Traditional Trades Program - Landscape Stewardship Corps – Marsh-Billings-Rockefell

Traditional Trades Advancement Program - Landscape Stewardship Corps – Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Historical Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking one member to contribute to landscape stewardship and historic preservation projects alongside Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Historical Park 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 Service's Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) - Landscape Stewardship Corps, please visit our website. For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: April 13, 2026

Estimated End Date: October 09, 2026

* a 26-week minimum commitment is required

Location Details/

Description:

Nestled among the rolling hills of eastern-central Vermont, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park (MABI) preserves and interprets the history of the conservation movement in the United States. The park features the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller mansion and a series of trails, and over 500 acres of historically managed forest. The park is also home to the NPS Stewardship Institute, an advanced study institute exploring new avenues of conservation leadership and practice.

For more information about Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Historical Park, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: Under guidance from Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park (MABI), the ACE member will learn and practice skills in horticulture and arboriculture to support preservation efforts throughout the parks. Project work will include learning and practicing flower garden maintenance, turf and irrigation management, tree and hedge maintenance, trail maintenance, carpentry, and other tasks as needed. The ACE member will also participate in larger, planned projects, including grafting historic apple cultivars and establishing a new nursery to support historically significant plants.

This placement is designed to facilitate professional development and exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals, with opportunities to gain experience in different conservation fields and shadow different work groups.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

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 food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
• Housing: A housing allowance of $1,000/month will be provided for the duration of the term.
• Professional Development Stipend: $1,000 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, 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.
• 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 a positive, contributing member of a group.
• 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.
• 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, term-start feedback forms, end-of-term evaluations, and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in…