The National Park Service
The Campaign is the philanthropic partner of the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC). This page has resources for people aspiring to join the NPS and for preservationists already working with the NPS.
What does the Historic Preservation Training Center do?
The Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) is a division of the National Park Service. It is unique because it does not steward a specific historic site; rather, it helps preserve the historic resources of all the National Park Service sites.
Want to join the NPS?
Pursue your Preservation Career in the National Park Service.
There are multiple internship programs to jump-start your preservation career with NPS. Explore these options and see if you’re eligible to apply:
Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP)
The NPS created TTAP in 2018 to bolster and expand its capacity to undertake preservation projects at parks across the country. TTAP provides hands-on, historic preservation trade skills training to young people during an intensive twenty-week experience. Trainees receive project-based opportunities to learn carpentry, woodcrafting, finishing, masonry, metalworking, and window restoration while working, learning, and earning alongside professional NPS staff.
- Applicants must be 18 – 30 years of age, or 18 – 35 years of age for US veterans.
- No prior experience required.
- Competitive hourly wage.
- Participants work 40 hours per week for 20 – 26 weeks.
- Positions available across the country at different National Parks.
- Positions open seasonally.
Historic Stewards
The Historic Stewards program is apprentice-style training with HPTC section teams. Historic Stewards apply for positions within one of HPTC’s three trades sections–woodcrafting, carpentry, or masonry. Members work along HPTC staff and participate in a variety of preservation projects.
- Applicants must be 18 – 30 years of age, or 18 – 35 years of age for US veterans.
- Prior experience in historic preservation and/or trades preferred. Priority given to students in historic trades education programs.
- Competitive hourly wage.
- Participants work 40 hours per week, 12 – 26 weeks.
- Participants work with regional section teams across the country and travel as needed for project work.
- Positions accepted on a rolling basis.
Build Up Technical Internships
Build Up Technical Internships allow students and recent graduates to gain valuable experience working on the administrative and planning side of preservation projects with the Parks Planning, Facilities, and Lands Directorate of the NPS.
- Applicants must be current students or recent graduates (<2 years) in fields including but not limited to architecture, engineering, community planning, project management, and GIS.
- Education in fields related to the specific internship position opening required.
- Competitive hourly wage
- 40 hours per week, internship terms range from 11 weeks – 1 year
- Location is based on individual internships, with potential remote work options.
- Applications open and are accepted on a rolling basis.
SkillBridge
The Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program is an opportunity for military service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the last 180 days of service. HPTC participates in the SkillBridge program. Transitioning service members can work alongside masonry, wood-crafting, or carpentry preservation crews to practice traditional trade skills and contribute to assigned historic preservation projects. Training curriculum relies heavily on hands-on, on-the-job training with other formal learning opportunities incorporated as available.
- Applicants must be military service members approaching the end of their service term. Click HERE to determine your eligibility.
- Target occupations are BU: Builder and SW: Steelworker, as well as other related positions to carpentry, masonry, and general construction.
- Skillbridge participants continue to receive their military compensation and benefits during the training program.
- Participants work 40 hours per week for 180 days.
- Participants work with regional HPTC section teams with project-based travel..
- Positions accepted on a rolling basis.
Other NPS Internships
The NPS hosts multiple internship programs to help young people start their careers in the Parks. These internships include but are not limited to preservation pathways. See what the NPS has to offer here.
Already a member of the National Park Service?
Develop your NPS Preservation Career.
There are a variety of internal resources provided by the NPS to help you further your career:
Brick, Earth, Stone, and Timber (BEST) Workshops
The BEST Preservation Workshop Series trains NPS employees at all levels in the preservation of traditionally built historic resources using problem-based and hands-on learning. BEST Workshop offerings, locations, and times change each year and you must register in advance.
Preservation and Skills Training (PAST) Program
Open to permanent, full-time, field-based maintenance employees in the National Park Service, the PAST Program trains these employees in the proper preservation, care, and maintenance of our historic assets within the National Park System through formal learning opportunities, mentorship, and hands-on workshops.
Harrison Goodall Preservation Fellowship
Open to federal and non-federal employees, the Harrison Goodall Preservation Fellowship gives graduate students and enterprising professionals the opportunity to undertake a focused pursuit that makes a meaningful contribution to the field of historic preservation and supports the stewardship of historic resources.
Looking for resources for your park?
Find preservation training for your team.
The Historic Preservation Training Center offers resources to help expand and support preservation training at parks across the country. See how the HPTC can help your park:
Host a Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) member
TTAP is a training program facilitated by the HPTC. New and emerging preservationists are recruited to train with preservationists at nation-wide National Park Service sites in apprenticeship-style learning environments on preservation projects. This ensures that TTAP members gain valuable professional experience. The program can also provide hiring authorities for successful TTAP graduates.
Interested in hosting? Have your park’s facility manager contact ttap@nps.gov and inquire about the process. Although park selection typically begins at the start of the Fiscal Year, you can send inquiries year-round.
Host a Brick, Earth, Stone, and Timber (BEST) Workshop
BEST Preservation Workshops can be hosted at park sites across the country. These workshops utilize trades projects to explore and develop critical thinking processes that are vital to preservation project management. BEST Workshops are open to NPS staff as well as the general public. The HPTC provides the curriculum and instructors.
Contact hptc_learning@nps.gov to see how you can host a BEST Workshop at your park.
Customized Training
All projects are different and all park staff have different skill sets. The Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) can work with your park to provide project-based training to your staff.
Contact hptc_learning@nps.gov to discuss your project and needs, and see how HPTC can help.
There are many ways for individuals, businesses, organizations, and philanthropic groups to support The Campaign. Find out how.