NPS HPTC Traditional Trades Advancement Program Intern – Cape Lookout National Seashore

Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Cape Lookout National Seashore

Duty Location: Harker’s Island, NC

Build your hands-on preservation trades skills at Cape Lookout National Seashore through projects addressing a range of historic preservation needs. Over the course of a 26-week immersive experience, TTAP participants train and work alongside experienced NPS employees to preserve cultural resources and crucial infrastructure. This position is a great way to gain practical, hands-on experience and the foundation for a career in historic preservation. The projects at Cape Lookout will focus on the rehabilitation and repair of historic structures including carpentry and masonry work. The ideal candidate is excited about hands-on trades work and should be able to demonstrate or discuss their interest in the historic preservation field. TTAP Placements must be able to commit to a 26-week term.

Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Skills Training & Support Provided:

• Brick masonry
• Woodworking and carpentry
• Finishing/painting
• Demolition
• General preservation maintenance

Position Benefits: 

• $1,440 bi-weekly living allowance (pre-tax)
• $650 Travel/commuting Allowance to/from project site (one time, taxed)
• $1000 Funding for independent professional development
• Travel and associated expenses for in-person Historic Preservation Fundamentals course
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority (at position completion)
• OSHA 10 Certification
• Training and networking opportunities with NPS and preservation professionals
• Housing on site is available

Essential Qualifications:

• Interest in historic preservation trades and continuing into the trades field
• Age restrictions: 18 – 30 (or 35 for Veterans)
• Must be able to commit to the project for 26 weeks (start date flexible)
• Physical effort is heavy to moderate for this position and requires occasional lifting or handling of objects or materials up to 50lbs, unassisted, following proper lifting procedures to avoid injury. Frequently required to stand while working, climb ladders or scaffolding, and bend, stoop, climb, and work in awkward positions.
• Interest in using hand and power tools in an outdoor setting to complete projects
• Ability to commute to meet up location daily (less than 10 miles from park housing)
• Willing to travel by boat to project site regularly
• Follow all safety rules and regulations and participate in ongoing safety culture of the site.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to pass DOI driver standards

Preferred Qualifications:

• Local and/or North Carolina residents

All applicants must meet Minimum Qualifications to be considered for the position. Those who may not meet all the Preferred Qualifications are encouraged to apply! Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the National Park Service partner will conduct interviews.

No experience in preservation trades required!

*For SCA’s COVID-19 guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid  

The Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) is an internship program of the National Park Service for aspiring preservation tradespeople. TTAP participants train and work alongside experienced NPS employees at a specific park site to preserve historic infrastructure and cultural resources. These valuable resources need constant thoughtful and careful preservation, repair, and maintenance. By assisting with preservation projects, participants directly improve the physical conditions of nationally significant park spaces that are accessed and enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year. Participants gain practical, hands-on experience and the foundation for a career in historic preservation. They learn the fundamentals of historic preservation and receive on-the-job training in one or more traditional trades such as masonry, carpentry, woodcrafting, landscape preservation, and more. The program is committed to providing all aspiring preservationists—especially those underrepresented in the trades—with a unique opportunity to work on important real-world projects while building professional experience in America’s national parks.