Project Planner – Grand Canyon National Park – Build Up Technical Internship Program

Project Planner – Grand Canyon National Park

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking 1 Member to contribute to conservation projects alongside NPS Staff.

The Build Up Technical Internship Program is facilitated by the Historic Preservation Training Center, working to expand and diversify the National Park Service workforce while addressing critical maintenance needs by providing professional experiences in technical fields to students and recent graduates.

May 2026

August/September 2026

* a 16‑week minimum commitment is required *

Grand Canyon National Park in Northern Arizona encompasses more than 1.2 million acres, including 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion and geologic exposure anywhere in the world and offers incomparable vistas above and below the canyon rim.

There are multiple aquifer systems throughout the park, as part of a larger regional aquifer system, that create unique springs and riparian areas in the canyon. The duty station for this position is in Grand Canyon Village, Arizona.

To protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources within Grand Canyon National Park, its Facility Management Division is planning intentional rehabilitation of structures. The intern will develop detailed plans (construction documents and cost estimates) for energy efficiency upgrades to building envelopes and/or mechanical systems of specific buildings with the highest energy use intensity. After a thorough investigation of the buildings the intern will identify, price, and design potential solutions such as insulating materials, roofing, windows, doors, and HVAC systems.

Most of these are historic structures, providing a unique opportunity to work with historic architects, cultural resource managers, engineers, and users to identify viable solutions to the energy challenges.

Week 1: orientation and check in for the Park. Week 2:
Define final products and develop a work breakdown structure and schedule for meeting final products. Week 3:
Interview stakeholders, refine schedule and deliverables. Weeks 4‑13:
Complete work and engage stakeholders. Week 9:
Mid‑point review with stakeholders to gain feedback and refine approach. Week 14:
Finalize products and review with supervisor. Week 15:
Presentations with stakeholders. Week 16:
Complete an after‑action report and update deliverables as needed. If an intern is not available for 16 weeks, the work can be scaled to their available time.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours per week and will receive a living allowance of $1,000 per week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi‑weekly.

Direct Hiring Authority: This position is classified as a DHA (Direct Hiring Authority) Internship. DHA positions target exceptional current upper‑level undergraduate or graduate students interested in pursuing careers with the NPS. DHA applicants will be involved in conservation planning projects presented to stakeholders and conclude with an after‑action report. After successful completion of the internship and all DHA program requirements, and after graduation from the member’s degree program, the member will be eligible to receive DHA non‑competitive hiring eligibility.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing for roughly $600 per month for the duration of the term.

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. On‑the‑job training and mentorship will be provided in project management, historic preservation, design, cost estimating, and federal resumes.

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide…