About The Position
American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), is recruiting a member for its Traditional Trades Advancement Program at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park in coastal South Carolina. The position is scheduled to start January 11, 2027, and is estimated to end July 9, 2027; a minimum 26-week commitment is required. The member will work full-time, approximately 40 hours per week, with specific workdays and hours determined by the park. The member will work alongside NPS staff on historic preservation projects and receive hands-on instruction and mentorship in traditional trades, including carpentry, painting, masonry, metalwork, and monument care. Projects may include brick repointing, concrete spalling repair and weatherproofing, historic cannon and monument conservation, metal preservation, wood window preservation, and painting exterior surfaces. The placement is intended to build practical preservation skills, support the park's historic preservation needs, and provide exposure to land management agencies and preservation professionals. ACE members receive position-specific orientation and training, including traditional preservation techniques, shop and power-tool safety, scaffolding and ladder safety, hazard assessments, and operational leadership training. The role may involve domestic travel and work in indoor and outdoor historic and coastal settings under changing weather and temperature conditions. NPS or ACE will provide vehicles if needed, project tools and equipment, and required personal protective equipment. The member is expected to contribute about 40 hours per week and will receive a living allowance of $800 per week, paid biweekly, to offset food and incidental expenses, plus a $1,000 housing stipend. Up to $1,500 is available for eligible training and travel expenses, and up to $1,000 for eligible professional development expenses. This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority; members who meet eligibility requirements may qualify for federal hiring authority after completing their service term and 640 service hours.
Requirements
- Willingness and ability to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
- Ability to work independently and contribute positively as a member of a group.
- Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record; documentation must be provided upon request. Members must be at least 21 to drive under ACE insurance requirements.
- Willingness to undergo and pass required criminal history checks.
- Ability to perform the essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Must complete required timesheets and program feedback and evaluation forms.
- Must not participate in activities prohibited by the Member Service Agreement.
- Must meet applicable Public Land Corps eligibility requirements, including age and citizenship criteria, to be considered for this position.
Nice To Haves
- Hold or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
- Interest in historic preservation, traditional trades, carpentry, masonry, painting, metalwork, or monument conservation.
- Ability and willingness to work collaboratively.
- Interest in developing hands-on skills in historic preservation and cultural resource management.
- Willingness to learn new techniques and follow established safety procedures.
Responsibilities
- Work with NPS staff on historic preservation projects at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park.
- Perform preservation work that may include brick repointing, concrete repair and weatherproofing, cannon and monument conservation, historic metal preservation, wood window preservation, and exterior painting.
- Develop practical skills in carpentry, painting, masonry, metalwork, monument care, and other traditional preservation trades.
- Participate in project-specific instruction, mentorship, hazard assessments, and safety training.
- Follow established safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment and tools appropriately.
- Complete biweekly timesheets, beginning-of-term feedback forms, end-of-term evaluations, and, for longer terms, a midterm evaluation.
- Represent ACE and its partner organization professionally and positively.
Benefits
- Living allowance of $800 per week, dispersed biweekly, to offset food and incidental expenses.
- Housing stipend of $1,000 to help offset housing expenses.
- Up to $1,500 for eligible training and travel expenses.
- Up to $1,000 for eligible professional development expenses.
- Position-specific training, orientation, and mentorship.
- Potential eligibility for federal hiring authority through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority upon meeting program requirements.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
