Historic Trades Apprenticeship: Preservation Carpentry

• Job Category Conservation , Ameri Corps
• Employee Type Ameri Corps

• Name Kevin Record
• Phone

Position Title: NPS Historic Preservation Training Center – Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Fort Scott National Historic Site – Ameri Corps

Site Location: Fort Scott, Kansas

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 06/01/2026

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.

This internship serving out of FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE will provide a high-quality learning experience by immersing the intern in a range of hands-on carpentry and woodworking tasks across Fort Scott's historic structures. From repairing staircases and porches to fabricating custom exhibit pieces, each project is designed to progressively build technical skills while reinforcing craftsmanship and attention to detail. The intern will receive one-on-one mentorship from experienced preservation staff, gaining insight into the traditional joinery, historic material conservation, and adaptive restoration techniques.

With a clear focus on developing job-ready competencies, the experience is structured to prepare the intern for careers in preservation trades, construction, or museum fabrication, while fostering problem-solving, documentation, and project planning skills essential to the field.

Description of Duties:

• Repairing and replacing components of historic doors and windows located around the park. Assist in recreating, repairing and replacing historic thresholds.
• Repairing staircases, treads, risers, and stringers along with handrails and balusters. Help with documenting repairs for preservation records and compliance.
• Rebuilding or patching wooden siding using period-appropriate materials

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 12-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 preservation skills and safety protocols.
• Operate as a good team member and follow daily direction.
• Follow HPTC's project agreement and safety plan.
• Be respectful of all members, site mentors, and staff.
• Attention to Detail.
• Organization and Time Management Skills

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 required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or…