Preservation Craftsperson Intern

Company: Proprietors of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn
Location: Cambridge
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Organization: Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and now visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19 th century. Marble, granite and sandstone monuments by local stone-carvers as well as many of America’s leading sculptors populate the Cemetery’s 175 acres marking the lives of locally and nationally significant figures. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants overall. Roles and Responsibilities: As a Preservation Craftsperson Intern, you will work closely with Mount Auburn’s preservation staff to repair and stabilize monuments and headstones using both traditional and modern methods. Responsibilities may include repointing masonry, performing adhesive repairs on marble, slate, sandstone, and granite, and resetting loose or leaning markers. You will learn to mix and apply appropriate mortar formulations, execute high?quality stone patches, and clean a variety of stone types using approved detergents, steam, and chemical treatments. Additional training may involve resetting granite steps and curbing, assisting with cast?iron fence work, maintaining wayfinding signage, and using mobile, cloud?based software to survey and prioritize preservation projects. Requirements include: A strong preservation ethic, patience, and the desire to perform careful, conscientious and lasting repairs to these invaluable historic resources. Prior hands-on preservation experience is preferred. Must be able to operate a variety of hand and power tools safely and effectively including but not limited to various drills, circular saw, table saw, miter saw, angle grinder, reciprocating saw, and bench grinder Basic computer skills required and the ability to use a mouse and/or standard keyboard, iPads and computer equipment. Must possess a valid driver’s license. Physical Demands: Heavy work that includes moving, adjusting, or carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds on a [frequent/constant/occasional] basis Position involves moving in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments for extended period including, remaining in a stationary position and/or performing activities such as climbing, bending, twisting, reaching and pulling. Must be able to perform physically strenuous work, outdoors throughout the summer in all weather conditions. The Preservation Craftsperson is a paid internship. The internship traditionally runs from June through August (12 weeks). Some flexibility on start and end dates. The salary range is $23.00 - $25.00/hour. Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.

Keywords: Proprietors of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn, Cambridge , Preservation Craftsperson Intern, Construction - Building Trades , Cambridge, Massachusetts