Energy Conservation Projects (Energy Design) Member – Grand Canyon National Park – Build Up Technical Internship Program

Summary

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

About Build Up Technical Internship Program: This position is part of the Build Up Technical Internship Program facilitated by the Historic Preservation Training Center. The Build Up Technical Internship Program is 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.

For more information about the Build Up Technical Internship Program, please visit the NPS website.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May 12, 2025

Estimated End Date: August 29, 2025

*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: 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.

For more information about Grand Canyon National Park, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: To protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources within Grand Canyon National Park, its Facility Management Division is planning intentional rehabilitation of structures to preserve its historical structures and reduce operating costs through energy conservation. The intern position would 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 which may include a blower door test to detect air leaks in the building, the intern would identify, price, and design potential solutions such as insulating materials, roofing, windows, doors, and HVAC systems. Most of these are historic structures so present the unique opportunity to work with historic architects, cultural resource managers, engineers, and users for identifying viable solutions to the energy challenges.

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: Monday through Friday, 7am to 4pm. Occasional weekend work or travel may be necessary to inspect buildings without disrupting operations.

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. Week 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 and after action report and update deliverables as needed. If intern is not available for 16 weeks, the work can be scaled to their time available If two interns are selected, they will have different building(s) to assigned to them for design to maintain autonomy and independence in their work products.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $1,160/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.

Direct Hire Authority: This position is classified as a DHA (Direct Hire Authority) Internship. DHA positions target exceptional, current upper-level undergraduate or graduate students who are interested in pursuing careers with the NPS. DHA positions will be rigorous internships that develop the participant’s technical and creative thinking abilities, leadership skills, and problem-solving capabilities.

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: Park housing is available for a cost ($500/month on average). Additional information will be provided in an interview.

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 provided be in various aspects such as project management, historic preservation, design, cost estimating, and federal resumes.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.
• 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).
• 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 in Engineering, Architecture, Sustainability, Energy Economics, or a Juris Doctor program.
• Knowledge of energy conservation, policy, building system design, and sustainability.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team and be independently motivated.
• Deep interest in the National Park Service, conservation, and energy conservation and policy.

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. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• 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 20 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. 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 requires travel to Grand Canyon’s North Rim and/or Inner Canyon (Phantom Ranch).

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat, rocky terrain, high elevations, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. 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 ACE EPIC NPS Historic Preservation Project Manager, Kyle Ellison.

ACE values an inclusive workforce – if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!