HR Intern

Summary

The International Spy Museum is a private nonprofit museum dedicated to educating the public about the world of espionage and intelligence through exhibitions, educational programs, special events, and public outreach. The Human Resources department supports the museum's mission and goals through strategic HR initiatives, enabling our employees to deliver exceptional experiences to our visitors.

The Human Resources Department is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented HR Intern to support our mission of fostering a positive, inclusive and engaging workplace culture. This intern will assist with general HR administration support, recruitment and onboarding assistance, employee engagement activities, and contribute to special projects focused on HR organization and process support.

This internship offers a hands-on opportunity to gain practical exposure to foundational HR functions within a vibrant and unique museum environment while working closely with members of the HR Team.

Responsibilities (Subject to Adjustment by Mutual Agreement)

Working closely with the HR Team, this work will focus on the following projects and deliverables:

• Organize and label physical HR storage spaces, including files, supplies, and equipment located in HR offices and designated storage areas.
• Support the onboarding program for new hires by preparing orientation materials, coordinating logistics, and assisting during onboarding sessions.
• Collaborate with teams and provide logistical and administrative support for employee engagement and culture initiatives, including wellness and wellbeing programs, HR related meetings, and onboarding activities.
• Assist with day-to-day HR administrative tasks, including filing, data entry, document preparation, and logging HR related inquiries.
• Assist with the recruitment activities, including posting job openings and helping review candidate applications in ADP Workforce.
• Help organize and maintain both physical and electronic non-confidential records.
• Respond to general, non-confidential employee inquiries and provide support for HR-related processes in collaboration with an HR Team member.

Key Project:

HR Foundations: Records, Organization & Onboarding Support

Support the HR Team in maintaining organized and accessible HR records and workspaces. This project will focus on assisting with electronic file organization and nomenclature updates, organizing physical HR storage spaces, and helping to develop and maintain a simple inventory tracking system for HR office materials and supplies.

Support elements of the onboarding experience by assisting with orientation preparation, participation, and feedback collection. This project will be divided into manageable phases throughout the internship and may include reviewing current practices, organizing materials, supporting implementation of improved systems, assisting during orientations, and compiling feedback or observations to support long-term sustainability.

Education Requirement

• This internship is open to individuals currently pursuing a certificate or degree in Human Resources, or a related field.

What We're Looking For:

• Strategic Organizational Skills

Ability to strategically organize physical and electronic information, materials, and workspaces in a manner that improves efficiency, accessibility, and long-term sustainability. Demonstrates the ability to create systems, prioritize tasks, and think proactively about how organizational structures support the needs of the HR team and museum employees.

• Technology Proficiency

Demonstrated comfort learning and using technology, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Ability to work with spreadsheets, digital file management systems, and online collaboration tools. Experience organizing information electronically and troubleshooting basic technical challenges is highly valued.

• Initiative and Problem Solving

Demonstrates resourcefulness and the ability to identify opportunities to improve processes and workflows. Comfortable working independently on projects while recognizing when to seek guidance.

• Communication and Collaboration

Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with employees, managers, and colleagues through verbal, written, and interpersonal communication. Works collaboratively across teams and contributes to a positive work environment.

• Attention to Detail and Confidentiality

Able to manage data accurately and handle HR-related tasks with precision while exercising sound judgment and maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of employee information and HR records.

Hours and Compensation*

• 2026 Fall Internship

o Up to 240 hours over 10 weeks. 6 to 8 hours, 3 to 4 days a week, between September and November/December.

o Weekly hours and schedule will be determined based on department needs and the student's academic schedule.

• This is a paid internship with a DC hourly minimum wage of $18.40 per hour.
• The internship does not entitle, nor guarantee, the intern employment at the conclusion of the internship.
• The International Spy Museum offers academic credit for this internship. The Museum will work with the intern to complete all necessary forms to receive credit, but the intern is responsible for making all appropriate arrangements with their school or organization.
• This is an in-person internship located in Washington, DC.

How to apply: For consideration, please submit application materials online at spymuseum.org/about/careers/. This internship requires a resume, cover letter, and one letter of recommendation to be submitted by Thursday, August 31st, 2026.