Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Landscape Stewardship Corps – Hampton National Historic Site

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking two members to contribute to landscape stewardship projects alongside Hampton National Historic Site staff.

The Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Landscape Stewardship Corps is intended for enthusiastic individuals who possess an interest in gaining experience in the field of landscape preservation or horticulture. No education or experience in the field is necessary.

For more information about the National Park Service’s Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) – Landscape Stewardship Corps, please visit our website.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: March 3, 2025

Estimated End Date: September 1, 2025

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: The landscape of Hampton National Historic Site includes a grand Georgian house surrounded by formal terraced gardens, state champion trees, rolling meadows and woodland, as well as the original farm, with historic main house, barns, dairy, farm structures and the houses for enslaved people and servants. All reflect the evolution of American social, economic, and cultural history from 1745 to 1948. Hampton National Historic Site is in a quiet residential neighborhood in Townson, Maryland, about nine miles from Baltimore.

The ACE members will also work occasionally (about 33%, but subject to change) at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland. Birthplace to our National Anthem, Fort McHenry is a peninsula of rolling turf and trees surrounding the historic star-shaped fort that once protected the Baltimore Harbor from British invasion. A personal vehicle is recommended for regular commute.

For more information about Hampton National Historic Site, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: The ACE members will experience the full range of behind-the-scenes preservation and maintenance activities required in managing a nationally significant historic landscape and will receive training and mentoring from experienced park staff. The position may also require the member to work independently on some projects and assignments. Work will include preparing and maintaining planting beds, managing turf, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, watering, controlling pests, and installing the formal parterre gardens with new plants. Additional training and skill-building opportunities will include invasive plant management, reforestation, meadow restoration, farming, and tree removal/clean-up throughout the internship.

In addition to building technical skills, the NPS mentor and park staff are dedicated to supporting ACE members’ job readiness and professional growth with guidance in resume-writing, career exploration, and navigating the federal hiring process.

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: Upon starting, the anticipated work schedule will likely be from 6:00-4:30 (Eastern Time Zone), Monday through Thursday. However, this schedule does change as the sun rises earlier and daytime heat begins to increase. Schedule change also occurs to take advantage of daylight time without park visitors. This schedule will change at some point in the spring to 6:00-2:30 or 6:30-3:00 Monday through Friday, and finally 6:00-2:30 Monday through Friday, starting around Memorial Day through the term’s completion.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $720/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 (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. However, there may be housing available from NPS. That can be discussed during interviews.

Professional Development Stipend: $1,000 of professional development funds will be available to participants for pre-approved uses.

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 includes OSHA-10 and Introduction to Preservation Horticulture.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.
• Members must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Members must be ages 18-30 (up to 35 if a U.S. veteran).
• 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 located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Ability and willingness to work independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Deep interest in historic preservation, cultural landscapes, horticulture, and/or the environment.

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 [40] 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.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat, humidity, or cold; uneven terrain; swamp or wetland conditions; biting insects; poisonous plants; 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. You will be trained on 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: Submitting a resume and cover letter is optional. Please share 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 Historic Preservation Project Manager Kyle Ellison.