Position Title: GIS and Storytelling Individual Placement

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps North Carolina

Site Location: Cherokee, NC

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants who submit their application by 6/26/2026.

Dates of Employment:

• Start Date: August 17, 2026
• End Date: December 11, 2026

Purpose:

The mission of Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) is to empower young adults through meaningful service that benefits North Carolina’s land, water, and communities. CCNC is a program of Conservation Legacy that partners with public land managers and local organizations across North Carolina to engage motivated young adults (ages 18–30, veterans up to 35) in impactful service.

Stretching 330-miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by Patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780.

Position Overview:

The GIS and Storytelling Individual Placements will support the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVT) in a collaborative effort to center Indigenous knowledge, stories, and priorities in the interpretation of the Trail.

These positions uplifts Indigenous perspectives—especially those of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI)—on landscapes and histories often reflected through colonial narratives. The intern will conduct community-based research, build relationships with EBCI members and cultural institutions, and gather insights that inform interpretive signage, storytelling, and land acknowledgment practices along the OVT.

Final Deliverable: A written report summarizing community insights, research findings, and recommendations for integrating Cherokee perspectives into future OVT interpretation, plus supporting materials (e.g., story maps, presentations, or other public-facing tools).

Description of Duties:

• Build relationships with EBCI community members, Tribal departments, and cultural institutions.
• Facilitate engagement sessions, oral history interviews, or storytelling gatherings to understand community perspectives.
• Support GIS mapping and cultural research of significant sites along/adjacent to OVT (training available).
• Collaborate with CCNC staff to document respectful, community-led approaches to cultural data gathering and sharing.
• Work with OVT staff to translate research findings into actionable recommendations for signage, interpretation, and engagement materials.
• Draft a final report and contribute to presentations or story maps summarizing findings.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a background check.
• Familiarity with, or lived experience in, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians or other Indigenous communities.
• Interest/experience in Indigenous research methods, cultural preservation, or community engagement.
• Strong intercultural communication and facilitation skills.
• Self-directed, organized, and collaborative.
• Experience compiling community reports, project summaries, or interpretive materials.
• Familiarity with GIS mapping software (or willingness to learn).
• Comfort presenting findings to small or large groups.
• Knowledge of OVT, Tribal historic preservation, or public interpretation projects.

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, the ability to move across varied terrain, the use of program-specific tools, and a range of technologies on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time requirements:

• This position is expected to serve 40 hours each week, but exact service schedules may vary

Orientation and Training:

• Members will receive an orientation including AmeriCorps prohibited/unallowable activities, plus role-specific training.

Benefits:

• Hourly Wage: $20/hr
• $400 for Professional Development During Term
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions with a counseling or work-life balance specialist
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni network)
• Potential to fulfill academic internship requirements (institution-dependent)
• Exposure to career pathways in cultural resource management, interpretation, and public lands

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

• Program Contact information: Rachel Robinson, rrobinson@conservationlegacy.org
• Service Site Contact information: William Caldwell, william_caldwell@nps.gov