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(Sticky-search extended) Elizabeth M. and P. T. Reilly Internship, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ

Posted February 27, 2024

Position Overview
Northern Arizona University’s Cline Library invites applications for the 2024 Elizabeth M. and P. T. Reilly Internship. The intern will work closely with Special Collections and Archives (SCA) staff to develop an exhibit that explores the relationship between forests, forestry, and the city of Flagstaff, Arizona. The Reilly internship is an opportunity for the intern to research, design, and create both a physical display and a virtual online exhibit, to open and launch in October 2024. 

Flagstaff lies adjacent to the largest stretch of ponderosa pine forest in the United States. The forests and associated resources have shaped the economy, geography, and work environment of the city and Northern Arizona University for more than 100 years. SCA envisions the exhibit as an examination of the relationships between urban development, the environment, and the impacts of the timber industries on diverse communities in and around Flagstaff.

SCA is one of the most comprehensive repositories of Colorado Plateau history and culture. SCA’s 600+ unique archival collections contain millions of photographs, correspondence, journals, maps, films, and oral histories that document the human and natural history of the Colorado Plateau from a variety of perspectives from the 19th century to the present.

Learning Objectives

  • Research and synthesis using primary and published sources
  • Exhibit storyline development, content selection, and interpretive writing
  • Website design, website creation, and digital storytelling
  • Collaborative, team-based curation and exhibit planning
  • Public speaking experience, namely a presentation to library staff upon internship completion

Duties and Responsibilities

  • The Reilly intern, with the support of site supervisors and other SCA staff, will conduct research utilizing primary and secondary sources to identify the exhibit themes and topics and to focus the exhibit narrative.
  • The intern will then select images from SCA holdings and create accompanying interpretive text narratives. Image selections will primarily be made from collections material readily available online in the Colorado Plateau Digital Collections. Depending on the images selected, the intern may have an opportunity to research and improve descriptive metadata for those featured in the exhibit.
  • The Reilly intern will assume primary responsibility for the virtual exhibit, which will be developed using WordPress, bearing in mind that past online exhibits are preserved for long-term online enjoyment. The virtual exhibit will be developed by the intern in tandem with the physical exhibit, utilizing content across both.
  • The intern will also provide significant support for the development of the physical exhibit, from its interpretive panels and labels to its layout, design, and fabrication.
  • They will be expected to prepare a short work plan for how the physical exhibit will be arranged. A more comprehensive workplan detailing physical exhibit layout will be created collaboratively with SCA staff by the end of the internship in preparation for exhibit installation.
  • This internship supports NAU’s 100% Career Ready strategic initiative and recognizes the importance of the eight NACE career readiness competencies. By collaborating closely with SCA staff to conceptualize and execute the virtual exhibit, the 2024 Reilly intern will establish collegial relationships with information professionals.
  • The intern will gain skills in clear, organized, written and verbal communication to report findings to SCA staff and successfully manage the development of the virtual exhibit. In conducting research for the exhibit, the intern will employ critical thinking strategies to gather and analyze information from diverse sources, including archival collections, published materials, and other resources held by SCA and Cline Library.
  • The intern will be expected to demonstrate dependability, prioritize and complete assigned work tasks, and show attention to detail in all work products.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Current undergraduate or graduate student with a program completion date of August 2024 or later.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.0

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated interest in learning about or experience with web design or virtual exhibit tools such as WordPress, Wix, Weebly, Omeka, etc.
  • Interest or coursework in environmental sciences, information science, history, forestry, geography, or related fields.
  • Knowledge of or interest in the human and natural history of the Colorado Plateau, forestry, wildland-urban interface, or Arizona and Southwest history.
  • Experience with or interest in conducting research using primary source materials and archival collections, curatorial work, and/or exhibit development.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication and active listening skills.

Federal Work-Study eligible students are encouraged to apply.

Internship Length

The Reilly internship will run for 10 consecutive weeks between May and August 2024 and will depend on the successful candidate’s availability. The successful candidate will work with the site supervisors to establish a start and end date for the internship upon acceptance of the position. The workweek schedule offers some flexibility, but in general the intern will be expected to work 40 hours per week –32 hours onsite during SCA’s summer hours of Monday-Thursday 8-5 and 8 hours of offsite remote work on Friday. 

Compensation and Housing

The pay rate for the Reilly internship is $17.50 per hour (non-benefits eligible). This is an onsite internship and the successful candidate must be willing to relocate to Flagstaff for 10 weeks and underwrite their own food, lodging, and transportation. On-campus housing is subject to availability – for more information, please consult https://nau.edu/campus-living/summer-housing/. Renting a room in the community is also a possibility.

Education Requirements

The preferred candidate will be a highly motivated and organized undergraduate or graduate student in information science, museum studies, applied indigenous studies, history, or a related field working toward a career in a library, museum, or archives setting. Graduate students need to be currently enrolled in an accredited program with an anticipated completion date of August 2024 or later. 

Application Instructions

Application deadline: March 18, 2024. 

To apply, please submit the following documents to Melissa Lawton at [email protected].

  • Letter of application addressing your qualifications for and interest in the position, including links to any previous relevant projects you have created/designed, with an emphasis on how the position will support or advance your studies and/or career path.
  • A writing sample of approximately 100-200 words, providing an example of a text label/panel for an image related to forestry as outlined above, identified and selected from the Colorado Plateau Digital Collections and based upon available metadata. Include your writing sample in the same document as your letter of application.
  • Resume or vita which details relevant coursework, work experience, and includes names and contact information for three references.
  • Copy of current transcript (can be unofficial).

For more information, contact Melissa Lawton with any questions regarding the position or requirements for application materials at [email protected] or (928) 523-6766.

Full-time Opportunity Internships