Traditional Trades Advancement Program Landscape Stewardship Corps – Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the National Park Service is seeking two members to contribute to landscape stewardship and historic preservation projects alongside Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site staff.

The Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Landscape Stewardship Corps is intended for enthusiastic individuals who possess an interest in gaining experience in the field of landscape preservation or horticulture. No education or experience in the field is necessary.

For more information about the National Park Services Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) - Landscape Stewardship Corps please visit our website.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: March 23 2026

Estimated End Date: September 18 2026

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site (ROVA) in Hyde Park NY is centrally located on the Eastern side of the Hudson River in New Yorks Hudson River Valley. The site includes the Home of Franklin Roosevelt the countrys longest serving President; The Vanderbilt Mansion a historic Gilded Age country estate; Val Kill the Home of Eleanor Roosevelt and the only National Historic site dedicated to a First Lady; and Bellefield mansion with one of the few remaining residential gardens designed by Beatrix Farrand the first female landscape architect in the United States. The park features gardens woodlands agricultural fields trails historic homes and the National Archives of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library the first Presidential Library in the United States. ROVA preserves and shares the stories and resources of the Roosevelt and Vanderbilt families in Hyde Park for the education and enjoyment of the public.

Hyde Park is a combination of rural and suburban areas 90 miles North of New York City which is accessible for day trips by Metro-North commuter train. A personal vehicle is recommended for regular commute.

For more information about Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: Under guidance from Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site staff ACE members will care for cultural landscapes at ROVAs historic sites by practicing and learning best practices in historic preservation horticulture arboriculture (tree care) and general landscape stewardship. ACE members will get the opportunity to work in a variety of settings including ornamental gardens food production gardens and historic landscapes alongside park staff volunteers and park partners. Project work will include planting and maintaining annual and perennial gardens caring for historic trees shrubs and native plants. ACE members may also be trained in traditional skillsets like carpentry and masonry to support preservation efforts on historic structures.

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: Monday through Friday 8:00AM-4:00PM

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $720/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 (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: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Professional Development Stipend: $1000 of professional development funds will be available to participants for pre-approved uses.

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 include OSHA-10 and Introduction to Preservation Horticulture.

Qualifications

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident as required by U.S. government contracts.
• Members must have a High School Diploma or GED.
• Members must be ages 18-30 (up to 35 if a U.S. veteran).
• 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.
• Interest in historic preservation horticulture arboriculture and/or the environment.
• A valid drivers 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 located on our Indeed homepage.

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.
• 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 15 lbs. ability to move up to 30 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• 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.

To Apply: Please submit your resume a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACEs online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Historic Preservation Project Manager Kyle Ellison.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications we want to hear from you!

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 with ACE is based upon ability qualifications attitude and job-related factors. Every qualified employee 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 creed sex gender national origin pregnancy ancestry citizenship status genetic information (including of a family member) veteran or military status age physical or mental disability sexual orientation gender identity or expression 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.