Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Traditional Trades Advancement Program Fort Vancouver 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 historic preservation projects alongside Fort Vancouver National Historic Site staff.

The Traditional Trades Advancement Program is intended for enthusiastic individuals who possess an interest in gaining experience in the field of historic preservation carpentry or horticulture. No background or previous experience in horticulture is necessary.

For more information about the National Park Services Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) please visit the NPS website.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: June 8 2026

Estimated End Date: December 4 2026

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Located on the north bank of the Columbia River in sight of snowy mountain peaks and a vibrant urban landscape Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (FOVA) has a rich cultural past. From frontier fur trading to powerful military legacy the magic of flight and the origin of the American Pacific Northwest history is shared across four unique sites in Vancouver Washington and Oregon City Oregon. FOVAs resources include among others over 50 buildings including 24 historic structures and 14 reconstructions over 200 acres four cultural landscapes a reconstructed Fort and the Pearson Air Museum. The parks annual visitation is just under 1 million visitors. All are accessible by personal and public transportation.

FOVA neighbors Vancouvers downtown area which boasts restaurants parks supermarkets hotels and public libraries.

For more information about Fort Vancouver National Historic Site please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (FOVA) staff are working to preserve and maintain its nationally significant four cultural landscapes. FOVA staff will provide mentorship across a wide array of projects where ACE members can develop skills in horticulture arboriculture and cultural landscape maintenance. There will also be opportunities to engage in carpentry and brick masonry repair tree maintenance prairie restoration and other tasks as needed.

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 6:00AM-2:30PM

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: NPS housing may be available. More information will be provided upon a position offer.

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 includes OSHA-10 and Introduction to Preservation Horticulture.

Qualifications

Required:

• 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.
• 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 current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of IDs 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.
• 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.

Preferred:

• Ability and willingness to learn and work independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Deep interest in historic preservation

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 climbing talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop kneel climb stairs scaffolding and ladders 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 25 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.
• 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 work at elevated platforms (scaffolding & ladders). 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: Submitting a resume and cover letter is optional. Please share 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 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.