Traditional Trades Program - Landscape Stewardship Corps – Rock Creek Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking two members to contribute to landscape stewardship and historic preservation projects alongside Rock Creek Park staff.

The Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Landscape Stewardship Corps is intended for enthusiastic individuals who possess an interest in gaining experience in the field of landscape preservation or horticulture.
No education or experience in the field is necessary.

For more information about the National Park Service's Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) - Landscape Stewardship Corps, please visit our website.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: April 27, 2026

Estimated End Date: October 23, 2026

* a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Located north of the Potomac River and minutes away from downtown, Rock Creek Park (ROCR) encompasses 1,754 acres of public green space in Washington, DC. ROCR is one of the first federally managed parks in the United States and acts as an administrative unit of the National Park System, supporting the stewardship of public lands throughout the Northern portion of D.C. area.

ROCR offers visitors an escape from the bustle of the city and refuge in recreation, fresh air, and trees along with the opportunity to learn about thousands of years of human history at several historic sites throughout the park. The park is easily accessible by public transit, bike, and on-foot.

For more information about Rock Creek Park, please visit the NPS website.

Under guidance from Rock Creek Park staff, ACE members will support the development and maintenance of park grounds and gardens while learning about maintaining ecologically balanced habitats and practicing skills in horticulture, arboriculture, and landscape preservation. Project work will include general gardening tasks like watering, weeding, mulching, mowing, pruning, fertilizing, planting flowerbeds, plant propagation, and other tasks as needed. On occasion, ACE members will assist Tree Crew/ Arborists in maintaining trees in an urban park.

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.

Monday through Friday, 6:30AM-3:00PM

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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement.

PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

Professional Development Stipend: $1,000 of professional development funds will be available to participants for pre-approved uses.

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 includes OSHA-10 and Introduction to Preservation Horticulture.

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.
• Members must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Members must be ages 18-30 (up to 35 if a U.S. veteran).
• 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 current and valid form of  (will be required to provide copies of 's upon hiring)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks.
• 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…