Title: Early Childhood Education Intern

State Role Title: Education Support Assistant

Hiring Range: $13.83/hour

Pay Band: 1

Agency: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Location: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Agency Website: https://www.vmfa.museum

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) is seeking two flexible and highly organized individuals to join the Education Department as Early Childhood Education Interns.

The selected candidates will be employed in these positions from April 10-August 16, 2026, with an hourly rate of $13.83. The Interns must be available to work mornings, Monday through Friday, and one weekend a month to help with weekend classes.

The Early Childhood Education Interns support Early Childhood Education programs through research, preparation and content implementation. Hired applicants can expect in-classroom experiences working with early learners in Curiosity Camps, Classes, and Pre-K Group Visits. The selected candidates will perform administrative, organizational, and clerical tasks that support the program. They will also assist in various capacities as the program prepares for installing the Annual Early Childhood Student Exhibition.

The hired individuals can expect to spend the first part of the internship (May/June) immersed in inquiry-based indoor and outdoor classroom experiences, working with students ages 3-5 years old in VMFA’s Curiosity Camps. Interns will collaborate with VMFA Early Childhood Educators as they facilitate and guide these Mon.-Fri. drop-off camps.

At the completion of Curiosity Camps, Interns will pivot to assisting with Guided Group Visits and Caregiver-accompanied Classes. Interns engage in résumé-building classroom experiences, leading components of lessons that culminate in writing and teaching a lesson themselves.

Hired applicants will assist with other organizational projects throughout the summer, including supporting the ECE Library collection, pedagogical and art historical content for presentations to adults in infant programs, and material preparation for lessons for teachers.

Minimum Qualifications

-Previous experience working in an educational setting with young children.

-Knowledge of basic child development demonstrated from work experiences and/or college coursework.

-Coursework in early childhood education, art education, art history, or a related field.

-Excellent organizational and customer service skills.

-Be comfortable performing physical tasks, including lifting items up to 30 lbs., moving objects, standing for extended periods, and supervising children outdoors.

-Must be able to work mornings Monday-Friday, and one Saturday a month.

Additional Considerations

Preferred Qualifications include:

-First Aid and CPR training.

-Knowledge of studio art disciplines and art history.

-Demonstrated knowledge of Reggio-inspired and/or inquiry-based curriculum approaches.

The selected candidate must pass a criminal history background check.

VMFA is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

This position is open to the general public. Candidates need to apply through the Commonwealth of Virginia job website, which can be accessed at https://www.jobs.virginia.gov.

All applications should include a cover letter and résumé that includes a list of three professional or educational references. Candidates are encouraged to include a copy of transcripts (unofficial are fine) and a brief writing sample.

Contact Information

Name: Kim Frola

Phone: 804-340-1461

Email: kim.frola@vmfa.museum

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.