Traditional Trades Program – Wind Cave National Park – AmeriCorps

Description

Position Title: NPS Historic Preservation Training Center – Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Wind Cave National Park – Ameri Corps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements – East

Site

Location:

NPS – Wind Cave National Park

26611 US Highway 385, Hot Springs, SD 57747

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 05/11/2026
• End Date: 08/01/2026
• Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 900 Hours (26 Weeks)

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements is an Ameri Corps affiliated program that provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and protect our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting the health of natural areas.

Stewards, in partnership with the National Park Service and Historic Preservation Training Center are seeking individuals to participate in the Traditional Trades Apprenticeship Program. Members will receive introductory training in a variety of traditional trades and will develop an understanding of historic resource stewardship while helping to preserve our nation’s historic resources. This program provides participants with marketable skills and excellent exposure to the historic preservation career field within the NPS as well as the private sector.

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK has multiple historic structures from the 1930’s CCC era to the 1960’s Mission 66 housing. The service members will support in the preservation of historic structures by using skilled trades such as millwork, exterior finishes, structural repair, and modernization of elements such as electrical or plumbing.

* This position is classified as a DHA (Direct Hiring Authority) Internship. Applicants must be a current student enrolled in an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited institute of higher education. Proof of enrollment will be required before an official offer is made. Applicants must successfully complete the internship and graduate from their degree program to receive DHA eligibility status.

Description of Duties:

• Window restoration including wood repair, glass repair, and repainting.
• Masonry repointing and mortar analysis.
• Carpentry repairs including framing and log work.
• Roofing repairs using wood shingles and historic materials.
• Historic structure condition assessments.
• Learning traditional trade skills.
• Supporting and learning from journey-level employees.
• Exposure to Masonry, Carpentry, stonework, electrical work, plumbing and other skills.
• Historic Window Restoration.
• Historic and cultural landscape maintenance and management.
• Historic structure preservation and restoration.
• Use of hand and power tools

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age, Veterans up to 35 years of age.
• Ability to commit to a 26-week experience of combined training and hands-on work
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an Ameri Corps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Willingness to learn and operate as a good team player.
• Passion for historical preservation work.
• Basic experience or training in carpentry and/or masonry.
• Prior field experience in historic preservation preferred but not required.

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that people with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use of program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be…