Position Title: NPS Historic Preservation Training Center – Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Wind Cave National Park – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements - East

Site Location: NPS - Wind Cave National Park

26611 US Highway 385, Hot Springs, SD 57747

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 05/11/2026
• End Date: 08/01/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours (26 Weeks)

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements is an AmeriCorps affiliated program that provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and protect our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting the health of natural areas.

Stewards, in partnership with the National Park Service and Historic Preservation Training Center are seeking individuals to participate in the Traditional Trades Apprenticeship Program. Members will receive introductory training in a variety of traditional trades and will develop an understanding of historic resource stewardship while helping to preserve our nation’s historic resources. This program provides participants with marketable skills and excellent exposure to the historic preservation career field within the NPS as well as the private sector.

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK has multiple historic structures from the 1930's CCC era to the 1960's Mission 66 housing. The service members will support in the preservation of historic structures by using skilled trades such as millwork, exterior finishes, structural repair, and modernization of elements such as electrical or plumbing.

*This position is classified as a DHA (Direct Hiring Authority) Internship. Applicants must be a current student enrolled in an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited institute of higher education. Proof of enrollment will be required before an official offer is made. Applicants must successfully complete the internship and graduate from their degree program to receive DHA eligibility status.

Description of Duties:

• Window restoration including wood repair, glass repair, and repainting.
• Masonry repointing and mortar analysis.
• Carpentry repairs including framing and log work.
• Roofing repairs using wood shingles and historic materials.
• Historic structure condition assessments.
• Learning traditional trade skills.
• Supporting and learning from journey-level employees.
• Exposure to Masonry, Carpentry, stonework, electrical work, plumbing and other skills.
• Historic Window Restoration.
• Historic and cultural landscape maintenance and management.
• Historic structure preservation and restoration.
• Use of hand and power tools

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age, Veterans up to 35 years of age.
• Ability to commit to a 26-week experience of combined training and hands-on work
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Willingness to learn and operate as a good team player.
• Passion for historical preservation work.
• Basic experience or training in carpentry and/or masonry.
• Prior field experience in historic preservation preferred but not required.

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that people with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use of program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruitment process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday at a full-time capacity of 40 hours a week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
• Fully On-Site

Orientation and Training:

• Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Hands on experience in historic preservation trades from skilled NPS staff.
• Tool safety and use.
• reading and application of construction drawings and historic treatment reports.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50
• Living Allowance of $520 a week + Additional Benefit of $200 a week (equivalent to $18/hr)
• $1000 Professional Development Stipend
• Direct Hiring Authority
• Park Housing Available
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

STE Program Staff:

Kahla Stewart

Program Coordinator

Stewards Individual Placements

(423) 402-6004

kstewart@conservationlegacy.org

Service Site Staff:

Eldon "Phil" Keppler

Preservationist

Wind Cave National Park

eldon_keppler@nps.gov

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.