Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Natchez Trace Parkway – AmeriCorps

Position Title:  NPS Historic Preservation Training Center – Traditional Trades Advancement Program – Natchez Trace Parkway – AmeriCorps  

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements - East

Site Location: NPS – Natchez Trace Parkway

118 Natchez Trace Parkway, Kosciusko, MS 39090

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 06/01/2026
• End Date: 11/28/2026
• 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 assist NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY with management and maintenance of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. Participants will acquire practical skills on how to rehabilitate and replace trail structures, stabilize soils to prevent erosion, and manage vegetation along the trail corridor. Service members will also benefit from working collectively as a team to accomplish a common goal and develop leadership skills.

Description of Duties:

Rehabilitate the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail (NATT) to preserve resources, improve visitor experience, and reduce deferred maintenance. Project objectives listed within the following bullet points.

• Repair or replace trail bridges and boardwalks.
• Repair trail head.
• Repair or install water diversion barriers.
• Remove overgrown vegetation and downed timbers.
• Install signage and refresh paint markers to provide direction to trail visitors.

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.
• Willingness to learn preservation skills and safety protocols.
• Operate as a good team member and follow daily direction.
• Follow HPTC's project agreement and safety plan.
• Be respectful of all members, site mentors, and staff.
• Attention to Detail.
• Organization and Time Management Skills

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.
• Members will be provided with hands-on experience in environmental stewardship by NPS staff.
• Instruction and guidance on carpentry skills and operating/servicing equipment.
• Chainsaw operator course

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50
• Living Allowance of $600 a week Additional Benefit of $200 a week (equivalent to $20/hr)
• Additional Housing Stipend of $1000 a month
• $1000 Professional Development Stipend
• Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority
• NO Park Housing Available – Students from the School to Park Program at Columbia Falls High 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:

Christopher Ellington

Trail Program Coordinator

Natchez Trace Parkway

christopher_ellington@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 : $1,000