Internships
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy offers short and long-term summer internship opportunities for college and graduate students interested in careers related to the Conservancy’s many departments. Interns complete hands-on projects relevant to their area of specialization while working closely with supervisors, colleagues and volunteers in their host department.
We also offer fall and spring semester internships for students currently enrolled in degree-granting programs. These internships are unpaid and require a commitment of 12 hours per week for 10 weeks. The Conservancy strongly encourages applications from students who are members of groups underrepresented in careers related to its mission.
Current Internship Opportunities
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- Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Landscape Internship - Mill Run, PA
- Robert and Harriet Kirkpatrick Education Internship - Mill Run, PA
- Judy Cheteyan Fallingwater Collections Internship - Mill Run, PA
- Fawcett Digital Multimedia Internship - Mill Run, PA
- Watershed Conservation Internship - Indiana, PA
- Watershed Conservation Internship (2 Positions) - Ridgway, PA
Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation Landscape Internship
Fallingwater, the architectural masterwork designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, seeks applications for the McKenna Foundation summer landscape internship.
Job Duties
The landscape interns are responsible for the design and installation of a project defined by the Operations Department for the Fallingwater grounds. The interns will work as a team to implement the approved design/build project. Cyclical maintenance of the Fallingwater landscape will also be part of daily responsibilities. The interns work under the direct supervision of the Horticulturist and the Senior Director of Operations. Dr. George Longenecker, Professor Emeritus at West Virginia University, will also provide guidance on a weekly basis throughout the summer.
Absolute Requirements
Enrollment in a master’s program or undergraduate program in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Landscape Contracting or related fields of study. Experience with Adobe Photoshop and CAD or other drafting software.
Physical Requirements
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Applicants must have the ability to perform strenuous outdoor landscaping tasks in a variety of weather conditions.
Location
This position's primary location(s): Fallingwater (Mill Run, PA)
Fallingwater is located in rural Mill Run, Pennsylvania (zip code 15464), and is approximately ninety minutes by car from the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Having a motor vehicle is strongly recommended as there are no stores or amenities within walking distance.
Position Duration
Ten weeks, beginning in late May and ending in early August. Interns will be expected to work during normal business hours (typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), forty hours per week.
Pay
This internship pays an hourly wage of $15.53/hour and includes free on-site housing. Interns are responsible to provide their own food, linens, laundry supplies and incidentals.Application Process
To apply, email a cover letter, resume and two letters of reference (academic or employer) to wpcjobs@paconserve.org and list Landscape Intern in the subject line.
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation (employer or professor)
Application Deadline
March 31, 2023Robert and Harriet Kirkpatrick Education Internship
Fallingwater, the architectural masterwork designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, seeks applications to fill our Fallingwater Education Department Internship. This intern will reside on-site while immersing themselves in the many organizational and curricular tasks required to provide successful educational programming at Fallingwater. This is a unique opportunity to work in the education department at a world-renowned museum and architectural site.
Fallingwater’s education department engages visitors from all over the world, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, in experiential, inquiry-based learning about Fallingwater. Site specific, immersive, observation-based learning is the foundation for Fallingwater’s education programs, which range from guided experiences for drop-in visitors to workshops for local students to week-long, studio-based residencies.
Job Duties
The education intern will work directly with education department staff to interpret Fallingwater through guided tours and other educational programs. The intern may also assist education supervisors with on-site residency programs for high school, college and adult learners; grade 3-12 educational workshops, as well as general department administrative tasks. In addition, the intern will complete an independent project. All Interns will be responsible for presenting their accomplishments to senior staff at the completion of the program. This individual will report directly to the Curator of Education.
Absolute Requirements
The applicant must be a current undergraduate, graduate student or recent graduate in education, museum education, visual art education, museum studies or any related field devoted to education. The successful candidates will possess experience in teaching, museum education, informal education and architecture education. Experience teaching from objects in a museum setting preferred.
Physical Requirements
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Location
This position's primary location(s): Fallingwater (Mill Run, PA)
Fallingwater is located in rural Mill Run, Pennsylvania (zip code 15464), and is approximately ninety minutes by car from the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Having a motor vehicle is strongly recommended as there are no stores or amenities within walking distance.
Position Duration
This position will be ten consecutive weeks in duration beginning in June of 2023. Interns will be expected to work during normal business hours (typically 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), forty hours per week. Educational programs are run seven days per week including Memorial Day and Independence Day. You will be obligated to work some weekends, evenings, and holidays although you will not be required to work in excess of forty hours per week.
Pay
This is an hourly paid internship at $15.53 an hour that includes free on-site, shared housing. Interns are required to provide their own food, clothing, linens, laundry supplies and incidentals.Application Process
To apply, email cover letter, resume, a two-page writing sample and two letters of reference to wpcjobs@paconserve.org and list FW Education Intern in the subject line.
Application Deadline
April 1, 2023Judy Cheteyan Fallingwater Collections Internship
Fallingwater, a site on the UNESCO World Heritage List designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, seeks applications for its
Judy Cheteyan Fallingwater Collections Internship. This year we seek a full-time residency intern to work exclusively with the archives collection as part of a Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Historical & Archival Care Grants project to fully process and digitize the Fallingwater archival collection.
Working under the supervision of both the registrar and director of preservation and collections, the collections intern will select one or more collections from the archives as a focused summer project. The selection will be based on diversity of content, and will be of a size and scope that can be successfully completed. Duties will include housing, organizing, and preparing a finding aid according to national standards for DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard) and EAD (Encoded Archival Description).
Job Duties
- Organization of digital files returning from outside digitization as well as creation object records in
our collection management database, PastPerfect. - Continued cataloguing of Kaufmann Family archival collection, including rehousing of archival
materials.
Preferred Qualifications
- Recent graduate or current graduate student in Library and/or Information Science with a strong interest and relevant experience in archives.
- Preference given to those with an interest and/or experience with photo archives.
Location
This position's primary location(s): Fallingwater (Mill Run, PA)
Fallingwater is located in rural Mill Run, Pennsylvania (zip code 15464), and is approximately ninety minutes by car from the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Having a motor vehicle is strongly recommended as there are no stores or amenities within walking distance.
Position Duration
Ten weeks, beginning June 5, 2023, and ending August 11, 2023. Interns will be expected to work during normal business hours (typically Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm), 40 hours per week. June 19 and July 4 are unpaid holidays.
Additional Details
- Coed, shared housing is provided at no charge
- Interns are required to provide their own food, linens, laundry supplies and toiletries
- Having a motor vehicle is strongly recommended as there are no stores or amenities within walking distance
- Ride sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, are currently not available in the area surrounding Fallingwater
Pay
This is a paid internship at the rate of $15.53 per hour.Application Process
To apply, email the following items to wpcjobs@paconserve.org and list FW Collections Intern in the subject line:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Two letters of reference (academic or employer)
- Essay of 500 words on how this internship program fits your academic and/or career goals
Application Deadline
March 31, 2023Fawcett Digital Multimedia Internship
Fallingwater, the architectural masterwork designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is seeking a digital multimedia intern for summer 2023. This is a unique opportunity to work at and help promote and share the importance of Fallingwater, a renowned architectural site on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This internship will enhance your skills and build experience in the fields of social media, digital communications, photography, videography and public relations. The intern will work in collaboration with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s communications department on various projects to help promote Fallingwater.
Job Duties
- Social Media Posts and Planning: Support Fallingwater’s social media platforms by writing content, taking photos, shooting video and/or repurposing existing content to be used on Facebook and Instagram. Assist with social media content and analytics for Fallingwater that keeps audiences informed and interested to help attract and engage new and current fans and followers.
- Website Content Development: Support Fallingwater’s website presence through various projects that may include, taking photos, reviewing archival photos, recording video and audio, and developing graphic elements for the website. May also help upload, edit and optimize website content in WordPress.
Preferred Qualifications
- Student with progress toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree in digital communications, multimedia communications, media arts, social media, design, communications or a related field.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to work independently.
- Proficiency in one or more of the areas of social media, website content management systems, videography and video editing, photography, and photo editing is required.
- Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite applications and the use of a DSLR camera are required.
- The intern will also perform other multimedia duties as assigned, such as photographing special events or preservation work at Fallingwater.
Location
This position's primary location(s): Fallingwater (Mill Run, PA)
Fallingwater is located in rural Mill Run, Pennsylvania (zip code 15464), and is approximately ninety minutes by car from the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Having a motor vehicle is strongly recommended as there are no stores or amenities within walking distance.
Position Duration
Ten weeks from June 5 to August 11, 2023. The intern will be expected to work during normal business hours (typically 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), 40 hours per week. Occasional work outside of regular hours could be required for urgent or special projects. June 19 and July 4 are unpaid holidays.
Additional Details
- Coed, shared housing is provided at no charge
- Interns are required to provide their own food, linens, laundry supplies and toiletries
- Having a motor vehicle is strongly recommended as there are no stores or amenities within walking distance
- Ride sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, are currently not available in the area surrounding Fallingwater
Pay
This is a paid internship at the rate of $15.53 per hour.Application Process
To apply, email cover letter, resume, two letters of reference, two social media examples and one writing example, or a link to an online portfolio, to wpcjobs@paconserve.org and list Multimedia Intern in the subject line.
Application Deadline
April 7, 2023Watershed Conservation Internship
Watershed Conservation Office (Indiana, PA)
The intern will assist with implementing a variety of watershed restoration projects and aquatic surveys, in close coordination with watershed conservation staff.
Job Duties
- Water quality monitoring & assessment
- Watershed restoration and stream habitat enhancement
- Agricultural best management practices
- Volunteer training
- Project design, planning, and implementation
- Biological survey work focusing on macroinvertebrates, various fish species, hellbender salamanders, and/or freshwater mussels
Absolute Requirements
- Proficiency with all Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel
- Able to travel to various worksites and willing to work some evenings, weekends and overnight trips as needed
- The ability to conduct field research in remote locations as part of a team is essential for this position
Physical Requirements
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Utilizing keyboarding and fine motor skills
- Utilizing gross motor skills to operate tools and equipment
- Driving a motor vehicle
- Pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds
- Bending, twisting, stooping, crouching, kneeling, and crawling
- Reaching overhead, at, and below eye level
- Swimming and wading in flowing water
- Climbing up and down stairways and ladders
- Sitting/standing/walking for periods in excess of 2 hours traversing rugged terrain
- Speaking and hearing in-person, telephone, and other remote speech (2-way radio)
- Seeing with near, far, and peripheral visual acuity
- Working evenings and weekend hours
Qualifications
To be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Location
This position's primary location(s): Watershed Conservation Office (Indiana, PA)
Position Duration
- This is a part-time temporary position.
- Spring/Summer of 2023 for approximately 12 weeks (480 hours)
- Tentative term dates: May 08, 2023 to August 11, 2023
Pay
$15.53 per hourApplication Process
Please send a cover letter and resume to wpcjobs@paconserve.org and list Watershed Intern – Indiana in the subject line.
Application Deadline
May 31, 2023Watershed Conservation Internship (2 Positions)
Allegheny Regional Office (Ridgway, PA)
Interns will assist with implementing a variety of watershed restoration projects and aquatic surveys, in close coordination with watershed conservation staff. These internships are made possible by the Dr. William C. Conrad Stackpole Hall Foundation Summer Jobs Program.
Job Duties
- Water quality monitoring & assessment
- Watershed restoration and stream habitat enhancement
- Agricultural best management practices
- Volunteer training
- Project design, planning, and implementation
- Biological survey work focusing on macroinvertebrates, various fish species, hellbender salamanders, and/or freshwater mussels
Requirements
- Progress toward the completion of a degree or enrolled for the upcoming Fall 2023 semester in a major of biology, watershed science, stream ecology, environmental studies or a related field
- Be a current Elk County, PA resident
- Must meet PHEAA financial eligibility requirements
- Be currently enrolled at least half-time (six credits) in a PHEAA-approved higher education institution in a program of study at least two years in length; High School Seniors are eligible if they will meet this requirement in the upcoming Fall 2023 Semester.
Absolute Requirements
- Proficiency with all Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel
- Able to travel to various worksites and willing to work some evenings, weekends, and overnight trips as needed
- The ability to conduct field research in remote locations as part of a team is essential for this position
Physical Requirements
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Utilizing keyboarding and fine motor skills
- Utilizing gross motor skills to operate tools and equipment
- Driving a motor vehicle
- Pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds
- Bending, twisting, stooping, crouching, kneeling, and crawling
- Reaching overhead, at, and below eye level
- Swimming and wading in flowing water
- Climbing up and down stairways and ladders
- Sitting/standing/walking for periods in excess of 2 hours traversing rugged terrain
- Speaking and hearing in-person, telephone, and other remote speech (2-way radio)
- Seeing with near, far, and peripheral visual acuity
- Working evenings and weekend hours
Qualifications
To be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Location
This position's primary location(s): Allegheny Regional Office (Ridgway, PA)
Position Duration
- This is a part-time temporary position.
- Spring/Summer of 2023 for approximately 12 weeks (480 hours)
- Tentative term dates: May 08, 2023 to August 11, 2023
Pay
$12 per hourApplication Process
Please send a letter, resume to wpcjobs@paconserve.org and list Watershed Intern – Ridgway in the subject line.
Applicants must also complete a PHEAA Work Study application available online through the Stackpole-Hall Foundation Summer Jobs Program website.
Application Deadline
May 31, 2023COVID-19 Considerations
All WPC/Fallingwater locations are mask friendly, but not required. We are encouraging vaccinations. All employees are required to follow the WPC Covid policy in effect, which is subject to change based on CDC recommendations.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer – Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation / Age.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is fully committed to diversity and inclusion. We seek contributors from all backgrounds to join our team. Read our equal opportunity employer statement.