Preservation Helper

US National Park Service; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

US National Park Service is seeking a Preservation Helper in the Philadelphia area. The role involves assisting in the preservation, stabilization, and maintenance of historic structures under supervision, applying a range of construction skills including plastering, roofing, painting, masonry, and carpentry as needed.

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to interpret instructions, use tools and equipment, and work with materials under guidelines.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform the work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to read and interpret instructions and blueprints.
• Ability to use and maintain tools and equipment.
• Knowledge of building preservation techniques and materials.
• Experience assisting preservation, stabilization, and maintenance of historic properties.
• Experience with plastering, roofing, painting, masonry, or carpentry as needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist journey-level preservationists in preservation tasks.
• Help with preservation, stabilization, restoration and maintenance of historic properties.
• Assist with tasks in plastering, roofing, painting, masonry and carpentry.
• Ensure resume clearly documents knowledge, skills and abilities for eligibility.

Skills

Screen-out ability

Interpret instructions

Use and maintain tools

Knowledge of assembly/repair

Knowledge of materials

Technical practices

Measuring instructions

Job description

You will serve as a Preservation Helper.

This position is also open to local candidates under announcement CAHR-26-13048343-DE-AKS.

First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/11/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

1. Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)


2. Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc. (includes blueprints reading)


3. Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment


4. Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation Repair, etc.


5. Knowledge of materials


6. Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)


7. Use of Measuring Instructions

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Examples of experience such as: Assisting in maintaining and/or preserving historic properties. Working under the direction of others to help with the preservation, stabilization, restoration, and maintenance of historic structures. Ability to assist journey level preservationists to perform tasks on at least 2 of the following skills: plastering, roofing, painting, masonry, and carpentry. Related skills may include surface preparation, rough and finish carpentry, cleaning, mortar mixing, minor repairs to stone masonry, and /or painting work. Experience assisting others with at least some or all of the following: repainting masonry walls, chimneys, fireplaces, or other masonry features, stabilizing and/or repairing wood frame and timber structures, restoring building elements such as windows, doors, siding, and trim, using a combination of modern and historic techniques and materials which may no longer be commercially available. Have utilized hand and power tools which include: hammers, saws, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, drills, tape measures, squares, chisels, drawknives, calipers, and traditional carpentry tools. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.

You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position.

Volunteer Experience:

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.