Job Listing
 🔗​​The Edward A. Chappell and Susan L. Buck Architectural Research Fellowship​

  • Full Time
  • Williamsburg, VA
  • $50,000 - $63,000/- USD / Year
  • July 31, 2026
  • Job Reference #: Requisition Number: THEED003611
  • Job Summary: Created to foster the study and recording of early buildings in the Chesapeake region through fieldwork using measured drawings, photographs, text, publication, and other media.
  • Job Qualifications:

    Required Education and Experience: 

    ​​A master’s degree in preservation, history, architecture, material culture or a related field.​

    Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record based on The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s criteria.

    Must be able to provide a 5-year Motor Vehicle Record prior to employment
    Must be at least 21 years of age
    May not have more than 1 moving violation or at fault accident within 12 months
    May not have more than 2 moving violations or at fault accidents within 36 months
    May not have any serious motor vehicle violations including but not limited to excessive speeding, reckless driving, DUI/DWI, suspended or revoked license, etc.
    Preferred Qualifications: 

    ​​2+ years of experience conducting architectural research and fieldwork.​

     Key Skills / Competencies: 

    ​​Knowledge of:

    · Must have a solid understanding of English and American architecture of the seventeenth, eighteenth, and early nineteenth centuries.
    · Must be able to develop and conduct fieldwork and research projects independently and work collaboratively and cooperatively with others. Skills and Abilities:
    · Must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to prepare reports and articles and the ability to give presentations and tours.
    · Proficiency with hand- and computer-aided documentation.
    · Must have proficiency with AutoCAD.​

    Physical and Environmental Demands: 

    Work is performed in a combination of office and external environments. The position may require walking, standing, and occasional bending or light lifting. The role may involve exposure to materials, tools, and environmental conditions typical of historic structures and their restoration.​

     Typical Work Schedule: 

    ​​This position is expected to work a regular full-time schedule, 40 hours/week, with additional hours as needed to meet departmental, institutional, and project demands.​

  • How to Apply:

    Interested canidates should apply on our Careers website; please include a resume and cover letter.

    https://recruiting.ultipro.com/COL1030CWF/JobBoard/eb5e9e48-064f-44f4-b09a-99eba614b579/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=fe79563b-1ecd-4daf-b469-49fce815961c

  • Contact Name: Anne Hinkle
  • Application URL: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/COL1030CWF/JobBoard/eb5e9e48-064f-44f4-b09a-99eba614b579/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=fe79563b-1ecd-4daf-b469-49fce815961c

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

About the Position

​​This fellowship honors the legacy of the late Edward A. Chappell, Shirley and Richard Roberts Director of Architectural Research at Colonial Williamsburg. Created to foster the study and recording of early buildings in the Chesapeake region through fieldwork using measured drawings, photographs, text, publication, and other media. The candidate will submit fieldwork proposals to support current Department of Architectural Preservation and Research needs, including but not limited to strategic projects, documentation of Historic Area buildings, and wider fieldwork throughout the Chesapeake. This is a term position of 12 months. The successful candidate is required to present their research via a written article or presentation at a professional conference at the end of the fellowship term.​

 Main Duties:  

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

· Conducts original research and fieldwork on early structures within the Chesapeake region in support of the major preservation and interpretive goals and educational mission of the Foundation.
· Facilitates productive working relationships within and outside the department.
· Prepares analytical and interpretive reports, including but not limited to historic structures reports, scholarly journals, monographs, and in-house interpretive reports or other appropriate venues to support the educational and preservation mission of the Foundation.
· Documents buildings and architectural features using measured drawings, photography, and architectural descriptions to Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) standards.
· Prepares 2D and 3D digital architectural documentation drawings.
· Presents lectures and audio-visual presentations to internal and external audiences.
· Works collaboratively and cooperatively with internal and external partners toward the successful completion of projects and Foundation preservation efforts.
· Performs other related tasks as required.​

This job description reflects the general responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time based on operational needs.

 

Benefits

All NCPE interns received an hourly stipend, the rate is listed at each position description. Additionally, interns receive 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. Project sites may also offer a housing allowance and/or commuting stipend; this information is also listed in the description or offered during the interview.

Eligible NCPE interns who successfully complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate. To be eligible to earn a PLC certificate, an intern must be 30 years old or younger (or 35 if a veteran). Once earned, the PLC hiring authority certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal temporary, term, or permanent positions. Successful completion of a NCPE internship does not guarantee Federal employment. Contact manager@preservenet.org for more details.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be
*at least 18 years old;
*no older than 30 years of age (or 35 years if a Veteran) when beginning the internship; applicants who are 31 or older (or 36 or older if a Veteran) are not eligible;
*currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program at the college level (or recently graduated within the past 12 months)
*be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.

Interns are not allowed to work more than 1200 hours total in the 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. The stipend rate is $17.00 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.

The National Council requires all interns working in-person at Federal facilities and/or with Federal employees receive the Covid-19 vaccination. Please be advised that you may also be required to wear a mask, depending on the protocols adopted by your work site. Also be aware that, due to Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required if you are 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@preservenet.org.

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.

How to Apply

You may review NCPE's internship opportunities anytime without registering. Use the search function to find listings by location, keyword, or area of interest/category. Once you identify one or more positions of interest, there is a 3-step application process.

Step 1: Click on the Apply for Job button, then select Universal Application. Click on Register to create a User Account, which requires a username and email. A link will be sent to you from manager@preservenet.org to create a password. We suggest that you add this email to your safe senders list so you don't miss receiving this important link. You will be instructed to Log In to Preservenet using your username or email and password, which will take you back to the Universal Application.

Step 2: The Universal Application is required to apply for all NCPE internships. You fill out this form only once. In addition to contact information, educational status, work history, and experience, it requires two attachments: (1) the 2 most recent years of academic transcripts. These may be unofficial transcripts if official versions are unavailable. A PDF is preferred, labeled Your Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages are preferred. A PDF is preferred but jpg, png, doc, or docx file types are accepted. Label Your Last Name_Your First Name_Resume. This form may be saved as a draft and completed later. Use the link provided to return to the form.

Step 3: Once you submit the Universal Application, you may browse and apply for NCPE internships using the link provided. Complete the application process by clicking on the Apply for job button found at each internship listing and upload the required Essay. Use the essay to explain why you are applying for an internship, including how your interest areas will benefit the National Park Service (NPS) and how the internship will further your studies and career goals. Be as specific as possible; there is a 400-word maximum length. Submit the essay to finish the application for that position. You may apply for a maximum of 6 internships during an application round; there is no limit at other times of the year. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!



Logging in with a Registered User Account and completing the Universal Application is required to apply for NCPE Internships. Please visit the Universal Application page to register for an account and complete the form. After logging in and completing the form, refreshing this listing will display the Job Application to apply online.