Traditional Trades Advancement Program - Stones River National Battlefield

American Conservation Experience - EPIC; Murfreesboro (TN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Living allowance

Job summary

American Conservation Experience is seeking two members to contribute to historic preservation projects at Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro, TN. The program focuses on population preservation, historic horticulture, and general maintenance with no required prior education or experience.

A 26-week minimum commitment is required with start on 01/04/2027 and end on 07/03/2027.

Qualifications

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Self-directed work style and ability to work in a team.
• Must be able to operate off-highway UTVs; training provided.
• Valid drivers license and insurable driving record; 21+ to drive.

Responsibilities

• General seasonal maintenance of specimen trees in the historic cemetery.
• Assist with pruning from aerial platforms and learn basic tree rigging on the ground.
• Establish mulch rings around trees and aerate the root zone using compressed air excavators.
• Learn pruning cuts/strategies, knot-tying, equipment inspection and tree identification.
• Other activities may include headstone cleaning, tree lightning protection installation, cabling, and assisting other divisions.
• Collaborate with interpretive division on projects to broaden experience.

Job description

Traditional Trades Advancement Program - Stones River National Battlefield

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking TWO members to contribute to historic preservation projects alongside Stones River National Battlefield staff.

The Traditional Trades Advancement Program is intended for enthusiastic individuals who want to gain experience in the fields of historic preservation and horticulture.

No education or experience in the field is necessary.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date

01/04/2027

Estimated End Date

07/03/2027

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description

Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Stones River National Battlefield is made up of over 600 acres of living landscape that has been shaped by environmental factors throughout history. The Stones River is just one of many natural features in the park, including native grasslands, forests, karst topography, and rare limestone cedar glades. The park is also home to many plants, animals, fungi, and other living things, providing essential habitat in a growing urban area. Natural resource management plays an important part in preserving the natural history of the battlefield.

For more information about Stones River National Battlefield, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview

Interns will assist in general seasonal maintenance of specimen trees in the historic cemetery. Pruning is a recurring activity during the winter and interns will learn about the process while having the opportunity to assist with pruning from aerial platforms and learning basic tree rigging on the ground. Tree root health maintenance is a primary focus this coming winter and interns will assist with establishing mulch rings around trees and aerating the root zone using compressed air excavators. Along with hands‑on training interns will also be presented with theory of various pruning cuts/strategies, learning to tie knots, equipment inspection, and tree identification. Other activities may include headstone cleaning, tree lightening protection installation, tree cabling, and assisting other divisions.

The knowledge and skills gained by interns will be directly transferable to entry‑level qualifications similar to what might be expected for an NPS WG-5 Maintenance Worker position. The work projects are representative of recurring maintenance needs found on cultural landscapes of which there will continue to be an ongoing need for experienced laborers. We will also provide opportunities for interns to collaborate with the interpretive division on additional projects to broaden the experiences they are exposed to.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule

Biweekly schedule (alternates every week)

Week 1 Schedule: Monday through Friday (6:30am - 4:00pm)

Week 2 Schedule: Monday through Wednesday (6:30am - 4:00pm), Thursday (6:30am - 3:00pm), Friday (Off Day)

Position Benefits

Living Allowance

The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of its 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 (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing

NPS Housing may be available at a cost but is not guaranteed. Housing is the responsibility of the member and not guaranteed to be provided by ACE or NPS

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.

Interns will also participate in National Park Service Operational Leadership training. This training will provide interns with the knowledge necessary to communicate health and safety concerns with their coworkers, leaders, and supervisors. Prior to engaging in any new activity, interns will receive hands‑on demonstration of tools, equipment, and techniques from experienced workers. STRI will provide personal protective equipment and will communicate additional individual needs with interns as necessary. STRI will provide basic first aid and CPR training.

Qualifications

Required

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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.
• Members will be required to operate off‑highway UTVs. Training for UTV's will be necessary and provided.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• A current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID's upon hiring)
• 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.
• Members 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 high school diploma or GED.
• Ability and willingness to take directions and participate in a team.
• Desire and ability both to engage in the work and to establish themselves in the trade field
• Deep interest in historic and landscape preservation.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: May be physically demanding. Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, 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. Requires fine motor skills for tying knots. Ability to perform work with minimal breaks for up to 8 hours per day.
• 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 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently and may include the following: freezing temperature, hot and/or humid conditions (heat Index up to approx. 110 degrees, rain, wind, snow, insects, dust).
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools, and tractors/utv/similar equipment.
• Travel: This position does not require unique 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. Unique hazards may include working at heights, overhead falling objects, and ropes under tension.

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 enrolled in a program 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 general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.