Summary American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service and Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, is seeking two members to be a part of the Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP). The Members will contribute to a variety of historic preservation projects alongside Andrew Johnson National Historic Site staff.
TTAP is a program intended for enthusiastic individuals who possess an interest in gaining experience in the field of historic preservation and construction basics. No background or previous experience in construction or historic preservation is required. Training for all tools and activities will be provided by park staff professionals.
For more information about TTAP, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1098/traditional-trades-apprenticeship-program.htm
For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.
Start Date: ASAP
Estimated End Date: 26 weeks after start.
Location Details/Description: Andrew Johnson National Historic is located in Greeneville, TN, in eastern Tennessee. The site protects and preserves the 17th President's two homes, his tailor shop, and his grave site within the national cemetery at the site. Greeneville is a large town with a population of ~15,000 people. Other larger cities nearby are Morristown, TN (40 minutes drive), Knoxville, TN (1 hour drive), and Johnson City, TN (50 minutes drive).
For more information about Andrew Johnson National Historical Site, please visit https://www.nps.gov/anjo/index.htm
Position Overview: The park currently is in the process of improving the condition of the historic landscape through a series of projects supported by the National Cemetery Investment Initiative. The National Cemetery Investment Initiative is seeking to improve the condition of the 14 National Cemeteries that are managed by the NPS. The skills of horticulturists, arborists, conservators, masons, and carpenters are needed to preserve the National Cemeteries and to retain their "protected atmosphere" in commemoration of the Veterans who are buried there. The TTAP members will assist Andrew Johnson National Historic Site with maintaining historically significant trees, shrubs, turf, walls, headstones, and monuments. The members will support staff in the completion of tree pruning, tree planting, turf repair, headstone alignment, and additional associated tasks. By learning these skills, the participants will have improved opportunities in professional landscape preservation work. The members will learn traditional trade skills related to caring for historic plants and turf such as pruning, aeration, lightning protection installation, plant identification, soil amendment, and turf rehabilitation. In addition, they will learn skills in monument maintenance, headstone alignment, and wall repair.
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: Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 4:00pm with an hour break for lunch OR 7:30am to 4:00pm with a 30 minute break for lunch
Position Benefits
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $720/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, 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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the TTAP member and not provided by ACE or the NPS.
Professional Development Funds: The TTAP member will have access to $1,000 of professional development funds that can be used for approved purposes.
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 may include OSHA Certification and Historic Preservation Fundamentals courses.
Qualifications
- 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).
- 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.
- To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.
Preferred:
- Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a high school diploma and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as construction trades and the use of hand and power tools.
- Knowledge of one or more trade practices, such as masonry, carpentry, roofing, mechanics, and/or painting.
- Familiarity with construction and craftsmanship.
- Basic familiarity with common factors in the deterioration of buildings and structures.
- Ability and willingness to use and care for common hand tools and portable or stationary power tools associated with the trade (e.g., hammers, saws, drills, planers, etc.)
- Deep interest in preserving history.
- A career interest in building trade skills and/or historic preservation
Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:
- Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearinguse of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipmentstoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
- Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
- Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 50 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
- Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
- Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.
Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.
Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC HPTC Member Coordinator, Kyle Ellison at kellison@usaconservation.org
EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.