Historical Interpretation Intern

Triangle Land Conservancy; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Triangle Land Conservancy is seeking a History Interpretation Intern to research the land use and human history of TLC preserves. The intern will craft interpretive content, blog posts, and presentations under supervision of the Education and Outreach team.

The role involves researching archival documents, interviewing staff, and developing educational materials and signage for public preserves. Flexible, part-time schedule (9–10 hours/week) over 16 weeks, starting mid January 2027, in Durham,

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a graduate program in history, public history, anthropology, museum studies, or a related field.
• Proficiency in historical research, including navigating primary and secondary sources.
• Experience with navigating institutional archives (University Libraries, State and County records, etc.).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Experience or strong interest in interpreting history accurately and completely, including the stories of enslaved, Indigenous, and marginalized communities connected to TLC land.

Responsibilities

• Create a navigable literature review of historical information for Bailey and Sarah Williamson Nature Preserve, and one other public TLC preserve.
• Develop interpretive content and public educational materials for TLC preserves (blog posts, presentations).
• Collaborate with the Education and Outreach team and the communications department on interpretive materials.
• Interview staff and key stakeholders; review historical documents in institutional archives; utilize UNC Histories Project resources.

Skills

Historical research

Archive research

Interpreting history

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Graduate program in history/public history/museum studies

Job description

Job Title: Historical Interpretation Intern Salary: $20/hour

Expected Start & End Date: Mid January — Early April 2027

Application Deadline: Midnight on Wednesday, November 11^,^2026

About Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC)

TLC is an accredited and highly-respected land trust working in the rapidly growing Triangle region of North Carolina. Since 1983, TLC has conserved over 29,000 acres of land to safeguard drinking water, support family farms, protect important natural habitat, and connect people with nature. TLC is headquartered in vibrant downtown Durham, with two satellite offices, offering a hybrid workplace. This is an exciting time to work at TLC as we are seeing a dramatic increase in the use of our public nature preserves and growth in community support for our mission. TLC has just completed a major fundraising campaign to maintain the pace of conservation and is conserving over 1,200 acres annually in addition to monitoring and stewarding TLC-conserved lands in perpetuity, hosting numerous public events and education programs, providing meaningful volunteer opportunities, and cultivating future leaders. Learn more at triangleland.org

Position Summary

This intern position will research and synthesize historical information related to the land use and human history of TLC’s public nature preserves. They will also provide interpretive content such as blog posts and presentations about the historical timelines of TLC preserves, to create a more well-rounded understanding of our work with the community. The intern will be supervised by Senior Volunteer and Outreach Associate and work alongside the Education and Outreach team housed within the Advancement department.

Focus Areas & Internship Deliverables

The primary deliverable is to create a navigable literature review of historical information for Bailey and Sarah Williamson Nature Preserve, and one other public TLC preserve to begin building a database for future use by:

• Utilizing resources collected by the UNC Histories Project
• Interviewing staff and key stakeholders
• Reviewing historical documents in institutional archives,
• Working with organizational partners such as Historic Stagville

The secondary deliverable will be to interpret the historical information and timelines of one of TLC’s public preserves by:

• Developing a public educational program or interpretive signage about the historical information found through research
• Collaborating with the communications department on interpretive materials and set up systems for organizing the resources found for future use
• Writing one blog post on information found during the internship

Skills and Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a graduate program in history, public history, anthropology, museum studies, or a related field
• Proficiency in historical research, including navigating primary and secondary sources
• Experience with navigating institutional archives (University Libraries, State and County records, etc.)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Experience or strong interest in interpreting history accurately and completely, including the stories of enslaved, Indigenous, and marginalized communities connected to TLC land
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Office 365, including Outlook

Skills that are beneficial, but not required:

• Courses in environmental education, communications, or similar fields are beneficial
• Ability to commit to 3-5 hour time blocks is preferrable

Work Schedule and Benefits

This is a temporary, part-time, non-exempt internship of 9-10 hours per week over 16 weeks, with a flexible schedule set in coordination with the intern’s supervisor. After onboarding, a typical week will consist primarily of computer-based historical research, including reviewing archival records, deeds, maps, and other primary sources, and documenting findings about the history of TLC’s preserves and the surrounding landscape. The intern will participate in regular in-person collaboration at a TLC office (approximately one day per week), with occasional site visits to TLC preserves as opportunities arise. The intern will receive guidance and support from their supervisor and other team members throughout the internship. This position does not qualify for paid leave (e.g., vacation or sick time), health insurance, or other employee benefits. When TLC is closed for holidays, the position will receive unpaid time off.

Equal Opportunity

TLC is an equal opportunity employer that recruits, hires, trains, and promotes individuals without regard to color, race, religious belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, or age. People of color, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply.