The National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE)’s Internship Program is a partnership with the National Park Service and other Federal agencies with cultural resource protection and public land management responsibilities. The purpose of the program is to accomplish needed and important work on federally protected lands while providing program participants with professional experience in their chosen fields. Interns work under the guidance of agency staff who are subject area experts to carry out the mission of the park.

To be eligible, applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old (or 35 if a veteran) when starting the internship, a college student or recent graduate (within the past 12 months at the time of application), enrolled in a degree-seeking program, and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.  

The birthplace of two U.S. presidents, Adams National Historical Park in Quincy, MA is a 14-acre cultural landscape that includes 11 historic structures, museum collections, and the remnants of the Adams country estate. Maintaining and preserving these buildings, artifacts, and property for the public’s use and enjoyment is a major undertaking. The Cultural Landscape Assessment & Reporting Intern will be an integral part of the Facility Management team, working with both maintenance and curatorial staff.

The internship’s primary objective is to assess previously completed projects and prepare or finalize completion reports. Examples of recently completed projects include refurbishing the Stone Library’s weathervane; replacing trees within the landscape; and replacing siding on the John Adams Birthplace. Daily tasks involve compiling project files, records, and photographs to draft completion reports using a standard format. The intern will work with and be guided by members from other departments within Facility Management.

The intern may also assist with documenting structural and landscape needs and preparing conditions assessments.

This position is currently funded for 400 hours. A background security investigation may be required prior to the start date. All NCPE internships accrue 4 hours of PTO for every 80 hours worked.

Qualified NCPE interns who complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate.  Once earned, the PLC certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal permanent, temporary, or term positions. Visit https://preservenet.org/ncpe-internships/ for details about this benefit. Successful completion of the internship does not guarantee Federal employment.