Are you, or do you know of a student interested in the preservation, enhancement, and sustainable use of our nation’s historic resources? The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) is offering full-time, 10-week summer internship opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.

An independent federal agency, the ACHP oversees the historic preservation review process for federal projects and advises the President and Congress on historic preservation. The agency manages a variety of preservation initiatives to address national preservation issues, such as promoting public appreciation of cultural heritage, reusing historic building stock for housing and other contemporary needs, advancing sustainability and resilience, supporting Indigenous peoples' interests, and youth engagement.

Selected interns will complete projects that contribute to or broaden awareness of the work of the ACHP and our historic preservation partners nationwide. Interns will be supervised by ACHP professional staff, and may work onsite in our Washington, DC office, remotely, or on a hybrid basis. All interns can receive academic credit if they meet the requirements of their academic programs. Interns will become familiar with the full range of work of the ACHP through orientation and training and by participating in meetings to observe the development and implementation of federal historic preservation policy. They may also participate in programs with staff and interns at related agencies and organizations. The ACHP assists interns with networking and advice.

Who Is Eligible?

ACHP offers internships to undergraduate or graduate students, though some are designed specifically for graduate students. Stipends ($20/hour) for paid summer internships will be funded by generous support from the R. H. Jenrette Foundation and the ACHP Foundation. Students who have secured funding specifically to support this internship from their school or another source, such as a grant from an organization, may also apply. Current students in programs which do not allow them to be paid are also eligible to apply.

Candidates should have an interest in historic preservation and may come from a wide variety of disciplines, such as history, planning, law, cultural resource management, architectural history, architectural design, traditional building trades, archaeology, education, communication, or library science.  Relevant skills include strong research, writing, and organizational ability as well as the ability to work independently and collaboratively. 

How to Apply - Deadline – March 14th, 2025 

Interested applicants should go to www.achp.gov/careers/achp-summer-internships-2025, follow the link to the application form, and submit it. A resume must be sent to internships@achp.gov to complete your application. Questions can be addressed to internships@achp.gov.

Summer Internship Projects

A. ACHP’s Office of Federal Agency Programs (OFAP) is seeking a summer intern to work onsite in the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s office in Washington, D.C. This full-time internship is for an undergraduate student. The intern will work with staff to identify and organize recently digitized historical records, help catalog ACHP files, create file plans, and propose key words to help build a searchable database. The intern will also learn about the history of the ACHP from original sources, propose ways to better document and preserve digital information for future use, and become familiar with the range of OFAP’s work. A background in library science or archiving is desirable and some familiarity with historic preservation would be a plus.

B. ACHP’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking a 2L law student with strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills as a full-time summer intern. This intern may work remotely or combine onsite and remote work. Update the Section 106 caselaw book from 2021 to the present, conduct caselaw research on Section 106 (and possibly NEPA) cases where the court found the agency achieved the intent and purpose of the regulatory process despite missing procedural steps, and assist in updating and providing additional recommendations to the ACHP Guidance on Agreement Documents and other Section 106 guidance. Familiarity with the National Historic Preservation Act and/or other federal environmental laws is a plus but not required. Participate in the daily work of a federal Office of General Counsel, interacting with federal attorneys and program staff. Gain knowledge of current issues and litigation relating to the NHPA and experience advising federal practitioners on historic preservation matters.

C. ACHP's Office of Tribal and Indigenous Peoples (OTIP) is seeking a graduate student for a full-time internship. This intern may work remotely, onsite, or combine onsite and remote work. The intern will perform an in-depth review of the polices related to ACHP's work with Indigenous communities to ensure that language/terms/content are consistent between documents and with current laws and policies. Additionally, the intern would produce a document that flags where older ACHP policies could incorporate concepts from newer Indigenous-focused policies as well as make recommendations for streamlining currently available policies. Knowledge of Indigenous-focused polices a plus, as well as experience performing research and analysis. This work will provide an opportunity for the intern to develop or broaden skills related to policy analysis, policy research, and the development of concrete action items for the ACHP's Office of Tribal and Indigenous Peoples.

Past interns say…

“I was not only afforded the opportunity to immerse myself in preservation law and policy at the national level, but my eyes were also opened to a wealth of interesting possibilities throughout the preservation world. My supervisor was incredibly instrumental in helping me draft my research, cultivate professional connections, and explore opportunities for success in my prospective career.” – Jonathan Stark-Sachs, Office of General Counsel Intern

“I particularly enjoyed the past and present intern meeting because it was fascinating to hear about the different career paths within historic preservation and to receive advice regarding making the most of our internship. I have enjoyed meeting with directors and staff from the different offices and agencies and learning about their work.” – Nikki Vafai, Chair’s Intern

“Not only was the environment educational, supportive and professional but it was also friendly and engaging. The ACHP’s internship program is an amazing opportunity… I am absolutely leaving this internship with a new range of useful knowledge and skills. – Laura Kennedy, Office of Federal Agency Programs intern

Various professional positions held by former ACHP interns

Assistant Program Analyst, Federal Property Management, ACHP
Assistant Program Analyst, Federal Permitting, Licensing and Assistance, ACHP
Program Manager, Communications and Outreach, National Park Service Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate
Director, Easement Program, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Associate Director of Grants, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation Specialist, New York State Historic Preservation Office
Historic Bridge Program Manager, PennDOT
Archeologist, Bureau of Land Management, Nevada
Executive Director, Historic Natchez Foundation
City Planner, Historic Preservation Commission Coordinator, Liaison with Main Street Program Staff
National Park Service Interpretive Park Ranger
Docent, Historic Houses, French Quarter, New Orleans, LA
Historic Preservation Specialist, Cultural Resources Management Firm
Manager, Historic Tax Credits, Consulting Firm
Project Coordinator, Architectural Firm
Freelance Architectural History Researcher