage Bay in the community of Grand Portage. The community has a post office, convenience store, gas station, 100 room lodge and casino and a community center which includes a computer library within a mile of the Monument. The town of Grand Marais, Minnesota is about 40 miles west on Highway 61. Grand Marais is a small community with three grocery stores, auto repair facilities and the famous North House Folk School. The city of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada is 50 miles east on Highway 61, has all the usual amenities found in cities. An automobile is recommended but not required but could be very useful to explore the numerous sights surrounding Grand Portage. Just west of Grand Portage lies the wilderness of The Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

HOW TO APPLY
To apply for an interpretive position at Grand Portage National Monument, please submit a resume by email or mail. You may also attach a resume in the comments section (#18) to the APPLY ONLINE FOR THIS POSITION at located at the bottom of this announcement. Your application and resume should include your name, address, telephone number, the names of any universities attended and a brief synopsis of your work experience. Please provide the names of at least two references (preferably former or current supervisors). Please email your application/resume to Mike Plummer-Steen at mike_plummer-steen@nps.gov or you may post an application/resume to: Grand Portage National Monument, Volunteers In Parks, P.O. Box 426, 170 Mile Creek Road, Grand Portage, MN 55605 Phone: 218-475-0123

Come join us for a summer filled with camaraderie, adventure, fun, and the excitement of shared knowledge and experience! Thank you for your interest in interpretation at Grand Portage National Monument.

Apply Online Now