Fall Interpretation Internship

2026 Fall Internship

About the Park

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park is a Civil War battlefield park comprised of four major battlefields: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania Court House. The park also includes a National Cemetery, the slave plantations Chatham and Ellwood, the “Stonewall” Jackson Death Site, and historic Salem Church.

About the Position

Fall interpretation Interns will be stationed in front line positions under the guidance of park staff and provide orientation and interpretation to the public at large. Interns must participate in a day-long orientation training and will receive site orientation and interpretation training as needed. Duties include:

·      Greet and orient visitors to the battlefield.

·      Engage with visitors about the history of the battlefield.

·      Help facilitate visitors’ experience in the park.

·      Fall interns will have a targeted project in addition to front line work that meets both park needs and the developmental goals of the intern.

As a Civil War site, we expect all park interpreters to engage with both the history and relevance of the war, including slavery as the cause of the war and major point of conflict throughout the war. Interns may have to discuss controversial topics with the public, including but not limited to: Confederate monumentation, slavery as a cause of the Civil War, and the history of inequality in the United States.

Requirements

·      General knowledge of American history. Civil War expertise is not a prerequisite. 

·      Interest interpretation, public history, or careers with the National Park Service.

·      Desire to develop or improve public speaking and written communication skills.

Schedule

Fall internship schedule is typically 10-15 hours a week. The exact hours and duration will be decided at the beginning of the internship.

Housing

Housing is not available for fall interns.

This internship is most suitable for local candidates interested in exploring careers within the National Park Service or within the field of public history.

Reports to: 

Supervisory Ranger (Mary): Mary_K_O’Neill@nps.gov

Volunteer Coordinator (Ashley): Ashley_Ranalli@nps.gov