Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) Member – Landscape Stewardship Corps – Rock Creek Park

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service’s Rock Creek Park, is seeking two members to contribute to landscape stewardship projects alongside Rock Creek Park 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 background or previous experience in horticulture is necessary.

For more information about the National Park Service’s Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) – Landscape Stewardship Corps please visit: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1098/landscape-stewardship-corps.htm

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: March 4, 2024

Estimated End Date: August 30, 2024

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation’s capital. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and thousands of years of human history. The ACE members will assist Rock Creek Park staff in the development and maintenance of park grounds and gardens. Duties include general gardening tasks, including watering, mowing, mulching, and weeding. On occasion assist Tree Crew/ Arborist in maintaining park trees in an urban park. Horticulture may involve heavy lifting, repetitive tasks, and exposure to heat and humidity.

ACE members will assist in the following areas:

• Old Stone House Garden is an innovative landscape that includes woody plants, perennials, ornamental grasses, and bulbs designed for year-round interest.
• Meridian Hill Park cultural landscape, planned an Italian style garden. The structures made revolutionary use of concrete aggregate as a building material. The Lower Plaza includes the following features: The thirteen basin cascading fountain is one of the longest in North America, below the cascading fountain is a reflecting pool, surrounded by extensive grounds gardens and landscaping.
• Marconi Memorial cultural landscape, small park on 16th street corridor listed on National Register.
• Asbury Memorial cultural landscape, small park on 16th street corridor.
• Gibbons cultural landscape, small park on 16th street corridor.
• Bryce Park, cultural landscape urban triangle park located in the Cathedral Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC.
• Montrose Park cultural landscape, sixteen-acre park located on the heights overlooking Georgetown.
• Kahlil Gibran Memorial Garden is a public garden located at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C., “within a wooded ravine known as Woodland-Normanstone Park”.
• General Grounds involves working in various locations within Rock Creek Park (may include overall grounds or within individual parks.

For more information about Rock Creek Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm.

Position Overview: The ACE members will perform a wide variety and range of gardening work within the framework of good gardening practices including preparing soil beds, turf, flower gardens, hedges, walkways, garden fixtures and other planting areas considering the individual needs and characteristics of plants, shrubs, ornamental trees. ACE members will also test soils to determine deficiencies and correct deficiencies through application of appropriate soil amendments; Plant and/or transplant a wide variety of flowers, shrubs, plants, and trees; provide water applications appropriately to maintain plant materials; trim shrubs, ornamental trees, and hedges; Mow and edge lawns to maintain appearance, including determination of proper mowing height; Remove rocks, leaves, limbs, and trash from grounds and garden areas; Sweep and rake walks and parking areas; and determine causes of erosion and corrective action required to alleviate unsatisfactory conditions.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the workforce shortage which in turn resulted in a lower standard of care for the park’s gardens and landscapes. During this period the park was also experiencing record setting use of these park sites resulting in excess wear and damage to park resources. With this ongoing community need for the park to provide inviting healthy outdoor spaces, Rock Creek Park is committed to restoring the gardens and landscapes. To that end the park is looking to bring on interns to assist the park’s staff in the effort to restore the gardens.

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: Mon-Fri, 6:30am – 3:00pm Eastern Time Zone.

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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the NPS.

Professional Development Stipend: The ACE Member will receive $1,000 of professional development funds that can be used for approved purposes.

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 will include OSHA-10 Certification and a Landscape Stewardship Fundamentals course.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.
• 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 ID’s upon hiring)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history
• 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold a minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Willingness to learn and work as part of a team.
• Interest in horticulture, gardening, and/or tree care.

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. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• 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 100 lbs., ability to move up to 100 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

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.

Tools and Equipment Use/Safety: Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the [agency/partner]. 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 the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Member Coordinator, HPTC Programs, Kyle Ellison, at kellison@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.