The National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE)’s Internship Program is a partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) 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 Youth Outreach Intern position will collaborate with the park’s education technician to provide in-depth interpretive experiences and conduct outreach for youth of the local community through site visits, demonstrations, and immersive experiences. The intern will work with local community groups including the YMCA, the area school district, and a variety of other community groups. Many of the youth are from the economically depressed Vicksburg area, the majority of whom have not visited the park nor have knowledge of the NPS.

Programming with be coordinated with community groups, the YMCA, and area schools. Well-constructed interpretive experiences will create life-long stewards, increase an appreciation for our nation’s history, and engage participants’ understanding of the historical roots of contemporary issues. The intern will help to prepare for and assist with the delivery of programs, both onsite and offsite. Tasks will include assisting in the development and delivery of K through 12 virtual and in-person programming to be used within local and outlying school districts and YMCA after-school programs, assisting in outreach to local schools and the local YMCA, assisting with various community outreach events, and assisting in the execution of Fall Break and Winter Break programs in the park. The intern will research to expand the park’s outreach database. They will support other outreach events to help build stronger community engagement and youth stewardship.

The successful candidate will receive a $300 per month housing allowance in addition to an hourly stipend. 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.