Intern Community Outreach & Engagement

The Henry Ford • Dearborn, MI

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Community Engagement & Outreach Intern supports The Henry Ford’s efforts to connect museum resources, programs, and experiences with diverse communities throughout Metro Detroit and beyond, with a focus on underserved and underrepresented audiences. The intern helps build and maintain relationships with community organizations, schools, faith communities, libraries, and other partners, and supports initiatives to reduce barriers to accessing The Henry Ford’s educational and cultural offerings. The intern also supports outreach and inclusive programming that welcomes new audiences to the Jackson Home.

This is part of the Ford Foundation Equity Initiative (FFEI) Internship Program, a cohort-based program offering professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities to emerging professionals who identify with historically marginalized groups and are curious about museum careers. Participants attend mandatory bi-weekly professional development workshops on The Henry Ford’s Dearborn campus, typically on Wednesdays, and complete an end-of-cohort survey. Applicants must be available Wednesdays. The 15-week Winter 2027 internship runs January 25 through May 7, 2027, and attendance at orientation on January 25 is mandatory.

The intern gains hands-on experience in community engagement, audience development, partnership cultivation, and public programming while contributing to The Henry Ford’s mission. The position follows a hybrid schedule, including on-campus work at least once a week and attendance at special events. Work is performed on and off site at The Henry Ford’s Dearborn campuses and includes community events.

Intern compensation depends on education status: $17.00 for first-year interns currently in undergraduate or trade school; $18.00 for first-year interns with a completed undergraduate or trade degree; and $20.00 for graduate-school students and postgraduates. The job description may be modified to meet the institution’s evolving requirements. The Henry Ford encourages applications from people who identify with or belong to marginalized communities and prohibits discrimination in employment, donor, and volunteer opportunities.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a college or university.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Availability for a hybrid schedule, including on-campus work at least once a week, Monday through Friday, and availability for special events.
• Availability on Wednesdays for mandatory internship program workshops.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Clear writing and the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences.
• Ability to follow project guidelines, work independently on assigned tasks, and seek guidance when needed.
• Collaborative approach and ability to work across teams.
• Interest in community engagement and building relationships with community organizations.
• Ability to handle program and event materials weighing up to 15 pounds.
• Compassionate, empathetic, and service-focused mindset, with the ability to support, communicate, and collaborate with diverse community organizations and leaders.

Responsibilities

• Draft program communications.
• Co-lead the planning of quarterly Community Outreach Program Partner Meetings.
• Identify and design virtual and in-person engagement opportunities for Community Outreach Partners.
• Manage community partner access to special events and programs at The Henry Ford.
• Co-lead onsite and offsite community engagement and outreach events and programs.
• Support the intern lead in planning community programming for Jackson Home engagement across Metro Detroit.
• Draft a community partner survey and analyze the results to inform the future direction of the Community Outreach Program.
• Attend mandatory bi-weekly professional development workshops and complete the end-of-cohort survey.

Benefits

• Professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities through the Ford Foundation Equity Initiative Internship Program.
• Paid internship compensation based on education status: $17.00, $18.00, or $20.00.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed