Build Up Realty Intern – Land Resources Division Intern

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with National Park Service, is seeking one intern to contribute to projects alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: 06/04/2026

Estimated End Date: 05/29/2027

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: The Land Resources Division guides and supports the land acquisition program for the National Park Service (NPS). Since its inception in 1916, the NPS has served as the ultimate caretaker of America’s most valuable natural and cultural resources, while providing for public use and enjoyment of those resources. Today, the National Park System totals more than 84 million acres, yet more than 2.6 million acres of privately owned land remain within NPS boundaries. Acquisition of all privately owned land within a given park boundary is not always necessary and, in some cases, not feasible. However, many of these lands are important for visitor use and preservation of resources and have therefore been identified to be protected in fee or by scenic/conservation easement interest.

For more information about the NPS Land Resources Division, please visit the NPS website.

This position is anticipated to be completed remotely; however, office space is available in Lakewood and Ft. Collins, CO, should the selected candidate prefer to work on-site.

Position Overview The selected candidate will complete a 12-month internship as part of the National Park Service Land Resources Division’s national land acquisition and land management support team. The internship encompasses a broad range of responsibilities supporting federal land acquisition, land management, and right-of-way permitting. Duties include preparing, organizing, and maintaining acquisition files and related database records; conducting research on legal documents such as deeds, easements, rights-of-way, and legislation; reviewing title commitments and other title evidence; preparing reports; reviewing program policies and procedures, and participating in project briefings with both internal and external stakeholders. Together, these activities support the NPS mission to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources for current and future generations through federal land acquisition.

The intern will work with the project supervisor to identify a long-term “core” project with an extended timeline, while also assisting with shorter-term tasks and projects as a member of the support team.

Through this internship, the candidate will gain experience and develop skills in the following areas:

• Researching and analyzing land records to assess ownership interests, identify title risks, and determine title sufficiency for acquisition.
• Develop an understanding of the federal land acquisition process and associated due diligence requirements.
• Learning how Congressional authorities and legislation apply to land acquisition and land management.
• Collaborating effectively as part of a dynamic support team
• Communicating with various stakeholders including landowners, federal solicitors, park and regional staff, and other team members.

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.

Schedule: This is a 40-hour per week position with a flexible schedule. The selected candidate is expected to be available during core hours of 10am-2pm, Tuesday-Thursday (local time zone), with remaining hours scheduled in coordination with site mentor.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $1,000/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 and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members 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 the NPS.

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 may include federal resume building and job search navigation.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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 valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE’s insurance and liability requirements.

• 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 visit our website

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a Master’s degree or Juris Doctor and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as real estate and planning.
• Knowledge of real estate transactions, boundaries, and GIS.
• Ability and willingness to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Deep interest in public lands and the National Park Service.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10 lbs., ability to move up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE’s online application page for this position on our website.Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact contact ACE EPIC NPS Historic Preservation Project Manager, Kyle Ellison

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO:  Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.