PROJECT SUMMARY

The National Trust is seeking candidates for a Community Preservation internship to support the work of the Research & Development Department (RAD). RAD serves a broad mandate for producing innovative research, analysis, and development of deliverables in service of the activities across the Preservation Division and the strategic priorities of the National Trust. This department provides research and technical support, playing a key role in supporting a variety of initiatives across the National Trust including America’s Chinatowns, Preserve Route 66, the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, among others. These programs leverage all of the National Trust’s resources to focus on a portfolio of endangered nationally significant buildings, landscapes, and communities.

The Community Preservation Research intern will be a valued contributor to the work of the RAD team and will work closely with the Senior Director of Research and Development (Based in greater NY area) and the Senior GIS Project Manager (based in Maryland). Internships for 2025 will be performed remotely with opportunities for in person touch points depending on geography.

National Trust internships are temporary experiential learning opportunities with no expectation of employment at the conclusion of the internship. For this internship, the National Trust is offering a stipend of $4,000 to help offset expenses. The period of the internship would be from approximately June 2 to July 25, for approximately 28 hours per week.

Interested students should submit a resume, detailed cover letter, and writing sample not exceeding ten pages in electronic format only.

DUTIES

RAD will provide the intern with a variety of research and writing opportunities. Specific tasks may include the following:

• Supporting the America’s Chinatowns initiative through research, analysis, and strategy exercises in service of growing this initiative and developing a community and cultural preservation playbook that all Chinatowns and other culturally distinct communities can use.
• Expand foundational research on mapping Chinatowns across the United States.
• Developing case study research and contributing to an online case study database to inform the role of historic preservation in addressing key societal challenges including affordability, resilience, and revitalization.
• Developing tools and resources for the preservation field and adjacent disciplines to better leverage preservation as a tool for equitable development.
• Interviewing local or state partners, community advocates, and practitioners, regarding policies and programs that have succeeded in cultural preservation for communities.
• Presenting on research outcomes.
• Write and create policy briefs, articles, StoryMaps, and/or blog posts featured across National Trust websites.

EDUCATIONAL VALUE TO THE INTERN

The intern will gain experience under the mentorship of respected non-profit professionals, in an educational setting at one of the nation’s leading arts & cultural and non-profit advocacy organizations. The internship provides students with a well-rounded experience of working in a fast-paced nonprofit environment. Students may also be eligible for academic credit at the discretion of their institution. The RAD intern will be exposed to all areas of the department's activities and are provided with a variety of research and writing opportunities.

At the end of the program, the intern will have produced or contributed to substantive research and writing pieces, which can be added to their professional portfolio in support of their future career pursuits. Research projects at the time of internship may vary depending on emergent priorities and alignment with the interests and background of the selected candidate. There will be opportunities to customize the research assignments based on the background of the chosen candidate.

The intern will also have the opportunity to participate in educational programming offered via the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s organization-wide internship program. Students may also be eligible for college or graduate school academic credit at the discretion of their institution.

Specifically, the intern will gain knowledge in the following areas:
• Research in a non-profit setting
• Application of quantitative and qualitative data analysis in the historic preservation profession
• Thought leadership in the realm of preservation as a form of equitable community development
• Career development in a non-profit context for a leading national organization

QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled or recent graduate from a master’s program in historic preservation, real estate development, planning, urban studies, public policy, or related field preferred. Bachelor’s level current or rising juniors, seniors will also be considered.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• An interest in conservation/preservation/sustainability-related solutions to urban challenges; professional experience or education in a preservation-related field a plus.
• Strong written and verbal presentation skills, poised to communicate effectively with senior leadership and external partners.
• Demonstrated success engaging culturally diverse audiences, partners and colleagues preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint required.
• Ability work effectively in a remote environment, maintaining productivity and communications to meet deadlines and goals, is required.

NOTE: If applying to multiple internships, please do not delete previous resumes or cover letters, simply click Add to upload new/additional versions for each application.