Internship Archivist Jobs in Cape Cod, MA (NOW HIRING)

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking one member to contribute to archival projects alongside NPS Staff.

About Build Up Technical Internship Program: This position is part of the Build Up Technical Internship Program facilitated by the Historic Preservation Training Center. The Build Up Technical Internship Program is working to expand and diversify the National Park Service workforce while addressing critical maintenance needs by providing professional experiences in technical fields to students and recent graduates.

For more information about the Build Up Technical Internship Program, please visit the NPS website.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: October 2026

Estimated End Date: April 2027

* A 29 week minimum commitment is required *

* This position may be eligible for extension up to a year *

Location Details/Description The National Parks of Boston encompass a collection of historic, cultural, and coastal park sites located throughout the city of Boston and Boston Harbor. These parks preserve and interpret key locations central to the founding and development of the United States, including sites along the Freedom Trail and the Boston Harbor Islands. The park unit includes historic buildings, landscapes, waterfront resources, and urban green spaces that connect visitors to the nation's history within a vibrant city setting. Scenic views of Boston Harbor, historic neighborhoods, and waterfront areas provide opportunities for recreation, reflection, and learning.

For more information about the National Parks of Boston, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview:This member will be responsible for processing, organizing, and rehousing large-format materials including oversize architectural drawings, engineering plans, blueprints, and maps. The role focuses on ensuring long-term care, intellectual control, and accessibility of these specialized materials.

Key Responsibilities
Processing & Arrangement
• Conduct detailed inventory and arrangement of oversize drawings and plans according to established archival hierarchies.
• Identify temporary vs. permanent records and determine proper placement based on subject matter, creator, or numbering systems.
• Collaborate with park staff to confirm origin, context, and function of oversize materials.
Cataloging & Documentation
• Create folder lists, indices, and finding aid components tailored to large-format holdings.
• Maintain accurate descriptive metadata to support retrieval and research use.
Housing & Preservation
• Rehouse oversize materials using appropriate preservation solutions, including acidfree map folders, flat files, rolled storage tubes, and custom enclosures.
• Flatten folded materials and place fragile drawings in protective sleeves.
• Apply correct handling standards for large-format collections, including separation sheets, size-sorting, and cross-referencing when items are relocated.

Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM M-F

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $750/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the National Park Service. A $250/week housing reimbursement will be provided.

Professional Development: The member will have access to up to $1,000 to be used for eligible professional development expenses. Expenses must be approved by the NPS and ACE.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include federal resume-building.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a Master's degree in archival work and have relevant experience in the subject
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, and be independently motivated.
• Deep interest in the National Park Service and archival work.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position on usa conservation website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact our ACE EPIC NPS Division Support Specialist, Jackie Tauberman.

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.