Wooden Objects Internship

Wooden Objects Internship

Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

Duration: Fall 2026 (12 months)
Location: Peebles Island State Park (Cohoes, NY)
Hours: 37.5 hours/week (flexible hours 8:30-4:30)

Pay rate: $21.57/hour 

Established in 1972, the Bureau of Historic Sites (BHS) provides technical support to New York's state-owned parks and historic sites. It is headquartered at the Peebles Island Resource Center, a rehabilitated factory complex located
in Peebles Island State Park, a scenic, 158-acre green space at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers.

The Bureau helps to safeguard New York's rich heritage through a variety of projects and programs that document, preserve, and interpret historic, cultural, and natural resources at state parks and historic sites. The Conservation
Unit is made up of seven discipline-specific labs with separate dedicated workspaces, along with shared analytical equipment, photography studio, and spray booth.

Under the supervision of a NYS Parks conservator, the selected candidate will perform various tasks related to the conservation and preservation of New York State’s historic collections. In particular, work will focus on conservation
treatments in support of the reinstallation of collections at John Jay Homestead.

Job duties may include but are not limited to:
• Writing examination reports, treatment proposals, and treatment reports
• Photography of artworks before, during, and after treatment
• Conducting conservation treatments of objects and furniture
• Speaking with curators and site managers about treatment options and choices
• Working with TMS online database to upload treatment documents
• Analysis of objects using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, and/or InGaAs Infrared imaging
• Preparation of collections for storage or travel
• Installation of collections at New York State Historic Sites
• Attending unit meetings

Work will take place mostly at the Bureau of Historic Sites (BHS) Collections Care facility on Peebles Island near Albany, NY, with the potential for some travel to NY State Historic Sites (during work hours, in a provided state vehicle driven by a Parks employee). The candidate will work under the supervision of the Wooden Objects Conservator, with exact projects to be determined based on their skills and interests, as well as BHS project priorities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Candidates should be currently enrolled in a recognized graduate level conservation training program, specializing in objects or furniture, with some experience conserving wooden objects.
• A bachelor’s degree in studio art, art history, chemistry, history, or another related field is preferred.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license that allows the candidate to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
• Must possess basic computer skills, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work independently as well as with others.
• Ability to perform medium to heavy physical labor, including medium-heavy lifting.
• Will be required to wear a half mask respirator with cartridges.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with TMS Collections or similar database.

BENEFITS:
This position has the option to join the NYS Employee’s Retirement System and may be eligible for health insurance, dental and vision coverage as well as the opportunity for paid time off in the form of vacation, sick, personal and holiday leave after time and service requirements has been met.

TO APPLY: 

Please email your letter of interest and resume to Paige Schmidt at: paige.schmidt@parks.ny.gov
 

Please include "Internship" in your subject line.

Applications will be accepted until April 1, 2026.