Oral History Intern

Oral History Intern

The Oral History Intern will work under the direction of the Collections Manager, gaining hands-on experience in all aspects of the oral history process. After an initial training and orientation period, the intern will both process existing interviews within Shaker Village's collections and conduct their own interviews. Work may include watching/listening to interviews, helping to create transcriptions and summaries, and entering key metadata into archival databases.

Additionally, the intern will learn how to research, write questions, and conduct their own oral history interviews to complete their internship. Topics that may be addressed in interviews include the institutional history of SVPH, Shaker and heritage craft and material culture, the evolution of SVPH's landscape, historic building restoration and preservation, among others.

This internship is a career development opportunity designed to give college students or recent graduates (2 years or less out from graduation) a venue for learning and improving practical skills. This is a temporary position (10 weeks @ 37.5 hours/week) that includes a $1500 stipend. Exact dates to be discussed, but the internship will likely run from Tuesday, September 22 through Friday, December
4. Interns will generally work Monday-Friday and may occasionally assist with weekend/evening special events (such as the annual Harvest Fest).

• Complete assigned project/s responsibly, with care and attention to detail
• Develop accurate, in-depth knowledge of Shaker life, culture, and history
• Behave in a professional manner at all times
• Adhere to the highest standard of ethics as outlined by the Oral History Association
• Follow the SVPH Employee Handbook, particularly with regard to policies for harassment/discrimination, drugs, weapons, and workplace bullying
• Work courteously and cooperatively with fellow interns, employees, and volunteers
• Maintain open communication with the Collections Manager about work assignments and expectations, the internship process, and any issues that may arise

• Currently enrolled or recently graduated college student with a strong interest in museum programming, studying history or other relevant fields (students from non-traditional majors are encouraged to apply; please use your cover letter to explain how oral history work is relevant to your field of study or your professional aspirations)
• Enthusiasm for Shaker Village's mission
• Willingness to learn new skills quickly
• Articulate and confident when speaking; outgoing personality comfortable interacting with the public
• Excellent listening skills
• Precise and attentive to details; good at performing repetitive tasks (like entering content into collections database) without losing focus
• Comfortable working outdoors and in indoor spaces that have only minimal heating/cooling
• Optional:
  Prior experience conducting interviews, producing oral histories, and/or public history research
• Optional:
  Prior experience interning, working, or volunteering at a museum, special collections library, or archive
• Optional:
  Prior experience with audio-visual equipment, databases, data entry, or other similar, computer-based operations

• Ability to maintain attention for considerable lengths of time
• Ability to sit and stand for considerable lengths of time
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs on a frequent basis
• Ability to operate computers and general office equipment

This position involves working in both indoor and outdoor environments, during all seasons and types of weather conditions. This position may require traveling to offsite locations to meet with known and trusted interviewees. This position may require some evening and weekend work. This position is subject to a background check and drug testing.