The Visitor Services Intern will work in both office and field settings while supporting interpretation, visitor services, and special anniversary programming throughout Shenandoah National Park. Daily activities may include research, visitor engagement, educational programming, oral history collection, and participation in community events.
The position requires frequent standing, walking, and hiking over uneven terrain, including trails and mountain landscapes. Interns should be comfortable working outdoors in changing weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and cooler mountain temperatures. Some assignments may require carrying backpacks, educational materials, or field equipment while supporting park operations.
The Visitor Services Intern will support Shenandoah National Park’s 90th Anniversary Commemoration by helping connect visitors with the park’s rich natural and cultural history through research, interpretation, and community engagement.
Working alongside National Park Service staff and local partners, the intern will research the history of Shenandoah National Park and the surrounding communities while helping develop interpretive programs that highlight the people, places, and events that shaped the park’s story.
A major component of the internship includes collecting oral histories and working with community members to document personal stories connected to the park. Using historical research, primary source materials, and digital media, the intern will help preserve these stories while creating educational programming that encourages visitors to explore Shenandoah’s history from multiple perspectives.
Primary responsibilities include:
Through these experiences, the intern will contribute to commemorating Shenandoah National Park’s history while helping preserve stories that connect visitors with the park and surrounding communities.
The internship provides practical experience in historical research, oral history documentation, interpretation, visitor services, educational programming, and community engagement. The intern will learn how to conduct historical research using primary sources, interview community members, document oral histories, and transform research into engaging public programs.
Throughout the internship, the intern will strengthen public speaking, communication, research, and digital storytelling skills while working closely with National Park Service staff and community partners. Participation in anniversary programming will also provide valuable experience planning and supporting large-scale public events.
By the conclusion of the internship, the intern will have developed a strong foundation in interpretation, visitor engagement, historical documentation, and collaborative project management.
The Visitor Services Intern will receive ongoing mentorship from National Park Service staff, historians, educators, and community partners throughout the internship.
Beginning with a comprehensive orientation, the intern will become familiar with park operations, interpretive techniques, safety procedures, and the history of Shenandoah National Park. Supervisors will provide regular coaching, project guidance, and constructive feedback while helping the intern develop research, communication, and presentation skills.
The intern will also have opportunities to work alongside historians, educators, preservation professionals, and community leaders while assisting with interpretive programs, educational events, and oral history projects. These experiences will provide valuable insight into career opportunities within the National Park Service and related public history professions.
Preferred applicants should demonstrate:
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, DC, Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. With over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are haven to deer, songbirds, and black bear, there’s so much to explore…and your journey begins right here!
Stipend: $17.20/Hour
Duration: 20 Weeks (Full-Time)
Location: 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835
Shenandoah National Park encompasses nearly 200,000 acres along Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and includes more than 500 miles of hiking trails, including over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The park is home to diverse wildlife, scenic overlooks, waterfalls, forests, and one of the most visited scenic roadways in the National Park System—Skyline Drive.
Interns will enjoy opportunities to experience hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, and outdoor recreation while working in one of the country’s most celebrated national parks. Nearby communities, including Luray, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Winchester, Culpeper, and the greater Washington, D.C. region, provide access to grocery stores, restaurants, healthcare, entertainment, and cultural attractions. Annual visitation exceeds one million visitors, giving interns valuable experience engaging with diverse audiences while working in a nationally recognized destination.
Yes, park housing is available.
A personal vehicle and valid driver’s license are required.
