Historic Preservation Trades Intern at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Position Summary 

Build your hands-on preservation trades skills at Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monuments through projects addressing a range of historic preservation needs. Over the course of a 26-week immersive experience, TTAP participants train and work alongside experienced NPS employees to preserve cultural resources and crucial infrastructure. TTAP interns will obtain a breadth of preservation trades experience which they can build on if they decide to continue with historic preservation.

Location 

St. Augustine, FL

Schedule 

April 6, 2026 - October 3, 2026

40 hours/week with weekends and federal holidays off.

Skills Training & Support Provided:

·      Painting of historic artillery weapons

·      Use of historic preservation equipment, which includes assembly, installation, and repair

·      Masonry cleaning and repointing 

·      Morter analysis and mixing

·      Window restoration (glazing and replacement)

·      Wood crafting

·      Metalwork

·      Hand and power tools use

·      General preservation maintenance

·      OSHA 10 Construction certification

Position Benefits:

• $1,000 Funding for independent professional development

• Travel and associated expenses for in-person Historic Preservation Fundamentals course

• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority (at position completion)

• OSHA 10 Certification

• Training and networking opportunities with NPS and preservation professionals

Compensation  

$1,440 bi-weekly living allowance (pre-tax)

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

The Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) is an internship program of the National Park Service for aspiring preservation tradespeople. TTAP participants train and work alongside experienced NPS employees at a specific park site to preserve historic infrastructure and cultural resources. These valuable resources need constant thoughtful and careful preservation, repair, and maintenance. By assisting with preservation projects, participants directly improve the physical conditions of nationally significant park spaces that are accessed and enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year. Participants gain practical, hands-on experience and the foundation for a career in historic preservation. They learn the fundamentals of historic preservation and receive on-the-job training in one or more traditional trades such as masonry, carpentry, wood crafting, landscape preservation, and more. The program is committed to providing all aspiring preservationists—especially those underrepresented in the trades—with a unique opportunity to work on important real-world projects while building professional experience in America’s national parks.

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• • Repair and preserve historic exhibits, buildings, structures, and other historic features of cultural or environmental interest
• • Provide conservation and historic preservation services to the historic artillery collections, structures, and unique exhibits in and outside of the national monuments
• • Conduct thorough assessments, prior to service, of pieces in the museum’s artillery collection for their current condition, surveying for any damages that may have occurred due to aging, weathering, and constant foot traffic
• · Assist in historic preservation work in a variety of trade skills and crafts such as masonry, painting, roofing, and carpentry for the treatment of historic properties
• · Research, investigate, evaluate, and record data pertaining to past and current physical condition of historic artillery pieces/structures
• · Document and recognize differences between periods and styles of architectural design, historic details, and character defining elements · Differentiate historic materials from modern materials
• · Perform nondestructive investigations
• · Perform preservation treatments on historic structures and/or ruins built of mortar, adobe, stone, wood, and/or a combination of building materials
• · Record data related to inspections in field notes annotated with sketches, measured drawings, and photographs
• · Identify deficiencies in historic structures, causes of deterioration/failures · Assemble progress and completion reports
• · Adeptly conversant of new techniques to resolve previously unresolved restoration and/or preservation issues
• · Research and recommend treatment alternatives · Assist others with conducting work involving historic lime, concrete, historic earth, brick, block, stone, and adobe · Assist others in projects involving historic wooden features and/or a combination of building materials
• · Skillfully perform conservation/preservation services of national treasures (iron/bronze cannons and mortars) and historic structures
• · Educate and immerse in the parks natural and cultural resources, daily activities, traditions, and historical interpretation · Interact with park visitors in a kind, friendly, and educational manner
• · Proactively respond to inquiries from park staff and contractors
• · Develop and maintain good relations with park staff and other groups to achieve accomplishment of assigned work
• · Professionally collaborated with historic architects, engineers, architectural conservators, historians, archeologists, and other natural resource professionals and park managers when developing appropriate management guidelines
• · Train in federal government National Park Service policies
• · Train in Defensive Driving, Lock Out/Tag Out, electrical safety, OSHA Fall Prevention, and Full-Body Harness and maintenance
• · Train in the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the treatment of historic properties
• · Record accurate and pertinent information in relation to park assets, maintenance, construction requirements, and accomplishments
• · Maintain significant records throughout service, viable and precise documentation of all conservation/historic preservation services

Marginal Duties 

• Litter cleanup/collection

• Basic grounds maintenance

• Shop maintenance/cleaning

Required Qualifications 

• Interest in historic preservation trades and continuing into the trades field

• Age restrictions: 18 - 30 (or 35 for Veterans)

• Must be able to commit to the project for 26 weeks

• Physical effort is heavy to moderate for this position and requires occasional lifting or handling of objects or materials up to 50lbs, unassisted, following proper lifting procedures to avoid injury. Frequently required to stand while working, climb ladders or scaffolding, and bend, stoop, climb, and work in awkward positions.

• Interest in using hand and power tools in an outdoor setting to complete projects

• Ability to commute to meet up location daily

• Follow all safety rules and regulations and participate in ongoing safety culture of the site.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications 

Valid driver’s license and ability to pass DOI driver standards and background check in order to drive a government vehicle.

Hours 

40 hours/week.

Living Accommodations 

Park housing is not available. Local candidates (St. Johns County/Duval County) preferred.

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.