Historic Preservation Internships: Opportunities and Pathways
Historic preservation internships offer invaluable experiences for students and emerging professionals passionate about protecting and interpreting our cultural heritage. These programs provide hands-on training, networking opportunities, and a pathway to careers in the field. This article explores various internship programs, highlighting their unique features, eligibility requirements, and the benefits they offer.
National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE) Internships
The National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE) partners with the National Park Service (NPS) and other Federal agencies to offer paid internships at diverse locations across the United States. These internships cater to the specific needs of each site while providing interns with exceptional opportunities to engage with natural and cultural environments.
Key Features
- Paid Internships: All NCPE internship positions are paid, with many including housing allowances and/or commuting stipends.
- Diverse Locations: Internships are located at various parks and offices within the NPS system and other federal agencies across the United States.
- Competitive Awards: NCPE internships are competitive, with two application rounds each year: in the fall for winter-spring internships and in the winter for summer-fall internships.
- Stipends and Benefits: NCPE interns receive an hourly stipend, paid time off (PTO), paid Federal holidays (if working full-time), and access to NCPE's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for career and personal counseling, coaching, and referrals.
- Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: Eligible NCPE interns who successfully complete their internships may qualify for a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate, which can be used to apply for eligible Federal positions.
- Flexible Internship Length: The length of an internship can vary from 10 to 30 weeks if full-time (40 hours per week) or longer if on a part-time schedule.
Eligibility and Application Process
- Review Position Descriptions: Carefully review the position descriptions and qualifications for each listing.
- Universal Application: Create a user account and complete the Universal Application, which requires contact information, educational status, work history, and experience.
- Attachments: Include the two most recent years of academic transcripts (unofficial versions are acceptable) and a resume or CV (maximum 4 pages, 2 pages preferred).
- Essay: Submit a brief essay explaining why you are applying for the internship, how your interests will benefit the National Park Service (NPS), and how the internship will further your studies and career goals (400-word maximum).
- Application Limit: You may apply for a maximum of 6 internships during an application round.
Important Considerations
- Interns are responsible for finding and paying for travel to and housing at the internship location (some exceptions may apply).
- The National Council requires all interns working in-person at Federal facilities and/or with Federal employees to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.
- A background check is required if you are selected for a position.
- Interns are not NCPE or NPS employees; stipends are academic awards, and taxes are not withheld.
World Heritage USA International Exchange Program (IEP)
World Heritage USA, in support of ICOMOS-USA, offers an International Exchange Program (IEP) for graduate students and emerging professionals specializing in historic preservation and heritage conservation. This program provides a 10-12 week practical working internship with a public or private nonprofit heritage organization.
Key Features
- International Experience: Interns gain international experience at an early stage in their careers, broadening their worldview and preparing them for success in multicultural environments.
- Hands-on Experience: The internships are based on the principle of hands-on experience, learning by doing.
- Varied Projects: IEP projects are varied and correspond to the needs and requirements of the host organizations.
- Program Schedule: Internships are approximately 11 weeks in length (including the program orientation) and take place during the summer.
- Competitive Selection: The selection process is highly competitive, with interns selected based on demonstrated skills, commitment to historic preservation, previous experience, academic concentration in the field, and their ability to represent their country in an exchange program.
Program Structure
- Orientation: World Heritage USA hosts all interns in Washington D.C. for a program orientation at the beginning of the summer.
- Internship Placement: Interns then travel to their various host locations where they complete a 10-week preservation-related project designed by the host organization.
- Final Program: At the end of the summer, all interns gather in Washington, D.C.
Stipends and Responsibilities
- World Heritage USA provides stipends to all interns for the internship period, intended to cover basic living expenses (food and housing) for the duration of the internship.
- World Heritage USA will cover housing costs during the orientation and the final program in Washington D.C.
- Interns are expected to be professional in their behavior and work ethic.
- Participants must obtain private health insurance that will cover them during their entire stay. World Heritage USA provides limited, supplementary insurance.
Smithsonian Institution, Office of Planning, Design, and Construction (OPDC) Internships
The Office of Planning, Design, and Construction (OPDC), Architectural History and Historic Preservation (AHHP) internship provides a practical learning experience in the stewardship of historic cultural facilities within the Smithsonian Institution.
Key Features
- Practical Learning: The internship focuses on providing a practical learning experience in the stewardship of historic cultural facilities.
- Project-Based: Interns work on specific projects related to building preservation and record documentation.
Internship Projects
- Building Preservation Plan: Interns research and use existing documentation to create a Building Preservation Plan (BPP) for a specific Smithsonian facility, including an historic narrative, history of building changes, preservation zoning diagrams, and suggested maintenance practices for significant historic fabric.
- Record Documentation for the Smithsonian Castle: Interns document uncovered historic fabric and history of changes revealed by the Castle construction project.
Eligibility
- Applicants should have undergraduate and/or graduate level courses related to architecture, architectural history, materials conservation, historic preservation, and historic building trades.
Park Planning Facilities and Lands (PPFL) Internships
Park Planning Facilities and Lands (PPFL) offers internship opportunities at multiple NPS Sites across the country, PPFL locations, and regional and D.C. offices. Many internship opportunities are remote.
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Key Features
- Diverse Locations: Internships are located at multiple NPS Sites across the country, PPFL locations, and regional and D.C. offices.
- Remote Opportunities: Many internship opportunities are remote.
- Competitive Pay: Competitive payrate of $21/hour or higher.
- Professional Development: Interns receive a professional development stipend.
- Park Housing: Park housing may be provided during project work when available, though housing is not guaranteed.
Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) Internships
The Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) completes technical preservation projects on historic structures within the NPS system. These service opportunities operate as apprenticeships for the next generation of historic trades and preservation professionals.
Key Features
- Apprenticeship Model: HPTC internships operate as apprenticeships, providing hands-on training in historic trades and preservation techniques.
- Technical Preservation Projects: Interns work on technical preservation projects on historic structures within the NPS system.
- Impactful Contributions: Interns contribute to the restoration of historic structures and the assessment of conditions on additional structures.
Additional Resources
- National Trust for Historic Preservation's Preservation Job Board: Find or post preservation jobs, internships, and Requests for Proposals.
- HOPE Crew: The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers preservation craft training for young people through Hands On Preservation Experience (HOPE) crews, which help rehabilitate historic sites while learning best practices for preservation.
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