Traditional Trades Program - Historic Infrastructure - Mill Springs Battlefield Nat

Traditional Trades Advancement Program - Historic Infrastructure - Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

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 Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument staff.

The Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Historic Infrastructure 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.

Start Date: Late April / May 2026

Estimated End Date: October / November 2026

* a 26-week minimum commitment is required*

Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument - Nancy, Kentucky

The Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Visitor Center is located 1-mile east of the town of Nancy, KY at 9020 West Highway 80. The core battlefield land is located 1-mile south of Nancy, KY, along KY-235. The Confederate fortifications are 9 miles south of the core battlefield on KY-235. Two historic homes associated with the campaign and battle are located 30 minutes from the park Visitor Center on the south side of Lake Cumberland, in or near Mill Springs, KY.

Nancy is a vibrant little community with restaurants, grocery stores, and post office. Somerset, KY (population 12,000) is 12 miles to the east. The immediate Somerset area offers plenty of amenities including restaurants, grocery stores, shopping, doctors, hospital, daycare, and a robust housing market. The closest airport is in Lexington, KY, approximately a 1 hour, 15-minute drive north. Larger cities within driving distance are Bowling Green, Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Knoxville, all are approximately 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours away.

Members will work on replacement of 2,100 linear feet of historic fencing. There will be some minor bushing involved in the removal of the old fencing. Members will remove and dispose of the obsolete fencing and replace it with historically accurate stacked red cedar split rail fencing. They will also complete some minor masonry work started by HPTC on a historic wall that connects to the fence project.

They will clean historic monuments (pressure washing) within the fences at the park.

This 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.

Monday - Thursday, 6:30 AM-5 PM (4/10 schedule: 4 days/10 hours)

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.

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 and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the NPS.

$1,000 of professional development funds will be available to participants for pre-approved uses.

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.

• 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.
• A valid driver's 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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited…