Field Leader- Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site Historic Preservation Team

Conservation Begins Here.

The Student Conservation Association (SCA), America’s #1 conservation service organization, seeks qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire students for the programs.  

Training Dates: TBD  (paid mandatory training)

Program Dates: 03/04/2024 – 12/13/2024 (Leader dates 02/26/2024 – 12/20/2024)

Location (City and State): Springfield Armory National Historic Site (MA), Valley Forge, and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (PA)

Primary Responsibilities:

The Maintenance Action Team (MAT) Historic Preservation Crew will build hands-on preservation trades skills at 3 National Park Service-managed historic sites: Springfield Armory, Hopewell Furnace, and Valley Forge. Projects include addressing a range of preservation needs, including cemetery and headstone restoration, carpentry, column repair, painting, and other exterior structure repair. The ideal crew leader is excited about hands-on trades work and should be able to demonstrate or discuss their interest in the preservation field. The crew leader should have at least one year of experience in the preservation trades and feel comfortable leading a crew of 4 young adults in various projects. The crew leader must be able to commit to the position from February 26 – December 20, with weekends and federal holidays off.

Specifically, the Crew Leader will:

• Act as a Crew Supervisor, by facilitating teamwork, managing field-based tasks, and guiding crew dynamics
• Serve as an Advisor by training members in technical conservation work skills, mentoring personal and professional development, and teaching environmental stewardship
• Act as a Project Manager by communicating with agency park partners, ensuring successful and timely completion of work projects, and upholding a positive representation of SCA
• Perform tasks as a Program Administrator, by organizing logistics, completing documentation, managing a budget, and communicating with SCA staff

Leader Qualifications:

• Experience working with youth or young adults
• 1+ year(s) experience with historic preservation trades or related skills – i.e., preservation carpentry, masonry, window restoration, headstone cleaning and cemetery restoration.
• Physical effort is heavy to moderate for this position and requires occasional lifting or handling materials up to 50 lbs, unassisted, following proper lifting techniques to avoid injury. Frequently required to stand while working, climb ladders or scaffolding, and bend, stoop, climb, and work in awkward positions.
• Must be able to attend Crew Leader training: TBD
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
• Must have the ability to legally work in the US
• Must have a valid driver’s license for 3+ years and MVR that meets SCA standards
• Housing is provided and shared with crew, private room available.

Leader Benefits and Compensation:

• $600 weekly stipend
• $1100 paid travel
• Shared housing and utilities provided:
  • Springfield Armory: Dormitory-style rooms at local tech college
  • Valley Forge and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Sites: Park housing provided at Lafayette’s Headquarters, private room for Leader
• 5 days of PTO for the season and paid Federal Holidays

The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Click here to learn more about Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the SCA.