Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Andersonville National Historic Site – AmeriCorps

Position Title:  NPS Historic Preservation Training Center – Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Andersonville National Historic Site – AmeriCorps  

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements - East

Site Location: NPS – Andersonville National Historic Site

496 Cemetery Rd, Andersonville, GA 31711

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 05/25/2026
• End Date: 11/20/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours (26 Weeks) 

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements is an AmeriCorps affiliated program that provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and protect our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting the health of natural areas.

Stewards, in partnership with the National Park Service and Historic Preservation Training Center are seeking individuals to participate in the Traditional Trades Apprenticeship Program. Members will receive introductory training in a variety of traditional trades and will develop an understanding of historic resource stewardship while helping to preserve our nation’s historic resources. This program provides participants with marketable skills and excellent exposure to the historic preservation career field within the NPS as well as the private sector. 

The service members will support ANDERSONVILLE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE with the rehabilitation of the cultural landscape of Andersonville National Cemetery. The members will learn to understand Cultural Landscape Reports and implement long-term care of landscape features, including turf, shrubs, and trees, many of which are over 100 years old. Proper care includes soil de-compaction, soil amendments (composting and mulching), installing lightning protection, shaping, and pruning. In addition, regenerating genetic stock to replace the historic trees when they die. The members will also learn proper tree and shrub installation techniques and early care to ensure successful transplanting.

Description of Duties:

Learning applied techniques for extending the life and management of historic trees this includes the following bullet points.

• Root care and remediation of compromised soils
• Solution orientated pruning techniques via climbing, aerial lift, and/or groundwork
• Genetic preservation via propagation and grafting
• Navigating long term management and practical work demands of a specific site
• Tree biology and growth patterns
• Maintaining equipment
• Fertilizing schedules

Turf Maintenance

• Mowing high profile park areas for high quality turf
• Watering and fertilization
•  Assisting in arboriculture operations
• Weeding garden beds

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age, Veterans up to 35 years of age.
• Ability to commit to a 26-week experience of combined training and hands-on work
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Bachelor's degree preferred but not required
• Ability to operate as a good team member
• Takes Initiative and acts independently
• Ability to run a chainsaw

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that people with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use of program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruitment process, please send a request to the hiring manager.  

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday at a full-time capacity of 40 hours a week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term. 
• Fully On-Site

Orientation and Training:

• Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Hands-on experience in arboriculture including the use of various equipment, fertilizers, and pesticides.
• Professional development in financial responsibility and resume building.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50
• Living Allowance of $520 a week Additional Benefit of $200 a week (equivalent to $18/hr)
• $1000 Professional Development Stipend
• Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority
• NO Park Housing Available – Local Candidates preferred
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible 

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service. Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

STE Program Staff:

Kahla Stewart

Program Coordinator

Stewards Individual Placements

(423) 402-6004

kstewart@conservationlegacy.org

Service Site Staff:

Adam Foldesi

Horticulturist

Andersonville National Historic Site

adam_foldesi@nps.gov

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Salary : $18