The Education & Interpretation Intern will work in both indoor and outdoor environments, with approximately 60% of the internship taking place indoors and 40% outdoors. Indoor work will be performed in the park’s climate-controlled visitor center and shared office space alongside seasonal and permanent interpretive staff.
Outdoor responsibilities may include leading educational programs, conducting research, delivering interpretive presentations, and participating in special events throughout the park. Interns should be prepared to walk on uneven terrain, including sandy pathways with minimal elevation changes.
Summer weather on North Carolina’s Outer Banks can be hot and humid, with heat index values occasionally reaching 110°F. Because the internship takes place during hurricane season (June through November), the intern will receive training on the park’s severe weather response procedures and emergency preparedness.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site preserves the many stories that have shaped Roanoke Island, including Native American communities, early English exploration and settlement, Civil War history, the Freedmen’s Colony, and technological innovation through the history of radio broadcasting.
Building upon the successful work of a previous HBCUI intern, the 2026 Education & Interpretation Intern will help expand educational programming centered on the history of the Roanoke Island Freedmen’s Colony. While the park has developed interpretive exhibits and public programs related to this important chapter of American history, new curriculum materials are needed to support classroom learning and school field trips.
The intern will research historical sources and collaborate with park staff to develop educational materials aligned with North Carolina learning standards. Major projects will include creating two classroom lesson plans (one for fourth grade and one for eighth grade) along with two corresponding on-site educational programs designed for visiting school groups.
Additional responsibilities include:
Throughout the internship, the participant will contribute to expanding educational opportunities while helping visitors and students connect with an important chapter in American history.
The intern will gain practical experience in curriculum development, educational programming, historical research, interpretation, and public engagement.
Working alongside experienced National Park Service educators and interpreters, the intern will strengthen skills in lesson planning, audience-centered interpretation, public speaking, historical writing, and educational program design.
Additional learning opportunities include collaboration with community organizations, research using historical resources, and experience working in a multidisciplinary team environment. By the end of the internship, the participant will have developed valuable experience in education, interpretation, communication, and project management.
The Education & Interpretation Intern will become a member of the Interpretation and Visitor Services Division within the National Parks of the Outer Banks Group.
The internship begins with a comprehensive 40-hour interpretive training program introducing interns to National Park Service interpretation methods, audience-centered experiences, visitor services, and educational programming. Additional training opportunities include online professional development courses offered through the National Park Service and the Eppley Institute.
The intern will be mentored by the Supervisory Park Ranger and District Interpreter while also having opportunities to shadow professionals from multiple National Park Service divisions and nearby park units, including Wright Brothers National Memorial, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and Outer Banks Group Headquarters.
Additional shadowing opportunities may include wildlife biology, cultural resource management, law enforcement, park leadership, partnership development, and resource stewardship. The intern will also have opportunities to connect with National Park Service employee organizations and previous HBCUI interns to expand their professional network and explore future career pathways.
Preferred qualifications include:
Successful candidates should enjoy working with people of all ages and be excited about creating engaging educational experiences.
Amongst the shallow blue waters of the Outer Banks lies Fort Raleigh on Roanoke Island. Shaped by constant winds of change, Fort Raleigh has become a focal point of American history. From the first Algonquian-speaking people to the first English colonies, from formerly enslaved people starting anew to an inventor testing new radio technology, this island continues to be a place to forge new paths.
Stipend: $17.20/Hour
Duration: 20 Weeks (Full-Time)
Location: 1401 National Park Road, Manteo, North Carolina 27954
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is located on Roanoke Island along North Carolina’s beautiful Outer Banks. The park is just a few miles from grocery stores, restaurants, shops, and the historic waterfront community of Manteo, offering interns convenient access to everyday services while living in a unique coastal environment.
Summer on the Outer Banks brings warm temperatures, high humidity, and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Interns should expect occasional mosquitoes and biting insects, along with the possibility of severe weather during hurricane season. If a mandatory evacuation is ordered, park facilities will close and residents of park housing will be required to evacuate.
Beyond the internship, the Outer Banks offers exceptional opportunities for exploring beaches, wildlife refuges, maritime forests, historic sites, and outdoor recreation. Interns will have the opportunity to experience one of America’s most distinctive coastal regions while working at a site that preserves centuries of history and continues to inspire education, discovery, and public engagement.
Yes, park housing is available.
Yes, a personal vehicle is required, and you must have a valid driver’s license.
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