The National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE), in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS) and other partner Federal agencies, is pleased to offer paid internships for the Spring Semester (Jan-May 2021). NCPE has collaborated with the NPS since 1992 to connect post-secondary students and recent graduates in historic preservation, cultural resource management, and related fields to internships at a wide variety of parks and offices within the NPS system and other agencies annually.
To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program or recently graduated (degree received Jan 2020 or later). Interns are not eligible to work more than 1200 hours total in this program; previous interns must stay within this overall limit. 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. If selected, the exact starting date will be determined by you and the NPS supervisor. Stipends are paid at $15.00 per hour unless otherwise listed.
The successful candidate is responsible for finding and paying for travel to and housing at the internship location; some exceptions apply. The supervising office may be able to assist in locating housing but it is ultimately up to the individual accepting the internship to find accommodation.
Also be aware that, due to Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required if selected for a position. This will include providing information about recent housing and employment history. The position supervisor will have more information about these requirements and procedures at the time of hiring. You may direct any questions to NCPE’s Internship Program Director, Julee Johnson, at manager@historicurbanplans.com.
Please note that interns are not NCPE or NPS employees. Stipends are academic awards and taxes are not withheld, nor are social security contributions made on your behalf. These funds may be taxable, however, so consult a tax preparation professional if you have questions.
This page explains the application process for the Spring Semester; visit this page in January 2021 for information about Summer 2021 internships. Search the internship opportunities on this page by location, keyword, or area of interest/category. Review the internship descriptions and, if you want to apply, click on “Apply for Job” and fill out the online form. You will need to register by submitting your email and creating a user name. You will be emailed a password, which you will use to login and allows you to save a draft of your application. You may apply for up to 6 internships per application round.
Required Attachments (PDF):
- two most recent years of academic transcripts. Transcripts may be unofficial.
- maximum 400-word essay. Do not attach a writing sample (other than the essay) or portfolio. If the NPS supervisor requires additional materials, they will be requested during the interview.
Once the deadline for submission has passed, NPS supervisors will review the applications and may contact candidates for a phone interview. Candidates who are not selected will be notified by email. Please allow 4-6 weeks after the deadline before inquiring about the status of your application.