Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) Member – Steamtown National Historic Site

Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Steamtown National Historic Site

Build your hands-on preservation trades skills at Steamtown 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. This position is a great way to gain practical, hands-on experience and the foundation for a career in historic preservation. The position at the Steamtown offers specific opportunities to work on a variety of projects involving historic railroad equipment such as steam locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses, tank cars, hopper cars, EMD and Alco diesel locomotives. These projects range from complete overhaul and historic preservation to daily inspection and maintenance. Trades such as metal fabrication, welding, and machining will be performed in our historic Delaware Lackawanna and West shops that are unique to the National Park Service. 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 October 2, 2023 – March 29, 2024 (start date is flexible), with weekends and federal holidays off.

Skills Training & Support Provided:

• Restoration, overhaul, and maintenance on a variety of historic railroad equipment including steam locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses, tank cars, hopper cars, EMD and Alco diesel locomotives
• Metal fabrication, welding, and machining
• Abrasive prep, sandblasting and painting
• General preservation maintenance

Position Benefits: 

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

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 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
• Due to contact with federally managed railroads and railroad equipment, this position is subject to a pre-employment drug/alcohol test screening and random testing thereafter

Preferred Qualifications:

• Willingness to learn new skills
• Strong interest in railroad and locomotive history
• Comfortable working at heights on scaffolding or ladders
• Local to Scranton, PA

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) 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.

Position ID: PO-00735693

Expected Dates: October 2, 2023 – March 29, 2024

Main Area of Focus: Cultural/Historical Resource Mgmt

Further Details

AmeriCorps Eligible: Not Reviewed

Apply here: Link to application on SCA’s website.