Are you, or do you know of a
student interested in the preservation, enhancement, and sustainable use
of our nation’s diverse historic resources? The Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation (ACHP) in Washington, D.C. is offering fall semester internship
opportunities. A small, independent federal agency, the ACHP oversees the
historic preservation review process for federal projects and manages a variety
of preservation programs dealing with national preservation policy
and legislation, Indigenous peoples interests, climate change and
sustainability, the reuse of historic buildings for current needs,
promoting public appreciation of cultural heritage, building a more inclusive
preservation program, workforce development, and youth engagement.
Interns will be supervised by ACHP Chair Sara
Bronin and ACHP professional staff, and may work virtually, in person, or on a
hybrid basis. Most fall internships are part-time, though full-time internships
are possible. Hourly expectations are flexible, as long as the total number of
hours allows interns to satisfy any requirements of their programs. All
interns can receive academic credit if they meet the requirements of their
programs.
Interns will become familiar with
the full range of work of the agency through orientation and training, and by participating
in meetings to observe the development and implementation of federal historic
preservation policy. They may also interact with staff and interns at related
agencies and organizations. The ACHP assists interns with networking and
advice.
Candidates should have an
interest in historic preservation and may come from a wide variety of
disciplines, such as history, architectural history, archaeology, planning,
law, cultural resource management, architectural design, education,
communications, or library science. Relevant skills include strong research,
writing, and organizational ability as well as the ability to work
independently and collaboratively. Specific assignments are developed
based on current agency needs and the skills and interests of selected
interns. We encourage applications from students at minority-serving
institutions.
Who Is Eligible?
ACHP
internships are open to undergraduate or graduate students. ACHP cannot provide funding
for internships this fall, so they are only open to students who will have
funding to support their internship from their school or another source, such
as a grant or scholarship. Also eligible are current students seeking
course credit as part of an academic program (e.g., a Semester in DC program)
in which they are not allowed to be paid.
How to Apply - Deadline - August 7, 2024
Interested applicants should
apply using the form linked at www.achp.gov/careers/achp-fall-semester-internships-2024 and submitting it. Then send your resume to internships@achp.gov to complete your
application.
Fall Semester Internship Projects
Work with the Office of Communications, Education, and Outreach on the Preserve the Past, Build for the Future webinar series, completing promotional materials, securing panelists, and researching outreach opportunities. Assist in promoting the ACHP’s upcoming Climate Heritage Conference. Research and write social media posts and help develop campaigns for Native American Heritage Month and Hispanic Heritage Month.
Work with the Office of Federal Agency Programs to identify and organize recently
digitized historical records. Help catalog ACHP files, create file plans, and propose key words to help build a searchable database. Learn about the history of the ACHP from original sources and propose ways to better document and preserve digital information for future use. Become familiar with the work of Office of Federal Agency Programs. A background in library science or archiving is desirable and some familiarity with historic preservation would be a plus.
Do legal research relating to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, legal cases, and/or laws related to cultural heritage or Indigenous Knowledge issues at the direction of the Chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Specific assignments are based on current agency policy priorities and the skills and interests of selected interns. This internship is for a law student.
Past interns say…
“I was not only afforded
the opportunity to immerse myself in preservation law and policy at the
national level, but my eyes were also opened to a wealth of interesting
possibilities throughout the preservation world. My supervisor was incredibly
instrumental in helping me draft my research, cultivate professional connections,
and explore opportunities for success in my prospective career.” - Jonathan Stark-Sachs, Office of General Counsel Intern
“I particularly enjoyed the past
and present intern meeting because it was fascinating to hear about the
different career paths within historic preservation and to receive advice
regarding making the most of our internship. I have enjoyed meeting with
directors and staff from the different offices and agencies and learning about
their work.” – Nikki Vafai, Chair’s
Intern
“Not only was the environment
educational, supportive and professional but it was also friendly and engaging.
The ACHP’s internship program is an amazing opportunity… I am absolutely
leaving this internship with a new range of useful knowledge and skills. –
Laura Kennedy, Office of Federal Agency Programs intern