Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) - Landscape Stewardship Corps Member - San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

EPIC • San Antonio, TX

8d • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking two members for cultural landscape projects at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The Traditional Trades Advancement Program is intended for people interested in gaining experience in historic preservation; no prior education or field experience is necessary. This individual placement supports professional development through hands-on conservation work, exposure to land management agencies, and opportunities to network with professionals and shadow different work groups.

Members will work alongside NPS grounds and facilities staff on cyclic maintenance of the historic San Juan Acequia, an 18th-century earthen irrigation canal and cultural landscape feature. Work includes removing silt, trash, and vegetation from the channel; repairing berms and earthworks; reconditioning culverts and sluice gates; and maintaining a nearby service access trail in wooded areas. Other duties include vegetation management, irrigation repairs, tree pruning in historic settings, and general cultural landscape care across the park’s missions.

The position is based at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, just south of downtown San Antonio. A personal vehicle is recommended for the regular commute. The service term is scheduled for January 4, 2027, through July 2, 2027, with a 26-week minimum commitment. The full-time schedule is 40 hours per week, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM, with weekends and federal holidays off. Members receive a living allowance of $720 per week and a housing allowance of $1,000 per month. Position-specific training and orientation are provided; training may include OSHA 10 and a Preservation Horticulture course. Members may be eligible for the Public Land Corps federal hiring authority after completing the service term and 640 service hours, subject to eligibility requirements.

Requirements

• Represent ACE and the partner organization professionally, positively, and enthusiastically.
• Be able to work independently and contribute positively as part of a group.
• Have a valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record; provide documentation upon request.
• Be at least 21 years old to drive under ACE insurance and liability requirements.
• Undergo and pass required criminal history checks.
• Be able to perform the essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Complete required member reporting and evaluation forms.
• Comply with the Member Service Agreement, including its prohibited activities.
• Meet Public Land Corps eligibility requirements for this position, including applicable age and citizenship requirements.
• Commit to a minimum of 26 weeks.

Nice To Haves

• Hold or be pursuing at least a high school diploma or GED.
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively.
• A strong interest in historic preservation, landscaping, and/or public lands management.

Responsibilities

• Work with NPS grounds and facilities staff on cyclic maintenance of the historic San Juan Acequia.
• Remove silt, trash, and vegetative growth from the acequia channel.
• Repair berms and earthworks.
• Recondition culverts and sluice gates.
• Clear and maintain the adjacent service access trail in wooded areas.
• Perform vegetation management, irrigation repairs, and tree pruning in historic settings.
• Provide general cultural landscape care across the park’s missions.
• Complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning- and end-of-term feedback and evaluations, and a mid-term evaluation for longer terms.
• Follow ACE and NPS safety protocols, equipment training and certification requirements, and applicable PPE requirements.

Benefits

• Living allowance of $720 per week, dispersed bi-weekly, to offset food and incidental expenses.
• Housing allowance of $1,000 per month.
• Position-specific training and orientation; possible OSHA 10 and Preservation Horticulture training.
• Potential eligibility for the Public Land Corps federal hiring authority after the service term and 640 hours of service, subject to eligibility requirements.
• Tools and any required vehicle are provided by NPS or ACE; required PPE is typically provided by NPS.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed