Job: Conservation Intern at Harpers Ferry Center
Pay/Hours/Benefits: This is a full-time position at $18.50 per hour, funded for a total of 1045 hours (approximately 6 months of full-time employment). All NCPE internships accrue 4 hours of PTO for every 80 hours worked.
Institution: Harpers Ferry Center, Willow Springs Facility, 31 Maple Tree Dr, Charles Town, WV 25414
Application Deadline: January 15th, 2026
Brief Description: The Conservation Intern at Harpers Ferry Center assists Senior NPS Museum Conservators with object handling, object photography (before and after treatment digital imaging), report writing (condition reports, treatment proposals, and treatment reports), database entry, lab maintenance, and basic treatment steps for a variety of NPS artifacts on loan to Harpers Ferry Center (HFC) for conservation treatment from park sites service-wide. Training will be provided in all areas listed above.
The position will include conservation treatment of objects from multiple NPS sites working in five specialized conservation labs (Textiles, Paper/Books, Wooden Artifacts, Organic Objects, Inorganic Objects). Basic treatment steps may include a variety of surface cleaning methods, mending, filling losses, reattaching loose elements, applying surface coatings, and humidifying/flattening under the guidance of a Senior NPS Museum Conservator. The types of objects/materials will vary depending on the needs of the parks, but could include textiles, paper/books, ceramics/glass, metals, leather, basketry, taxidermy, and wooden artifacts/furniture. Training in scientific analysis will be provided as needed. The labs are outfitted with XRF, FTIR, microscopy, microchemical testing, and Oddy testing stations, which may be used to assist in material identification and treatment decisions.
The intern will also gain collections management experience assisting the conservation registrar with tracking and moving objects, and packing them for shipment.
This position is ideal for those early in their conservation career with some previous experience in a conservation lab seeking to gain more experience before entering the job market or a graduate program in art conservation. The position is almost all in-person, but telework days will be granted upon request for report writing, etc.
Contact Info/Link to Online Application: A start date for this internship has not been listed. More information about the position can be found here: PreserveNet
