Archival Intern - Lansing Board of Water & Light

Posted on 9/21/25 

Thank you for your interest in the BWL. We think you'll find it a rewarding and nurturing place to grow your career.

Starting Salary Range: $22.00 - $22.00

The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) has an opening for an Archival Intern, as part of our Public Relations & Marketing team, located in Lansing, MI.
 
Job Type: Full-Time Summer Internship
Dates: May 11, 2026 - August 07, 2026
Pay Rate: $22.00 per hour.

Availability: Mon - Fri 8am – 5pm or time as approved by mentor/manager

Position Summary:

The Archival Intern will learn a variety of skills associated with planning and coordinating as they work with the Registrar for the development of BWL’s first corporate historical collection. The intern will need to be trained to use a high-resolution scanner, understand our internal number system for photographs, labeling techniques, how to use our database, and what tagging fields are required. The Archival Intern will learn from, and be supervised by, a mentor of the Public Relations & Marketing Department.

Essential Functions:

• Photograph digitization project:
• • The intern will scan each historic photo, upload it to our collections database, and tag the image with relevant information.
  • The intern will be responsible for researching each photograph that does not have sufficient information, when possible.
  • The intern will follow the structure and organization of this project to allow BWL staff to utilize the images in a variety of ways, i.e. marketing, community outreach, and museum exhibitions.
  • Additionally, digitizing and tagging each photo will provide the base information for a community-outreach initiative that will give the Greater Lansing Community access to photographs that may feature family, friends, and old coworkers.
• Required to follow BWL Safety Manual and wear personal protective equipment for all field work.
• Attends training and safety awareness and/or skills improvement as required by the BWL or government agency such as MIOSHA.
• Expected to comply with all BWL policies and work rules.
• Predictable and reliable attendance.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Job Specifications:

• Must be enrolled in an accredited educational institution with a focus of history, anthropology, information studies, museum studies or other related humanities with a junior or senior status during the summer of 2026.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions: 

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Must be able to remain in a stationary position for the majority of the working day.  The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office environment, including the use of stairs.  Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment.  Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen.  Must frequently communicate with other departments and employees both verbally and in writing.  May need to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/below knee level or reach overhead.  The person in this position needs to move about in industrial environments and on uneven terrain occasionally.  May be required to recognize small numbers, letters, symbols, color on prints, and operate field instruments/equipment.  

Works in a temperature-controlled office environment, with occasional work in outdoor weather conditions and industrial environments. 

Must successfully complete a background check, a substance screening and a physical (if applicable). 

Why Should You Apply?
•    Skills development, and opportunities for professional growth
•    Tours to BWL facilities and other local companies
•    Volunteering opportunities
•    Networking opportunities
•    Satisfaction of delivering high-quality, essential services to the people of greater Lansing

About BWL:
The Board of Water & Light serves Lansing, Michigan, and surrounding areas with electricity, water, and steam. Lansing's city charter vests the BWL with full and exclusive management of water, steam, and electric services for or the city. The American Public Power Association has honored the Lansing Board of Water & Light as one of the country's best publicly owned utilities.
 
The Location:
Lansing lies at the heart of the Great Lakes State and offers all the beauty and splendor of the four seasons. A haven for swimming, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, golf, and hunting, mid-Michigan is also just a couple hours from premier skiing and one of the most beautiful freshwater lakeshores in the world on our Lake Michigan Coast. Lansing itself is only minutes and miles away from two of the nation’s premier universities, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and boasts miles of walking, running, biking trails, Potter Park Zoo, professional sports, the arts, and fine dining.