Traditional Trades Advancement Program Intern – Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie National Historical Parks and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site

Build your hands-on preservation trades skills at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Parks and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site 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. Participants will learn and practice repairing interior and exterior structures made up of a variety of materials including wood, plaster, concrete, and brick. The TTAP Participant will learn how to read historic drawings, plans, and follow work guidelines. This position is a great way to gain practical, hands-on experience and the foundation for a career in historic preservation. 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. This position is scheduled for April 3 – September 29 (start date is flexible), with weekends and federal holidays off.

Positions available: 1
Daily Schedule: Monday through Friday 7-3:30
Location Details: Report to Coast Guard District 1815 Ion Ave, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482

Skills Training & Support Provided:

• Interior and exterior repairs on historic structures
• Woodworking tasks to repair and replace rotten wood
• Repair historic window sash
• Metal roof repair
• Painting techniques for several different historic features and materials
• Masonry including mixing mortar and repointing
• Landscaping
• General preservation maintenance

Project type breakdown:

Position Benefits:

• $1440 bi-weekly living allowance
• $650 Travel/commuting Allowance to/from project site
• Up to $1000 for independent professional development
• Travel and associated expenses for Historic Preservation Fundamentals course
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority (at position completion)
• Training and networking opportunities with NPS and preservation professionals

Minimum 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)
• Ability to do Moderate to strenuous physical labor for 8 hours per day inside or outside in different weather conditions, including high heat and humidity during Charleston summers
• Strong interest in using hand and power tools to complete projects
• Ability to commute to project site daily
• Follow all safety rules and regulations and participate in ongoing safety culture of the site.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass the DOI Background Check
• Fort Sumter is only accessible by boat, so intern must be comfortable as a passenger on a park owned watercraft.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Willingness to learn new skills
• Comfortable working at heights on scaffolding or ladders
• Local to Charleston area

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!

The Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) provides hands-on, historic preservation trade skills training through an intensive learning-while-working experience at a National Park Service (NPS) site. TTAP aims to build the next generation of historic trades workers in order to continue the important work of preserving the historic resources and crucial infrastructure of national park sites. Carrying on the traditional trades in their modern form require much of the same materials, tools, ingenuity, skills, knowledge, and hard work that have been required for generations and cannot be replaced. By working alongside NPS staff on preservation projects, the intern will directly improve the physical conditions of a nationally significant park site that is accessed and enjoyed by thousands of visitors a year and contribute to the NPS mission. TTAP participants will benefit by gaining training in preservation trade 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 for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Expected Dates: April 3, 2023 – September 29, 2023