The State Archives of North Carolina is seeking a Summer 2026 Preventive Conservation Intern. The position is funded by the FOA (Friends of the Archives) for 300 hours at $15 per hour (30 hours/week for 10 weeks or 40 hours/week for 7.5 weeks) with Intern start date established based on the Intern's schedule but established between May and early July. The application will be due April 1st and entails a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcript. Here is a link to the application, as well as internship description and qualifications: SANC Paid Internships | NC Archives.
The Conservation Unit is seeking a Summer 2026 Preventive Conservation Intern to assist with collections housing and other preservation and collections care tasks. Our Summer 2026 Intern's primary project will be to participate in our collections housing workflow, housing incoming conservation requests and contributing to collections surveys that center enclosure creation, such as our ongoing survey of Private Collections scrapbooks. The Intern will learn from the Archives Conservator how to build the following: archival folders, polyester encapsulation, archival 4-flap wrappers, cradles (for conservation purposes and for our Search Room patrons), telescoping corrugated board boxes, corrugated board clamshells, cloth clamshells, and other specialty storage and/or display structures, to the specifications of collection material. The intern will also learn basic conservation techniques with the opportunity to work on a treatment (time permitting) through the Lab and under the direct supervision of the Archives Conservator. Our Summer intern will shadow the Archives Conservator as they engage in preservation and conservation practices, such as collection examination, condition documentation, and treatment. The Preventive Conservation intern will assist with data collection for integrated pest management and environmental monitoring of the Archives, State Record Center, and offsite stacks. The 2026 Preventive Conservation intern will assist with preparation for travelling exhibits.
The Conservation Unit at the State Archives consists of the Collections Management Branch Head, the Conservator, and the Conservation Technician. The Conservation Unit develops and implements a division preservation program, and liaises with archivists to realize conservation needs, recommending a course of action, and carrying out treatments and creating custom housing as needed. In addition to the treatment of collection material, the Conservation Unit also assesses the condition of collection material for loans and prepares said materials for display and/or transport. The Conservator also responds to inquiries from agencies and the public to offer preservation advice for records and personal or family belongings. The Conservation Unit maintains and operates within the Archives' Conservation Lab.
I'm currently employed as Archives Conservator for the State Archives of North Carolina, and I am happy to answer any questions about the Internship. Please, do not hesitate to reach out via email: lucy.dunphybarsness@dncr.nc.gov.
