Archives Member – National Parks of Boston – Build Up Technical Internship Program

American Conservation Experience - EPIC; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Living Allowance

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority

Housing

Professional Development

Provided Training/Orientation

Job summary

American Conservation Experience seeks a member to contribute to archival projects alongside NPS staff within the Build Up Technical Internship Program. Start Oct 2026; end Feb 2027 with a 16-week minimum commitment. Live near Boston with housing reimbursement and professional development opportunities.

Responsibilities include records appraisal, organization, digitization support, and preparing materials for long-term preservation. Requires US citizenship or PR and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident per government contracts.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willing to complete bi-weekly timesheets and evaluations.
• Pass required criminal history checks.
• Professional demeanor and reliability expected.

Responsibilities

• Assist archival and records management tasks across multiple park sites.
• Support description, digitization, inventories, and finding aids.
• Prepare materials for long-term preservation and access; assist researchers.

Skills

Citizenship required

Self-directed

Team player

Driver's license

Criminal background checks

Education

Bachelor’s degree in archival work

Job description

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking one member to contribute to archival projects alongside NPS Staff.

About Build Up Technical Internship Program:

This position is part of the Build Up Technical Internship Program facilitated by the Historic Preservation Training Center. The Build Up Technical Internship Program is working to expand and diversify the National Park Service workforce while addressing critical maintenance needs by providing professional experiences in technical fields to students and recent graduates.

For more information about the Build Up Technical Internship Program, please visit the NPS website.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: October 2026

Estimated End Date: February 2027

*A 16 week minimum commitment is required *

*This position may be eligible for extension beyond 16 weeks*

Location Details/Description

The National Parks of Boston encompass a collection of historic, cultural, and coastal park sites located throughout the city of Boston and Boston Harbor. These parks preserve and interpret key locations central to the founding and development of the United States, including sites along the Freedom Trail and the Boston Harbor Islands. The park unit includes historic buildings, landscapes, waterfront resources, and urban green spaces that connect visitors to the nation’s history within a vibrant city setting. Scenic views of Boston Harbor, historic neighborhoods, and waterfront areas provide opportunities for recreation, reflection, and learning.

For more information about the National Parks of Boston, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview:

This member will assist the National Parks of Boston by supporting archival, records management, and cultural resource documentation efforts across multiple park sites. The work supports the National Park Service mission to conserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

Archival materials may include historic building documentation, architectural drawings, project files, photographs, maps, planning and construction records, and cultural landscape documentation related to significant sites such as Faneuil Hall, the Charlestown Navy Yard, historic wharves, visitor centers, waterfront infrastructure, trails, walkways, and landscape rehabilitation projects throughout the park unit.

The Build Up member will assist with all stages of archival and documentation work, beginning with records appraisal and organization and continuing through description, digitization support, and preparation of materials for long-term preservation and access. Responsibilities may include organizing physical and digital records, applying archival standards and best practices, creating or updating inventories and finding aids, and supporting reference or research requests related to park planning and preservation projects.

Schedule: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM M-F

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $750/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 and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the National Park Service. A $250/week housing reimbursement will be provided.

Professional Development: The member will have access to up to $1,000 to be used for eligible professional development expenses. Expenses must be approved by the NPS and ACE.

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 may include federal resume-building.

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 valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• 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.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in archival work and/or have relevant experience in the subject
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, and be independently motivated.
• Deep interest in the National Park Service and archival work.

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.
• 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 10 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. 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.

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.

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