Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Landscape Stewardship Corps – Pu’ukohola Heiau 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 and historic preservation projects alongside Pu’ukoholā Heiau 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.

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: May / June 2025

Estimated End Date: 26 weeks after the start date

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (PUHE), located in Kawaihae, Hawaii, is home to one of the last major temples built in the Hawaiian Islands, Puʻukohola Heiau (Hawaiian temple). This sacred temple, constructed in 1790-91 by Kamehameha the Great, a king renowned for uniting and ruling the Hawaiian Islands, rises from the island’s rocky hillsides of pili grassland. PUHE is also home to Mailekini Heiau, a former temple converted into a fort; the homestead of John Young, a British sailor who aided Kamehameha as an advisor and translator and later became the governor of Hawaii; and Pelekane, the Royal Courtyard, the site of events that reshaped the Hawaiian kingdom. While the county of Hawaii provides bus service, a personal vehicle is recommended for regular commute.

For more information about Pu’ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: Under guidance from NPS Resource Management & Cultural Resource staff at Pu’ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, ACE members will learn traditional skill sets in historic preservation and cultural landscape restoration with a focus on ‘Uhau Humu Pōhaku (traditional dry-set masonry) and the restoration of native coastal lowland species and native pili grasslands within the Cultural Landscape. ACE members will also have the opportunity to work with multiple park partners across the Hawaiian community with different specialties and learn about indigenous knowledge systems within the context of ancient Hawaiian ritual and ceremonial grounds at PUHE. Ecosystem and Cultural Landscape restoration are the focuses of preservation initiatives at PUHE. Internship work will help to inform the parks outreach, education and interpretive aspects related to focused project work.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals with an emphasis on Heritage & Cultural Resources. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups with parallel visions and missions.

Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 6:30AM-4:00PM

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/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: A $250/week housing allowance will be provided for the duration of the term.

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 current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of IDs upon hiring)
• 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 learn and work independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Deep interest in historic preservation, traditional trades, preservation 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 [30] 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, specifically dry and arid conditions of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel, primarily other project sites on Hawaiʻi Island at other NPS park locations.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, 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. Hazard specifics will be provided on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Partner site, should other project or internship work be conducted at various locations.

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 Historic Preservation Project Manager Kyle Ellison.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO:  Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.