Traditional Trades Advancement Program - Landscape Stewardship Corps - Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site & Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail

EPIC • Kawaihae, HI

5d

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership wit h the National Park Service, is seeking two members to contribute to landscape stewardship and historic preservation projects alongside Pu'ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site staff. The Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Landscape Stewardship Corps is intended for enthusiastic individuals who possess an interest in gaining experience in the field of landscape preservation or horticulture. For more information about the National Park Service's Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) - Landscape Stewardship Corps, please visit our website. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date: April 20, 2026 Estimated End Date: October 16, 2026 a 26-week minimum commitment is required Location Details/Description: Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (PUHE), located in Kawaihae, Hawaii, is home to one of the last major temples built in the Hawaiian Islands, Puʻukohola Heiau (Hawaiian temple). This sacred temple, constructed in 1790-91 by Kamehameha the Great, a king renowned for uniting and ruling the Hawaiian Islands, rises from the island's rocky hillsides of pili grassland. PUHE is also home to Mailekini Heiau, a former temple converted into a fort; the homestead of John Young, a British sailor who aided Kamehameha as an advisor and translator and later became the governor of Hawaii; and Pelekane, the Royal Courtyard, t he site of events that reshaped the Hawaiian kingdom. While the county of Hawaii provides bus service, a personal vehicle is recommended for regular commute. For more information about Pu'ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, please visit the NPS website. Position Overview: Under guidance from NPS Resource Management, Cultural Resources & Trail Crew staff at Pu'ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site and Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail , ACE members will learn traditional skillsets in historic preservation and cultural landscape restoration with a focus on 'Uhau Humu Pōhaku (traditional dry-set masonry) and the restoration of native coastal lowland species and native pili grasslands within the Cultural Landscape. ACE members will also have the opportunity to work with multiple park partners across the Hawaiian community with different specialties and learn about indigenous knowledge systems within the context of ancient Hawaiian ritual and ceremonial grounds at PUHE. Ecosystem and Cultural Landscape restoration are the focuses of preservation initiatives at PUHE. Internship work will help to inform the parks outreach, education and interpretive aspects related to focused project work. This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals with an emphasis on Heritage & Cultural Resources. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups with parallel visions and missions. Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 6:30AM-4:00PM

Requirements

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.
• Members must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Members must be ages 18-30 (up to 35 if a U.S. veteran).
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of IDs upon hiring)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Nice To Haves

• Ability and willingness to learn and work independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Deep interest in historic preservation, traditional trades, preservation horticulture, and/or the environment.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribu te ~40 hours /week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental ex penses, dispersed bi-weekly.
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service.
• Housing: A $250/week ($1,000/month) housing allowance is available for the ACE members.
• Professional Development Stipend: $1,000 of professional development funds will be available to participants for pre-approved uses.
• Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position-specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training includes OSHA-10 and Introduction to Preservation Horticulture.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees