Staff Highlight: Jared Infanger, Cultural Resources Manager

Meet Jared Infanger, Cultural Resources Manager for South Idaho Parks and Minidoka National Historic Site! Jared is a critical member of the NPS team who works behind the scenes to preserve and protect all of Minidoka’s historic and cultural resources. Jared is a strong advocate for Minidoka NHS, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him on the NPS team.

So much goes into maintaining and preserving the site of which the general public is unaware; future issues of the Irrigator will feature articles about environmental and cultural work at Minidoka.

When did you first start working for the National Park Service?

I started working for the NPS as an intern at Yellowstone National Park in the museum collections. 

What is your position title and what are your responsibilities in this role? 

I am the Cultural Resources Program Manager for the South Idaho parks which include Minidoka National Historic Site, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, and Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. I oversee the protection and management of the cultural resources which include archeology, museum collections, historic buildings and structures, historic cultural landscapes, and ethnographic resources. I also am responsible for performing the consultation requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. 

What is your favorite memory, so far, about working at Minidoka National Historic Site? For me, it isn't one single memory but those great moments when I am at the site and I see something in the landscape, the collections, or on the historic structures that reinforces for me the sanctity of the site and how important it is to preserve this place. 

What is something surprising about yourself that most people don’t know?

I come from a family of 6 kids (1 sister, 4 brothers) and I am the middle child.

What are some activities you enjoy in your free time?

I am a father of a seven-year old so my free time is his time. That means I am playing dinosaurs, wrestling, or video games. 

Anything else you would like to share?

I want to be a resource to help educate, inform, and protect Minidoka, not just the site but its stories and community. Please don't hesitate to contact me to see how I can help.