Historic Preservation Lead

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) is a nonprofit youth development organization serving New Mexico. We inspire young adults to make a positive difference in themselves and their communities. Through training and service, Corpsmembers discover their potential for healthy, productive lives.

Individual Placement positions work within RMYC partner agencies, and are intended to provide meaningful job experience for young professionals looking to build their careers in specific fields.

POSITION OVERVIEW: This position will work with Pecos National Historic Park on a range of historic preservation efforts. The member will be the primary liaison between RMYC and NPS staff in the repair and rehabilitation of corral at Kozlowski Trading Post, the repairs of the corner posts and gate intersections along highway 63 and replacement of other landscape fencing throughout Pecos National Historical Park. This position will be embedded with the crew and oversee the day-to-day work and reporting to NPS staff on progress, issues and concerns as they arise.

The member will review and track progress using GIS and ensure restoration efforts are performed at a high level of quality. Other duties include working as a team with host location staff and tracking data. Professional development and work-training is a major focus of this position. The ideal candidate is someone looking for a starting point to build a career in historic preservation, outdoor recreation, and management. This position is managed through RMYC and includes professional development, regular check-ins, and life skills training that RMYC offers regularly. Other training opportunities will be provided through the host program or outside training tailored to the needs of the individual. Cross-training with other programs is also encouraged. As an AmeriCorps member, this position will not serve in any supervising or staff roles.

POSITION TYPE: Seasonal, full time, AmeriCorps member

SCHEDULE: Full Time, 40 Hours per week, 6/1/26 – 9/4/26. Exact start and end times will be determined by program funding, program needs, and timing of applications received.

REPORTS TO: Pecos National Historic Park Staff daily and to RMYC Upper Rio Grande Program Coordinator on a weekly basis.

LOCATION: Pecos National Historic Park

TERM LENGTH: 450 hour AmeriCorps term.

COMPENSATION: Biweekly Stipend of $1,440 (Equivalent of $18.00 per hour)

EDUCATION AWARD: AmeriCorps Segal Education Award scholarship of $1,956.35 upon successful completion of term of service.

OTHER SUPPORT: Parents or caregivers are eligible and encouraged to apply. Full time, 1700 hour term applicants may qualify to receive childcare benefits through the AmeriCorps Childcare Program. More information is available by request or through the AmeriCorps Childcare Program website.

BENEFITS:

• Housing provided at no extra cost.
• Healthcare coverage is available to all AmeriCorps members at no cost to the member.  This is considered primary coverage and is not available as supplemental coverage.
• Non-Scheduled Days (paid days off) are available, with the exact number depending on the length of the term of service (These days off ARE NOT counted toward the service hours required for the Educational Award). Time off in excess of assigned non-scheduled days will require make up work or a stipend reduction.
• RMYC observes all National holidays and are considered approved paid days off, however RMYC reserves the right to have AmeriCorps members work or earn service hours on certain holidays if necessary to meet program requirements (holiday time off hours ARE NOT counted toward the service hours required for the Educational Award).
• Student loan forbearance and interest payments are available for qualifying loans.

ELIGIBILITY:

A chosen candidate must meet the following requirements:

• 18-30 years old as of the position start date.
• All AmeriCorps members must be citizens, national, or lawful permanent residents of the United States. State-level background checks will be conducted for non-residents of NM.
• Chosen candidates must complete a pre-employment National Service Criminal History Check and fingerprint scan with the following requirements:
• You must be truthful in all statements regarding criminal history.
• You cannot be registered or required to be registered on any state sex offender registry or the National Sex Offender Registry.
• You cannot be convicted of murder.
• Insurable driving record and a valid driver’s license.
• Have a High School Diploma, equivalent diploma (G.E.D.), or agree to obtaining one prior to using the Segal Education Award
• If you are not capable of obtaining a High School diploma or equivalent or are enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis you may be considered eligible for funds under section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091)
• Able to complete the entire length of the service term, including make up hours if necessary.
• Essential physical functions include the ability to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, climb, balance, reach with hands & arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl on a frequent basis, and lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals to perform the essential functions.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Historic Preservation:

• Utilize historic techniques to maintain and repair historic and cultural structures.
• Utilize carpentry to repair structures including:
• Replacing deteriorated fencing, lumber, and posts.
• Scraping and repainting wood.
• Repairing grounds and tread.

Management:

• Assist with the management of crews and volunteers.
• Perform quality control checks on completed work.
• Administrative tasks, including filing, organization, invoicing, and reporting.

Data Tracking:

• GIS data entry.
• Track notable project work for biweekly RMYC reports.
• Anticipate needed materials, tools, and supplies. Report to NPS staff for acquisition.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Assist crews with duties including:
• Adobe brick construction and installation.
• Mortar mixing, plastering, moving and replacing stone.
• Mud capping to protect structures from weather.
• Preparation for cultural events, such as Feast Day.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing environment.
• Perform various tasks within the scope of work for an AmeriCorps member.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be comfortable working outside and performing fieldwork for long periods of time in all weather conditions.
• Applicants should demonstrate strong organizational skills, have experience working as part of a team, be able to work well with others in a professional setting, be self-motivated, and able to work independently with limited supervision after the initial training period.
• Applicants must have great attention to detail and problem solving skills.
• Strong work ethic, and the ability to take initiative and work independently with periodic check-ins.
• Participation in one service event that benefits the community is required, with options to attend additional service events.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

• Ability to operate independently and make day-to-day decisions regarding project work.
• Experience with fencing and historic preservation techniques.
• Strong project management, written and oral skills.
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (conservation management, environmental science, biology, history, etc.)

EVALUATION:

Members serving less than a full-time term of service (<1700 hours) will receive a mandatory end-of-term evaluation, with an optional mid-term evaluation.

CONTACT:

If you have any questions about the position, please contact:

RMYC:

• Carl Smith, Individual Placement Coordinator: carl@youthcorps.org

Host Site, Pecos National Historic Park:

• Jim Huck, Facilities Manager: Jim_Huck@nps.gov