Summer Internship

The Sandy Hook Foundation (SHF) is the official nonprofit partner to the National Park Service at Sandy Hook, NJ, a unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. Established in 1989, the Foundation has funded cultural, educational, environmental, and conservation programs, and has helped restore and preserve historic structures of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Fort Hancock - both National Historic Landmarks.

In Partnership

Through public programs and events, SHF frequently engages with the over 2.2 million visitors who come to Sandy Hook annually.  With our new presence at the historic Spermaceti Lifesaving Station No. 2 and other activities and engagements over the summer, SHF interns will be exposed to a variety of experiences that will support the work of the foundation to protect and preserve the natural and cultural assets of the park.

The Summer 2024 Internship

The Sandy Hook Foundation is seeking up to 6 part-time summer interns to share shifts across four days (Thurs- Sunday) who are seeking job-training skills related to merchandising and operation of retail space at the historic Spermaceti Lifesaving Station No. 2 on Sandy Hook.  

The building is a shared space between the foundation and the National Park Service, and in May 2024 SHF will be opening the building to the public for tours, enjoyment, and a place to sit and relax, and which will include a retail section of the space set up to sell merchandise with profits returning to support our work in the park.  Additionally, public programs will be run from the Lifesaving Station and the building will be open to the public and our goal is to complement the visitor experience with the addition of opportunities to speak with representatives of the foundation and shop.  

As a volunteer (unpaid) internship experience, Sandy Hook Foundation interns will receive perks such as free park access during Summer 2024, one paid annual parking pass (value $120), a Sandy Hook Foundation sweatshirt, and most importantly learn valuable job-readiness skills, retail experience, and be trained to speak to the visiting public regarding priorities of the Foundation and our work in the park.  Spending a beautiful summer at the beach with the Sandy Hook Foundation will also provide insights about careers in the nonprofit sector and with the National Park Service.

Management and Oversight

SHF Summer Interns will be managed by Jill Sullivan, Retail and Marketing Director of the Sandy Hook Foundation. Together with a store manager, Jill will facilitate interns’ day to day work and provide training and instruction on store operations and public engagement.

Internship Roles and Responsibilities

General

• Commit to at least one four-hour shift on each Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from Memorial Day until mid-late August (16 hours/week) with a signed letter of commitment.
• Travel to and from the park in a personal vehicle.
• Able to lift up to 35 lbs, traverse stairs.

Desired Qualifications

• Interest in pursuing a career in retail management, merchandising, or store planning, and a willingness to learn about those skills in a startup environment
• Ability to notice and react to trends to optimize sales opportunities
• Flexibility to accept change and respond to new priorities and challenges
• Basic knowledge of retail math
• Tech savvy - comfortable managing multiple platforms to keep sales and inventory data organized and accurate and to conduct retail transactions
• Effective communication skills across a variety of situations
• Commitment to SHF mission in daily tasks and interactions with the public

Responsibilities and Opportunities

• Store Operations:  open or close the Sandy Hook Foundation store on assigned days/shifts according to operating procedures, keep displays neat and replenish stock when needed, help customers on the floor by making suggestions, finding sizes, and answering questions, ring up sales accurately and accept payment.
• Reporting: accurately fill out reports relating to sales and inventory and other relevant data.  This reporting will be taught and interns will learn to interpret and react to information gathered.
• Merchandising: Notice trends and react - this is a big opportunity to learn the true essence of product and visual merchandising.  What is working, what is not, and what should we do about it?  Take note and be prepared to talk about store results, what you have noticed, and make suggestions on how to improve the store on a weekly basis in a learning meeting with the Director.  Execute on any initiatives agreed upon.
• Public Relations: represent the SHF with professionalism and respect at all times and in all situations with guests.  Learn about dealing with various types of public interactions in a supported environment.
• Knowledge Base:  Learn a brief history of the organization, the building you are working in (Spermaceti Lifesaving Station) and Sandy Hook so that you can answer questions, offer insights to the public, and make informed suggestions.  Realize that in operating any store, your customers will have questions about your location and its history.  Developing that knowledge base is an important part of your customer’s experience with your brand.
• Product Development: work with Director to develop design for Benefit Concert merchandise.  Graphic design and/or fashion design majors will have the opportunity to submit their own designs for consideration.  Merchandising and/or product development majors will have the opportunity to influence the design direction and manage the timeline from production to delivery.  

The Sandy Hook Foundation is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.