LHIP Internship: Science Communication Assistant (PLC) - ONSITE - Death Valley National Park

Location: Death Valley, CA,None,None

Start/End Dates: May 26th, 2025 - August 9th, 2025 (11 weeks)
Medical Insurance: Not provided
Application Due: February 7th, 2025

The Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP) seeks to engage undergraduates and recent graduates ages 18 - 30, and up to 35 for veterans, for this unmatched leadership training program that is focused in the cultural and natural resource management. You must be (additional requirement)

• You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• A drivers license is required for this position.

*A personal vehicle is required for this position.

Position Description: 

The Science Communication Intern(s) will research and develop educational materials to emphasize the impacts of climate change on Death Valley National Park.

Known as one of the hottest places on Earth, Death Valley recorded its hottest summer in history in 2024, with an average temperature of 104.5°F (day and night temperatures combined). This trend is alarming, as seven of the ten hottest summers have occurred in the last decade. Significant weather events, including multiple thousand-year rain events in recent years (2015, 2022, 2023), have impacted park resources. Climate models predict that this region will continue to warm, with storms likely becoming more intense and frequent in the coming decades. The extreme conditions in Death Valley mean that plants and animals are already struggling for survival. Even slight increases in temperature or changes in precipitation could displace certain species from the park.

A 2022 study highlighted the impact of climate change on the Great Basin bristlecone pines, known for their resilience and longevity. Additionally, western Joshua trees, once considered stable, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to drought, herbivory, and wildfires. Recent data indicate that these trees are showing signs of stress, with increased leaf herbivory and periderm stripping. Notably, a researcher reported no new seedlings in 2022—an unprecedented finding in over 20 years of study.

While Death Valley has made strides in enhancing climate change outreach materials, more work is needed to engage visitors. The primary deliverable will be tailored to the applicant’s strengths, experiences, and interests and will be chosen from one of the following projects:

• Updating and expanding the park's climate change webpage.

• Creating a new climate change display for the park museum.

• Developing a standardized climate change interpretive program to be used this season and in future years.

• Inventorying park waysides and identifying where climate change messaging/themes would be appropriate.

• Developing a climate change wayside that will be featured next to the popular park thermometer outside the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.

One project will be selected and completed within the 11-week internship. Specific projects, goals, and materials to be produced will be tailored for each participant and will be defined at the time applicants are interviewed and selected. These projects were chosen for their potential to provide lasting value well beyond the conclusion of the internship.

Each project will be designed with the goal of reaching broader audiences and should incorporate multilingual elements (with an emphasis on Spanish) or accessible features as appropriate. These resources will be used to educate the public in-person and/or online. Additionally, they will assist park staff in effectively informing visitors about these critical issues, as the park’s website and interpretive exhibits are well-used sources of information for programs and general learning. Information compiled by this position will also be used to tailor talking points for the park’s Public Affairs Team, who annually respond to over 50 interview requests from national and international media, specifically regarding the park’s famous heat and climate.

Responsibilities:

• Spanish communication

• Public speaking

• Communications design

Qualifications:

Major studies relevant to this position:

• Fluency in Spanish

• Experience in public speaking

• Education

• Environmental studies

• Environmental sc