Title: Community Engagement and Accessibility Summer Internship 2025

State Role Title: Paid Intern

Hiring Range: $15.00/hour

Pay Band: UG

Agency: The Science Museum of Virginia

Location: Broad Street Station

Agency Website: https://smv.org/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Through the Science within Reach Initiative, the Science Museum of Virginia works with diverse communities to identify their needs and find solutions to break down barriers of access. Museum inclusion means that these guests are able to engage and participate in learning alongside, not segregated from, their classmates, friends, and families and that learning opportunities are presented through a variety of modes, media, and platforms. The Science Museum seeks an intern who will assist the Museum in developing and expanding outreach to new and existing Science Within Reach audiences.

Under the leadership of the Community Engagement Coordinator, the intern will audit internal accessibility tools and make recommendations. They will research and attend community cultural events. Most importantly, while helping refresh the Museum’s community network database, they will gather information on community needs and produce a meaningful document to inform the Museum’s outreach and engagement goals.

All Summer Interns will gain exposure and an insider view of a wide cross-section of museum career opportunities and develop leadership skills as well as hands-on project experience. Internship activities will include meetings with Museum senior leaders, direct work experience, professional development, participation in breakfast club presentations on science and the Museum field, and networking opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age and be enrolled as college undergraduates or graduate students
• First generation college students are encouraged to apply
• Candidates should be comfortable finding creative solutions to problems of access and inclusion
• Enjoy working with people of all backgrounds - especially people with disabilities (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Blind/Low Vision, Deaf/Hard of Hearing) or other minority populations
• Desire to make informal education accessible to all in a professional and positive way
• Prior involvement in building relationships with community members or desire to enhance community engagement skills
• Demonstrate maturity, common sense, flexibility, and reliability
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines while following the supervisor’s instructions and guidance
• Ability to take constructive criticism and feedback well and apply it for the remainder of their internship
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
  

Additional Considerations

• Experience working with children of various ages is a plus.
• ASL or Spanish language competencies is a plus. 
  

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.

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.

Interested candidates must apply through the Commonwealth of Virginia job website, which can be accessed via https://jobs.virginia.gov/

All submissions must include a letter of intent describing their interest in the specific internship, a résumé, and two letters of reference.

Commitment

• This is a paid internship position. Interns will be expected to complete a minimum of 300 hours between Mid-May and Mid-August and will be paid at an hourly rate of $15/hr.
• Candidates selected for interviews should be prepared to discuss their general summer availability during the interview.
• If you will be receiving school credit for your internship, your specific program will determine required hours and schedule. Interns must commit to participating in any/all training sessions associated with the position
• Interns must commit to participating in any/all training sessions associated with the position.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

The Science Museum will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Contact Information

Name: Jared Strawderman

Phone: 804-864-1514

Email: jstrawderman@smv.org

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.