Cultural Demonstrator (Yosemite Conservancy, Yosemite National Park)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with Yosemite Conservancy at Yosemite National Park, is recruiting 1 Cultural Demonstrator to work cooperatively with National Park Service staff to bring knowledge, innovation and creative thinking to the Indian Cultural Museum at Yosemite (YOSE). The Cultural Demonstrator will demonstrate the traditional skills of Yosemite’s indigenous people and engage visitors in conversations about the lifestyle of these people and how their story is relevant to the overall story of the park. The purpose of visitor contacts is to impart knowledge, understanding and respect of traditional Indian beliefs and their lifestyle, both past and present. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Research the natural and cultural resources within Yosemite National Park and the greater Sierra Nevada mountains ecosystem, and use this information to educate park visitors about important resource topics;
• Demonstrate traditional and contemporary native skills to large groups of visitors Skills learned could include making cordage, traditional pinenut beads, basket production using techniques of the local area, coiling and twining; making of cordage and other various uses of native cultural materials, learn and present the production of projectile points and other tools;
• Provide detailed information to visitors about the history of local Indian people from the pre-contact times to present day;
• Develop and present interpretive demonstrations, lectures, structured talks, impromptu talks, guide tours and other presentations about the Indian Cultural resources of the park to a variety of individuals and groups, using teaching methods and devices geared to the characteristics and interests of the audiences;
• Involve visitors in various activities such as acorn preparation, game playing, cordage making, and more; 
• This job will have some field components- including working outside on umachas, chukkas and other traditional exhibit structures, and working in all weather with volunteer or education groups; and
• Provide documentation of programs and program statistics.

Timeline:

• June 2025 to March 2026, 42 weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: 8-hour days, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm or 9:00 am– 5:30 pm, depending on work needs. Working Tuesday- Saturday, Off Sunday/Monday. Includes working holidays.

Location:

Yosemite National Park - Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more… (source: https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm).

Yosemite National Park is world-renowned for its giant granite walls, waterfalls, sequoias, beautiful meadows and snow-capped mountains. The park encompasses nearly 750,000 acres of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and is 94% designated wilderness. The elevation ranges from just under 2,000’ to just over 13,000’, and many ecosystems can be found within, including foothill chaparral, oak woodland, mixed conifer forest, subalpine meadows, and alpine fell fields. The park hosts over 1,500 plant taxa and many animals, including special status, threatened, and endangered species. Yosemite is one of the most sought after climbing and hiking destinations in the world. Many additional recreational opportunities abound includin