Historic Stewards- Masonry

National Park Service – Historic Preservation Training Center

Position Details

Stewards Individual Placements (SIP) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health.

Historic structures and features in our national parks are constantly in need of thoughtful and careful preservation, repair, and maintenance.  By assisting and working alongside HPTC on these preservation projects the Intern will directly improve the physical conditions of a nationally significant park space that is accessed and enjoyed by thousands of visitors a year.

The participant will benefit by gaining training in preservation masonry skills, learning basic safety standards in a variety of work environments, and being introduced to general preservation principals and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.  The outcome of each AmeriCorps Member’s efforts will be the improvement of a variety of historic structures and making them more enjoyable and accessible to the public.

The Stewards will be assigned to ongoing masonry projects with the Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) preservation work crews.  Stewards will be encouraged and required to be a participating member of the working team.   Work tasks will be determined on a project by project basis and assigned by the project leader.  Assignments will be determined and assigned respective of the skill level and ability of each individual steward.

The participant will be exposed to a wide variety of preservation maintenance and trade tasks through job shadowing, on the job training, work experience, and formal training sessions. All work will include use of historic tools and techniques as well as modern instruments, equipment, and materials to complete a robust and active work schedule.

The Masonry Team takes extra steps to blend repairs with existing stone, concrete, or brick. The process includes analyzing the mortar, locating appropriate sand for the mortar, and finding similar replacement units. Projects can include: brick and stone repointing, monument repairs, bronze cleaning and repair, drystone walls, coastal fortifications. Tasks for participant include but are not limited to: assisting in mixing and pouring masonry cement, sand, and water in the construction of simple forms and for laying bricks, cinder blocks, or flagstone; patching and repairing historic buildings, walls and sites built of stone, mortar, and stucco; selecting and using tools such as trowels, rakes, brushes, tuck pointers, hammers, chisels, etc.

Each project undertaken by HPTC directly benefits the Historic Built Environment of Cultural Sites of which many are on listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Each project will provide an opportunity to directly impact the availability of these resources for future generations and directly fulfills the mission of the National Park Service.

Minimum Requirements:

• Moderate to heavy physical effort is required for this position, including occasional lifting or handling of objects over 75lbs using proper techniques.
• Standing or kneeling for long periods and will be required to climb ladders, work from scaffolding or platforms, work on uneven or angled surfaces such as a roof, and/or be able to work in confined spaces.
• Ability to stoop, bend, kneel, climb and walk in all manners of environmental conditions such as rain, mud, and extreme heat or cold.
• Personal transportation will be required to report to job site.
• 18-30 years of age, maximum 35 years old for Veterans with valid DD-214
• United States citizen or legal resident

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in historic preservation and/or trades preferred
• Ability to commit to a 12-week experience of combined training and hands-on work
• Flexibility to work outside of traditional hours may be required

Benefits:

• Living Allowance: $18/hr (pre-tax)
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Eligibility – must meet 640 hours of service.
• Opportunity to travel to different National Park Service sites.
• Opportunity to learn trade secrets from master craftsmen

Please be prepared to upload a resume as part of this application.

For More Information

Gwennan Richmond

Stewards Program Coordinator

304-860-0320

grichmond@conservationlegacy.org