TTAP Member – Landscape Stewardship Corps – Hot Springs National Park

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service’s Hot Springs National Park, is seeking two members to contribute to landscape stewardship projects alongside Hot Springs National 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 background or previous experience in horticulture or historic preservation is necessary.

For more information about the National Park Service’s Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) – Landscape Stewardship Corps please visit: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1098/landscape-stewardship-corps.htm

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: March 4, 2024

Estimated End Date: August 30, 2024

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Hot Springs National Park, nestled in the heart of downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas, is famous for its thermal water and historic bath houses, but its 5000 acres are also home to 26 miles of wooded trails, historic landscapes and beautiful vistas overlooking the city. For more information about Hot Springs National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm.

Position Overview: Working with a dynamic, skilled, and motivated landscape team from Hot Springs National Park, the two ACE members will help rehabilitate flowerbeds, plantings and turf, manage irrigation systems, and prune historic and specimen trees and shrubs. The members will also work with Natural Resource Management to treat and remove invasive species in cultural landscapes and with Archeologists and GIS specialists to care for and document cultural resources, including historic buildings.

This individual 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.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm. Central Time Zone.

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 the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the NPS. A $125/week housing allowance will be provided to help offset the cost of housing.

Professional Development Stipend: The ACE Member will receive $1,000 of professional development funds that can be used for approved purposes.

Provided Training/Orientation: 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 will include OSHA-10 Certification and a Landscape Stewardship Fundamentals course.