Project Planner - Grand Canyon National Park - Build Up Technical Internship Program

EPIC • Grand Canyon Village, AZ

10h

About The Position

Project Planner - Grand Canyon National Park Summary American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking 1 Member to contribute to conservation projects alongside NPS Staff. About Build Up Technical Internship Program : This position is part of the Build Up Technical Internship Program facilitated by the Historic Preservation Training Center. The Build Up Technical Internship Program is working to expand and diversify the National Park Service workforce while addressing critical maintenance needs by providing professional experiences in technical fields to students and recent graduates. For more information about the Build Up Technical Internship Program, please visit the NPS website. Start Date: May 2026 Estimated End Date: August/September 2026 a 16-week minimum commitment is required Location Details/Description: Grand Canyon National Park in Northern Arizona encompasses more than 1.2 million acres, including 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion and geologic exposure anywhere in the world and offers incomparable vistas above and below the canyon rim. There are multiple aquifer systems throughout the park, as part of a larger regional aquifer system, that create unique springs and riparian areas in the canyon. The duty station for this position is in Grand Canyon Village, Arizona. For more information about Grand Canyon National Park, please visit the NPS website. Position Overview: To protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources within Grand Canyon National Park, its Facility Management Division is planning intentional rehabilitation of structures to preserve its historical structures and reduce operating costs through energy conservation. The intern position would develop detailed plans (construction documents and cost estimates) for energy efficiency upgrades to building envelopes and/or mechanical systems of specific buildings with the highest energy use intensity. After a thorough investigation of the buildings the intern would identify, price, and design potential solutions such as insulating materials, roofing, windows, doors, and HVAC systems. Most of these are historic structures so present the unique opportunity to work with historic architects, cultural resource managers, engineers, and users for identifying viable solutions to the energy challenges This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups. Schedule: Week 1: orientation and check in for the Park. Week 2: Define final products and develop a work breakdown structure and schedule for meeting final products. Week 3: Interview stakeholders, refine schedule and deliverables. Week 4-13 Complete work and engage stakeholders. Week 9: Mid point review with stakeholders to gain feedback and refine approach. Week 14: Finalize products and review with supervisor. Week 15: Presentations with stakeholders. Week 16: Complete an after action report and update deliverables as needed. If an intern is not available for 16 weeks, the work can be scaled to their time available. Position Benefits Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $1000/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. Direct Hiring Authority: This position is classified as a DHA (Direct Hiring Authority) Internship. DHA positions target exceptional, current upper-level undergraduate or graduate students that are interested in pursuing careers with the NPS. DHA positions will be rigorous internships that develop the participant's technical and creative thinking abilities, leadership skills, and problem-solving capabilities. DHA applicants will be involved in conservation planning projects that are presented to stakeholders and concludes in an after action report.. After successful completion of the internship and all DHA program requirements, and after graduation from the member's degree program, the member will be eligible to receive DHA non-competitive hiring eligibility. Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing around $600/month for the duration of the term. (Exact housing amount to be determined closer to start date). 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. On the job training and mentorship will be provided in various aspects such as project management, historic preservation, design, cost estimating, and federal resumes.

Requirements

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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 valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• 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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Sustainability, Energy Economics, or a Juris Doctor program.
• Knowledge of energy conservation, policy, building system design, and sustainability.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team and be independently motivated.
• Deep interest in the National Park Service, conservation, and energy conservation and policy.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed plans (construction documents and cost estimates) for energy efficiency upgrades to building envelopes and/or mechanical systems of specific buildings with the highest energy use intensity.
• Identify, price, and design potential solutions such as insulating materials, roofing, windows, doors, and HVAC systems.
• Work with historic architects, cultural resource managers, engineers, and users for identifying viable solutions to the energy challenges

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $1000/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
• Direct Hiring Authority: This position is classified as a DHA (Direct Hiring Authority) Internship. DHA positions target exceptional, current upper-level undergraduate or graduate students that are interested in pursuing careers with the NPS. DHA positions will be rigorous internships that develop the participant's technical and creative thinking abilities, leadership skills, and problem-solving capabilities. DHA applicants will be involved in conservation planning projects that are presented to stakeholders and concludes in an after action report.. After successful completion of the internship and all DHA program requirements, and after graduation from the member's degree program, the member will be eligible to receive DHA non-competitive hiring eligibility.
• Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing around $600/month for the duration of the term. (Exact housing amount to be determined closer to start date).
• 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. On the job training and mentorship will be provided in various aspects such as project management, historic preservation, design, cost estimating, and federal resumes.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern