Water Lab & Utility Service Member
Position Title: NPS Historic Preservation Training Center – Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park - Water Lab & Utility Shop Service Member – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements - East
Site Location: NPS-Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
207 Freedom Court, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Terms of Service:
- Start Date: 05/04/2026
- End Date: 10/16/2026
- AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675Hours (24 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 FREDERICKSBURG & SPOTSYLVANIA NATIONAL MILITARY PARK (FRSP) is seeking an AmeriCorps service member to assist with the operations of parkwide running water and wastewater plants.
This role provides an overview experience of the Facility Maintenance division of Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. The Water Lab & Utilities Shop Service Member will work independently and/or as part of a small team on water/wastewater operations and maintenance on systems parkwide. In addition to performing these tasks, the intern will engage in a wide breadth of professional development opportunities.
This support will include but is not limited to taking daily chlorine, pH and other water quality readings, checking wastewater pumps and ensuring meter readings daily, and completing daily charts and plant operations log sheets.
Description of Duties:
- Assist USRO in the oversight of a Parkwide Utility Infrastructure Project
- Members will observe contractors completing work on water and wastewater projects and be included in weekly meeting updates.
- Assist USRO in Technical review of Water/Wastewater components of this project.
- Operate light trucks and other vehicles to access systems and move supplies and materials.
- Collect water samples and perform water testing in accordance with Standard Methods and State Requirements.
- Record water and wastewater data (e.g., meter readings) on local, state, and federal forms.
- Perform minor repair to plumbing and chemical feed systems, which includes Lift Stations and Grinder Pumps.
- Conduct routine system checks and monitor chlorine residuals.
- Perform general maintenance and cleanup to pumphouses, treatment plants, laboratories, and vehicles.
- Analyze water results and make corrections to treatment processes.
- Assist with wastewater system maintenance and pumping operations.
- Complete hard copy and electronic paperwork, forms, and data-entry; compile and review information and create draft reports.
- Job shadow other employees and work groups to gain exposure to other career paths and facets of park operations.
- Assist Supervisor and other administrative staff with tasks such as data collection and contract monitoring, fleet management, and supply inventory and monitoring.
- Prepare documents and reports using tablets, GIS, data management and word processing software.
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 24-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
- Preference given to candidates enrolled in programs related to environmental science, chemistry, biology, engineering, or have expressed interest in water or wastewater treatment.
- 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 within work crew and follow daily direction.
- Follow HPTC's project agreement and safety plan.
- Be respectful of all members or crew and supervisor staff
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 shadow NPS water operators to gain site specific training
- OSHA 1910 & 1926, Operational Leadership, Water, Wastewater & Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures, vehicle operation, Job Hazard Analysis, tailgate safety meetings, seasonal orientation, first aid/CPR, park operations.
- Safety training (vehicle, trailer, situational awareness, power tools, etc.)
- Opportunity to learn trade secrets from master craftsmen
- Service members will be provided with occupational leadership and possible basic first aid training.
- Training materials will be provided to study for State Water/Wastewater Certifications.
- Cross-training opportunities in other divisions, if interested
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14
- Living Allowance of $520 a week + Additional Benefit of $200 a week (equivalent to $18/hr)
- Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority
- Park Housing Available
- Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
- Childcare Coverage if Eligible
- 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:
John Storke
Facilities Manager
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
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.