National Trails Landscape Architect

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Trails Office, is seeking 1 member to contribute to Landscape Architecture and signage projects alongside National Park Service Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: January 2026
Estimated End Date: January 2027

* a 52-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/

Description:

NPS Office located at the National Park Service Building in Santa Fe, NM.

National Trails administers ten national historic trails and one historic highway that, combined, stretch for more than 29,000 miles across 24 states. The National Trails Office works with a diversity of partners to protect, develop, and promote these special places. Their staff of interdisciplinary experts assist community groups, private landowners, nonprofit organizations, tribes, and federal, state, county, and local agencies with trail and site planning and design, on-the-ground trail mapping, educational opportunities, and identifying resources.

For more information about the National Trails Office (NTIR) based out of Santa Fe, NM, please visit the NPS website.

The anticipated applicant will play a vital role in supporting this mission by working with the NTIR Design and Development Team on a wide range of projects focused on the preservation and development of national historic trails for public use.

Key responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with NTIR and project partners on National Historic Trail design and development, including conceptual and schematic level site and trail planning, regional scale planning, preparation of design details, and creation of perspective images.
• Coordinating with a wide range of project partners, such as municipalities, state and federal agencies, private landowners, and other stakeholders, in support of trail planning, design, and development.
• Assisting trail partners and NTIR with the development and implementation of roadway, pedestrian, and site signage plans for national historic trails.
• Participating in site visits and project meetings related to trail planning, design, and development.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different professional fields and shadowing different NTIR Teams.

The position is primarily on-site at the NPS Office located at the National Park Service Building in Santa Fe, NM. 40 hours a week. Flexible schedule within Mon‑Fri, 8:30am - 5:00pm (MT).

The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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 (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.

ACE members will be provided a monthly housing reimbursement up to $1,200 a month, not to exceed $14,400 in total.

ACE members will have access to up to $700 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.