TTAP Member – Landscape Stewardship Corps – Weir Farm National Historical Park

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service’s Weir Farm National Historical Park, is seeking two members to contribute to landscape stewardship projects alongside Weir Farm National 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 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 25, 2024

Estimated End Date: September 20, 2024

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Weir Farm National Historical Park celebrates the life and work of famous American Impressionist painter J. Alden Weir (1852-1919), through the artist’s home, farm, gardens, and studio. The 68-acre park’s beautiful historic gardens, pond, rolling meadows, temperate forests, and wetlands continue to inspire visitors and artists today. For more information about Weir Farm, please visit www.nps.gov/wefa/

The park is about 60 miles north of New York City, in the southwest corner of Connecticut near Ridgefield and other historic New England towns, which offer extensive educational, cultural, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Medical facilities and schools are excellent, and the area has many restaurants, farmers’ markets, orchards, breweries, art-fairs.

Position Overview: Working with a dynamic, skilled, and motivated team from Weir Farm National Parkj, the two ACE members will experience the full range of behind-the-scenes preservation and maintenance activities required in managing a nationally significant historic landscape and will receive training and mentoring from park staff. Duties will include cultivating flower and shrub plantings, pruning and tree care, field management, and reporting on and managing invasive species.

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: The maintenance team at Weir Farm typically works from 6:30 am to 3:00 pm EST, Monday- Friday. However, someone is at the park until 5:00 pm, 7 days a week during the season so the schedule can be adjusted as needed.

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 available 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.