SkillBridge Intern (Active Military Only)

For Active-Duty Service Members Only

The Department of Defense (DOD) SkillBridge Program provides transitioning Service members the opportunity to gain valuable civilian work experience through industry training, apprenticeships, and internships during their final 180 days of active service. To learn more about the SkillBridge program, visit the official DOD SkillBridge website.

First State National Historical Park (FRST) is proud to support this program by offering internship opportunities within both the Visitor Services Division and the Facilities Division. The park’s SkillBridge Coordinator will work directly with each applicant to explore which placement best supports their personal and professional goals.

Please note:

• Housing is not available. Applicants are encouraged to reside within or near Delaware.
• Length of internship: Up to 180 days (flexible and negotiable based on Service member needs and command approval).

Visitor Services Division

The Visitor Services team provides engaging, educational experiences that help visitors build meaningful connections to the park’s natural and cultural resources. The team consists of permanent staff, career-seasonal Park Guides, and a cohort of seasonal Rangers and interns working collaboratively to serve the public.

Duties May Include:

• Sharing information about park resources through formal and informal interpretive programs, outreach events, and one-on-one conversations.
• Delivering programs at visitor centers, historic sites, schools, universities, and other partner locations.
• Conducting research using park maps, resource materials, and staff expertise to build knowledge of park themes and stories.
• Assisting with special events, annual celebrations, and community programs that support the park’s mission.
• Performing administrative tasks such as gathering information for reports, compiling visitation statistics, and aiding digital content creation for social media, the park website, or the NPS app.

Schedule: Typically, the team works 5, 8-hour days and may include the weekend. However, the Supervisor is willing to find a schedule that works for both the applicant and the workload.

This placement is ideal for Service members interested in public engagement, education, cultural and natural resource interpretation, or careers in visitor-facing roles.

Facilities Division

The Facilities team maintains the park’s buildings, grounds, and over 27 miles of trails within the Brandywine Valley unit. This small but dedicated division includes permanent staff and a strong network of volunteers who support daily operations.

Duties May Include:

• Assisting with facility and trail maintenance such as cleaning, mowing, trimming, or light construction.
• Performing curatorial care for historic structures and NPS buildings.
• Reviewing park maps and resource materials to understand site layouts and needs.
• Completing equipment trainings or operational walkthroughs as required by the Facilities Division Lead.
• Supporting administrative tasks including routine data collection, report preparation, and file organization.

Schedule: The Facilities Division generally operates on four 10-hour workdays, which may include weekends and holidays.

This placement is well-suited for Service members interested in trades, facilities work, resource stewardship, or hands-on operational experience.