Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument

Work Environment

The Education & Interpretation Intern will work primarily indoors at the park office and the historic Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home, with additional responsibilities taking place outdoors during educational programs, community outreach events, and special park activities.

Most daily work will occur in climate-controlled environments; however, interns should be prepared for Mississippi’s warm summer temperatures. The park provides heat safety training, drinking water, sunscreen, and other resources to ensure a safe working environment during outdoor activities.

The park has successfully hosted HBCUI and other National Park Service interns in recent years, creating a collaborative environment where interns work closely with experienced park staff while gaining valuable professional experience.

Description

The Education & Interpretation Intern will work alongside the Supervisory Park Ranger and Lead Ranger to expand educational programming and interpretive experiences at Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument.

Building upon ongoing research supported through a National Park Foundation grant, the intern will help transform historical research into engaging educational materials designed specifically for students and young audiences. Working with primary source documents and archival collections, the intern will assist with researching significant civil rights cases associated with Medgar Evers while helping make these stories accessible through age-appropriate educational resources.

Primary responsibilities include:

  • Conducting historical research using archival collections and primary sources
  • Assisting with research at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History
  • Developing educational materials for elementary and middle school students
  • Creating classroom activities, informational handouts, and interpretive resources
  • Designing a visitor trifold highlighting key stories from the park’s digital StoryMap
  • Supporting school outreach programs and educational events
  • Assisting with interpretation of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home
  • Participating in special park events, including Juneteenth and Medgar Evers birthday programs
  • Developing a thematic tour outline and audience-centered interpretive experiences

By the conclusion of the internship, the participant will have created educational resources that support school programming while helping visitors better understand the lives, leadership, and legacy of Medgar and Myrlie Evers.

Learning Goals

The internship provides practical experience in education, interpretation, historical research, curriculum development, and public engagement.

The intern will strengthen skills in lesson planning, educational activity development, public speaking, audience-centered interpretation, storytelling, and historical research while learning how the National Park Service develops educational programming for students and visitors.

Working with archival collections and primary source materials, the participant will also gain experience conducting historical research and translating complex historical information into engaging educational content for diverse audiences.

By the end of the internship, the participant will have developed valuable experience in education, public history, interpretation, research, communication, and program development.

Mentorship

The Education & Interpretation Intern will receive direct mentorship from the Supervisory Park Ranger, Lead Ranger, and additional members of the park’s interpretation team.

The intern will work closely with staff throughout the internship while learning the foundations of National Park Service interpretation, audience-centered experiences, educational programming, and public history. Regular meetings and project reviews will provide opportunities for feedback, guidance, and professional development.

The intern will also participate in community outreach activities, educational events, and special programs that provide networking opportunities with educators, historians, community organizations, and National Park Service professionals. Additional professional development opportunities will be made available throughout the internship whenever possible.

Desired Skills and Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include:

  • Interest in history, public history, education, museum studies, African American history, or related humanities fields
  • Strong research and writing skills
  • Interest in working with students and educators
  • Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences
  • Public speaking or presentation experience
  • Interest in curriculum development and educational programming
  • Experience conducting historical research
  • Familiarity with archival or primary source materials
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively
  • Strong organizational and communication skills

Successful candidates should enjoy learning, teaching, and helping visitors connect with history through engaging educational experiences.

Medgar and Myrlie Evers were partners in the civil rights struggle. The assassination of Medgar Evers in the carport of their home on June 12, 1963, was the first murder of a nationally significant leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, and it became a catalyst for passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

  • Find out what to expect

FAQs

  • Must be able to pass a federal background check  
  • Must be between 16 and 30 years of age 
  • Must be U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident  
  • Current student or recent graduate (no more than two years) from a Historically Black  College and University 
  • Participation in the Career and Leadership Workshop 

Stipend: $17.20/Hour 

Duration: 11 Weeks (Full-Time) 

Location: 1425 Lelia Drive,
Jackson, Mississippi 39216

Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument is located in Jackson, Mississippi, within the historic neighborhood where Medgar and Myrlie Evers lived and where their family made an enduring impact on American history.

The park includes the preserved Evers family home and Myrlie’s Garden, an outdoor gathering space used for educational programs, community events, and interpretive activities. The surrounding neighborhood remains home to many families with longstanding connections to the community, providing interns with opportunities to engage directly with individuals whose personal histories are closely tied to the park’s story.

Jackson offers convenient access to grocery stores, restaurants, healthcare facilities, and other everyday services. Summers are typically hot and humid, but interns will have the opportunity to work at one of the National Park Service’s most significant civil rights sites while developing meaningful educational programs that help connect visitors and students with an important chapter of American history.

No, park housing is not available. 

Yes, a personal vehicle is required, and you must have a valid driver’s license.

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