Are you interested in exploring a career where you can work with your hands? Or dream about a worksite with a jaw-dropping view and fascinating history? If so, the Traditional Trades Advancement Program may be right for you!
Every year, the Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) places aspiring preservationists at national parks across the country to preserve cultural resources and crucial infrastructure.
Ready to apply?
You can view active applications here: https://historictrades.org/national-park-service/
(Check back frequently to view new openings. Application deadlines vary for each position.)
How to Apply
Please be ready to share how your background and experience will help you succeed.
TTAP Applications will drop for positions on:
December 9, January 13, February 10, March 10.
Please revisit the opportunity page often on or after these dates to view more applications.
Position start dates vary from March – June.
Job Details/Requirements:
- Must be 18-30 years old; up to 35 years old for veterans.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident.
- No prior experience required.
- 40 hours per week
- 12- week and 26- week positions available
- *All 12-week positions require participants to be currently enrolled in an Associate degree program or higher.
- Positions are available across the country at different national parks.
Benefits:
- $18-20/hour
- Positions may be eligible for Public Lands Corps or Direct Hire Authority at the end of term.
TTAP has recently expanded to include 2 other types of positions which focus on landscape/horticulture and water/waste management. If you are interested in the traditional historic trades, such as carpentry and masonry, please refer to the Historical Infrastructure program.
TTAP Historical Infrastructure Program Overview:
TTAP participants train and work alongside experienced NPS employees to preserve cultural resources and crucial infrastructure. Participants learn the fundamentals of historic preservation and receive on-the-job training in a traditional trade, such as masonry, carpentry, monuments, and woodcrafting. You’ll gain practical, hands-on experience and the foundation for a career in historic preservation.
In 2021, the TTAP program created the first Indian Youth Service Corps cohort dedicated to connecting Native American youth with historic preservation projects in national parks. For individuals who are passionate about protecting historic and cultural tribal resources, visit: Indian Youth Service Corps
TTAP Historical Infrastructure’s Sites for Spring/Summer 2025:
(All positions are 26 weeks unless otherwise stated.)
- Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
- Colorado National Monument (one 12 week position; one 26 week)
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
- Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine
- Fort Pulaski National Monument
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Harry S Truman National Historic Site (12 weeks)
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (12 weeks)
- Rocky Mountain National Park (one 12 week; one 26 week)
- Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
- Tumacácori National Historical Park
- Yosemite National Park
TTAP Landscape Stewardship Corps Program Overview:
This program provides hands-on, historic landscape preservation trade skills training to young people during an intensive experience. Trainees receive project-based opportunities to learn landscape trades: horticulture, arboriculture, masonry, light carpentry, and more.
TTAP LSC Sites for Spring/Summer 2025:
(All positions are 26 weeks unless otherwise stated.)
- Andrew Johnson National Historic Site
- Fort Donelson National Battlefield
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
- Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
- Gettysburg National Military Park
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area (12 weeks)
- Hampton National Historic Site
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
- Hot Springs National Park
- John Muir National Historic Site
- Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
- Marsh – Billings – Rockefeller National Historical Park
- Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (16 weeks)
- Rock Creek Park
- Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites
- San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
- Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
- Shiloh National Military Park
- Springfield Armory National Historic Site
- Stones River National Battlefield
- Tumacácori National Historical Park
- Weir Farm National Historical Park
- The White House and President’s Park
TTAP Water/Wastewater Program Overview:
This program provides hands-on, utility systems repair and operation skills training to young people during an intensive experience. Trainees receive project-based opportunities to learn water/wastewater treatment, system operations, and system management.
TTAP W/WW Sites for Spring/Summer 2025:
(All positions are 26 weeks unless otherwise stated.)
- Blue Ridge Parkway (12 weeks)
- Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (12 weeks)
- Isle Royale National Park (12 weeks)
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Point Reyes National Seashore
- Rocky Mountain National Park (one 12 week position; one 26 week)
To learn more about HPTC internship opportunities:
Please sign up for one of the upcoming Zoom Expos here or email hptc_learning@nps.gov.