Preservation Helper

National Park Service; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Park Service seeks a Preservation Helper to support journey-level preservationists in maintaining and restoring historic structures and landscapes within a park. This term appointment lasts at least 13 months and may extend up to four years, subject to regulations.

You will work under supervision, applying basic preservation trades, following standards, and contributing to preservation goals across buildings, monuments, and related resources.

Responsibilities

• Assists journey-level Preservationists in simple and routine trade tasks related to building, maintenance, restoration, and preservation of historic structures and landscapes.
• Supports preservation activities involving historic buildings, monuments, memorials, statues, markers, signs, tablets, artillery pieces, and similar resources.
• Performs assigned work under the direct supervision and oversight of a journey-level employee.
• Applies basic knowledge of historic preservation trades to complete tasks per established procedures and guidance.
• Adheres to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties in all preservation-related work.
• Assists with limited administrative tasks associated with preservation activities as needed.

Job description

Open: September 4, 2026 — Closes: September 11, 2026

Summary

You will serve as a Preservation Helper. This position is also open to local candidates under announcement CAHR-26-13048343-DE-AKS. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods. First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Major Duties

Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Assists journey-level Preservationists in performing a variety of simple and routine trade tasks related to the building, maintenance, restoration, and preservation of historic structures and landscapes. Supports preservation activities involving historic buildings, monuments, memorials, statues, markers, signs, tablets, artillery pieces, and similar resources. Performs assigned work under the direct supervision and oversight of a journey-level employee. Applies basic knowledge of historic preservation trades to complete tasks in accordance with established procedures and guidance. Adheres to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties in all preservation-related work. Performs supplemental duties across multiple trades, as assigned, to support preservation projects. Assists with limited administrative tasks associated with preservation activities, as needed. Contributes to the overall mission of the park's historic preservation program, with primary emphasis on the preservation of historic structures and landscapes. Assist a journey-level position in masonry and wood crafting features, including special finishes and stains, repairing, replacing, and reproducing welds to historic standards. Assist a journey-level position in the preservation and restoration of historic plastering, roofing, and painted surfaces including those with special finishes and colors, historic carpentry, including those with special finishes and stains. This is a term position (more than 1 year) with an initial appointment expecting to last at least 13 months but may be extended up to a total of four years, or more based on any changes to regulations governing the number of years term appointments may last, without further competition at management's discretion.