Volunteer Newsletter
Volunteer and Internship Opportunities at the National Archives at Boston
Volunteer Opportunities
The National Archives at Boston depends on its volunteers, who commit their own time in service to the agency and the American people. All volunteers complete a Volunteer Application Form and when accepted, undergo a thorough background check. All volunteers must be American citizens.
Volunteer opportunities exist in the following areas:
Genealogy Research Assistant
Assist visitors with genealogy research, most of which is online. This may include conducting research in response to inquiries. Requires attention to detail, knowledge of genealogy and historical research, specifically with online genealogy research programs, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, especially patience and understanding when working with the public and novice researchers.
Archival Projects Assistant
Assists staff in the preservation and description of historical 19th and 20th-century federal records. Suitable only for those with capabilities for hands-on work with historic records. Training in preservation and archival practices is provided. Requires strict attention to detail, ability to handle delicate records, an interest in American history. May require work with electronic databases.
How to Apply
For more information, contact the Volunteer Coordinator:
National Archives at Boston
380 Trapelo Road
Waltham, Massachusetts 02452
Fill out and mail in the Volunteer Application Form
Internship Opportunities
The National Archives at Boston extends its reach to students pursuing professional and academic training in archival studies and practice. Our internship positions are unpaid and must be associated with earning undergraduate or graduate credit. Students interested in gaining archival or historical experience may apply for a volunteer position. All potential interns submit a resume and visit the facility for interviews, and when accepted, undergo a thorough background check. All interns must be American citizens.
The National Archives at Boston offers a special volunteer position for current college and graduate students and recent graduates in search of advancing their professional experience. See Field Experience Fellowship program, below.
Internship opportunities exist in the following areas:
Archives Internships
Interns commit to a specific schedule and participate in many of the duties of archival operations. Responsibilities may include the following: preservation and indexing of historic federal government records including placing records into new folders and boxes, making labels, entering data into computer databases; assisting with the arrangement and description of historic federal government records and preservation assessment including verifying contents of collections, making necessary changes to descriptive materials, assisting in the creating of finding aids; and cataloging. Requires strict attention to detail and adherence to proper archival practices.
Education Internships
Interns assist with the development and implementation of education materials and programs based on the holdings of the National Archives. Responsibilities may include the following: developing lesson plans, matching state and national curriculum standards to National Archives documents, developing workshops and programs for teachers and/or students, fulfilling related administrative duties including filing, organizing, and maintaining databases.
Field Experience Fellowship Program
The National Archives at Boston offers a special volunteer position for current college and graduate students and recent graduates in search of advancing their professional experience. In this unpaid position, the Archives Fellow has direct experience with all aspects of archival operations: processing of documents, holdings maintenance, public reference, public programs & education, and customer service as s/he participates as part of the archives team. A commitment of at least 2.5 FTE (about 2 days/week) over 3 months is required.
How to Apply
Contact the Internship Coordinator or Volunteer Coordinator:
National Archives at Boston
380 Trapelo Road
Waltham, Massachusetts 02452
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