Multidisciplinary Design (Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering) Member - George Washington Memorial Parkway - Build Up Technical Internship Program

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking one member to contribute to architecture, landscape architecture, and engineering projects alongside NPS Staff.

About Build Up Technical Internship Program: This position is part of the Build Up Technical Internship Program facilitated by the Historic Preservation Training Center. The Build Up Technical Internship Program is working to expand and diversify the National Park Service workforce while addressing critical maintenance needs by providing professional experiences in technical fields to students and recent graduates.

For more information about the Build Up Technical Internship Program, please visit the NPS website.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: Beginning of May 2026

EstimatedEnd Date: End of July 2026

*a 12-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: The George Washington Memorial Parkway is a 25-mile-long parkway with more than 25 park sites. It is a carefully planned scenic route to the nation's capital. From the north it curves alongside the Potomac Gorge, highlighting its steep cliffs and rich woods. From the south, it is a broad avenue punctuated with monuments to America's history. Overlooks and picnic areas dot its length, providing places to rest and admire the land it passes through.

For more information about the George Washington Memorial Parkway, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: This member will assist the Professional Services Division of the Parkway, which manages design and construction projects throughout the park, in effort to support the National Park Service Mission to conserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. Facilities include preservation and rehabilitation of historic landmark buildings (Jones Point Lighthouse, Clara Barton House, Glen Echo), roads(George Washington Memorial Parkway), and bridges(Arlington Memorial Bridge), park visitor centers (Great Falls Park), trails (Mount Vernon Trail), and landscape rehabilitation (Memorial Drive). Day to day activities range from assistance with planning, design, and construction site observations and photography. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided.

The Build Up member will assist the park with all aspects of design and construction starting with project inception and working through project completion.

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: 8 AM - 4 PM M-F

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $840/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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Direct Hiring Authority; This position is classified as a DHA (Direct Hiring Authority) Internship. DHA positions target exceptional, current upper-level undergraduate or graduate students that are interested in pursuing careers with the NPS. DHA positions will be rigorous internships that develop the participant's technical and creative thinking abilities, leadership skills, and problem-solving capabilities.

DHA applicants will be involved in projects that [add any unique end of term reporting or cap-stone style term requirements here, if applicable, or remove this entire sentence if not relevant]. After successful completion of the internship and all DHA program requirements, and after graduation from the member's degree program, the member will be eligible to receive DHA non-competitive hiring eligibility.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the National Park Service.

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 may include federal resume-building.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or Engineering and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as the built environment, design, and project management.
• Knowledge of safe practices for field observations and photography at construction sites - basic OSHA training will be provided.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, and be independently motivated.
• Deep interest in the National Park Service, the built environment, and architecture.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety:If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position on usaconservation website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact our ACE EPIC Western Member Manager, Vanessa Rogan.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.