Traditional Trades Advancement Program at Fort Sumter National Monument

Student Conservation Association • Sullivan's Island, SC

3h • Onsite

About The Position

Build your hands-on preservation trades skills at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park through projects addressing a range of historic preservation needs. Over the course of a 26-week immersive experience, TTAP participants train and work alongside experienced NPS employees to preserve cultural resources and crucial infrastructure. TTAP interns will obtain a breadth of preservation trades experience which they can build on if they decide to continue with historic preservation.

The Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) is an internship program of the National Park Service for aspiring preservation tradespeople. TTAP participants train and work alongside experienced NPS employees at a specific park site to preserve historic infrastructure and cultural resources. These valuable resources need constant thoughtful and careful preservation, repair, and maintenance. By assisting with preservation projects, participants directly improve the physical conditions of nationally significant park spaces that are accessed and enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year. Participants gain practical, hands-on experience and the foundation for a career in historic preservation. They learn the fundamentals of historic preservation and receive on-the-job training in one or more traditional trades such as masonry, carpentry, woodcrafting, landscape preservation, and more. The program is committed to providing all aspiring preservationists—especially those underrepresented in the trades—with a unique opportunity to work on important real-world projects while building professional experience in America’s national parks.

Requirements

• Interest in historic preservation trades and continuing into the trades field
• Age restrictions: 18 - 30 (or 35 for Veterans)
• Must be able to commit to the project for 26 weeks
• Physical effort is heavy to moderate for this position and requires occasional lifting or handling of objects or materials up to 50lbs, unassisted, following proper lifting procedures to avoid injury. Frequently required to stand while working, climb ladders or scaffolding, and bend, stoop, climb, and work in awkward positions.
• Interest in using hand and power tools in an outdoor setting to complete projects
• Ability to commute to meet up location daily
• Follow all safety rules and regulations and participate in ongoing safety culture of the site.
• All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass DOI driver standards and background check in order to drive a government vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Brick repointing at Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter
• Concrete spalling repair and weatherproofing of historic Battery Jasper and Fort Moultrie
• Applying limewashes to the historic batteries at Fort Moultrie
• Historic cannon and monument conservation throughout the park
• Historic metal preservation at Fort Moultrie and Battery Jasper
• Wooden doors preservation in Fort Moultrie
• Landscape Maintenance at Fort Sumter
• Hurricane season preparations and maintenance
• Providing support for Freedom250 park events

Benefits

• $1,000 Funding for independent professional development
• Travel and associated expenses for in-person Historic Preservation Fundamentals course
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority (at position completion)
• OSHA 10 Certification
• Training and networking opportunities with NPS and preservation professionals

What This Job Offers

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