Traditional Trades Advancement Program at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Student Conservation Association • Skagway, AK

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Build your hands-on preservation trades skills at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (KLGO) 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 Preservation and Cultural Resource NPS employees to preserve cultural resources and historic infrastructure. TTAP participants will be based at KLGO, with the option to travel to other Alaska Parks and Preserves to assist with project work if these opportunities become available. This position is a great way to gain practical, hands-on experience and the foundation for a career in historic preservation, carpentry and more.

No experience in preservation trades required! (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, wood crafting, 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 position for 23-26 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 the designated meet-up location daily. Arrangements will be made for vehicle commuting between Skagway and Dyea, and at any other locations where needed.
• Follow all safety rules and regulations and participate in ongoing safety culture of the site.
• Must have the ability to pass DOI background check to receive PIV card.
• 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

• Strong interest in hands-on preservation work and skill development.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong interest in Alaskan locations and remote work.
• Positive Attitude

Responsibilities

• Log cabin preservation including removal of a non-historic dormer, disassembly, rehabilitation through paint removal, dutchman joinery and epoxy repairs, and in-kind log replacement where needed.
• Work with draw knives, axes, chisels and slicks, power tools, jacks, and rigging.
• Assist Park maintenance staff with other preservation projects as requested, including preservation projects on the Gold Rush Era Park buildings in Skagway, work on assets along the Chilkoot National Historical Trail, project work at the maintenance facility/woodshop in Skagway. Other identified preservation work would entail Cleaning/Repair/Prep/Paint exterior finishes, trim, windows and doors. As well as preservation and reinstallation of vertical clad siding and parapet wall caps. May include milling utilizing planers, table saw, and shapers.
• Potential to work on the Chilkoot Trail on the Canyon City Trail Cabin would involve backcountry travel and sleeping in tents.
• Potential travel to and work on preservation projects outside of KLGO, pending travel/logistics planning and permissions (see below). This work would include a variety of maintenance activities at remote cabin locations, TBD. Travel to these remote sites can include transportation via small planes, boats, hiking, and helicopters.
• Working outside in all conditions: rain, wind, continual summer daylight, mosquitoes, vicinity of bears and other wildlife, construction site noise and materials, etc.
• Participate in all required safety trainings and wear all required PPE.
• Chinking and refinishing of a remote, historic log cabin exterior.
• Assisting with stabilization and replacement of deteriorated exterior components of a non-historic remote ranger cabin.
• Assist with lifting and moving a remote, historic shelter cabin away from an eroding river bank.
• Assist with a variety of preservation tasks at the Coal Creek Camp, a historic mining camp along a Yukon River tributary.
• Upkeep of field tools, including sharpening and cleaning.
• Inventorying tools and equipment.
• Light custodial and site management assistance includes campground maintenance, worksite clean-up/organization and groundskeeping.
• Assisting members of the visiting public with directions and site information while working on projects.

Benefits

• $1,000 for independent professional development
• On the job training in: historic preservation field work, log work, hand tools, power tools, wood work, carpentry, milling building stabilization, rigging and equipment operation.
• Formal training including A-100 Basic Aviation Safety Training(depending on the TTAP participant start-date).
• Opportunities for networking with NPS staff and preservation professionals
• Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees