Internship-Preservation and Facilities Management

Program Description:
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is located in Woodstock, Vermont – an area of great natural beauty alongside the Ottauquechee River in the foothills of the Green Mountains. The park opened for the first time to visitors in 1998 and is the first unit of the National Park System to focus on the theme of conservation history and the changing nature of land stewardship in America. It manages and interprets the early 19th century Billings/Rockefeller mansion and grounds complex, as well as a 500-acre forest property on the slopes of Mount Tom where hiking, nature study, and cross-country skiing are popular with visitors.

The Preservation & Facilities Intern will work with a highly-skilled team of historic preservation staff and will perform various duties in the upkeep and preservation of the historic structures and cultural landscapes at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park.
The Park includes many diverse historic structures with rich histories and unique architecture, including the Rockefeller Mansion, Bowling Alley, fallout shelters, art collection, and beautiful gardens and grounds. Additionally, the park has a ground source geothermal heating system and advanced heating and cooling systems.

The intern will experience the full range of behind-the-scenes preservation and facilities upkeep activities that are involved in managing nationally significant historic sites. The buildings and grounds staff, including the maintenance supervisor, gardener, and grounds persons will provide guidance, mentoring, and training. The intern may also be required to work independently on basic projects and assignments in addition to assisting professional tradesmen in the performance of their work.

Daily work will be performed according to prescribed plans or specific directions involving detailed methods and tools. Duties will include assisting grounds staff with clearing and maintaining gardens and historic hedges/shrubs; assisting with carpentry projects (based on skill set); assisting with special events held in the Parks by setting up tents and providing event support; cleaning, monitoring and providing quality facilities (visitor center, park offices, park buildings, restrooms, meeting spaces and outside patios and walkways); and possibly painting and helping maintain buildings.

The Park’s high operational tempo also offers numerous other opportunities for the intern to become acquainted with a wide range of park operations and management activities including special event planning, habitat management, cultural resource management and invasive species management.
The internship requires both indoor and outdoor work. The work involves frequent on-site field work requiring some physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, and uneven terrain; bending, crouching, stooping, reaching, lifting or similar activities. Outdoor work may involve extreme temperatures, humidity and exposure to biting insects.

The Preservation and Facilities Management Intern is an essential part of Park operations and will become a member of a dynamic, skilled, and motivated team. Together we will harness the power of team-work, innovation, and perseverance, to care for a very unique National Park while demonstrating the best of sustainability practices and creating outstanding visitor experiences.

Housing is not provided for this position. 

Member Benefits:

• $300 - weekly living allowance
• $1,050 – monthly housing allowance (5 allotments)
• $1,100 – roundtrip travel allowance (personal vehicle REQUIRED)
• AmeriCorps eligible - education award of approximately $2,626 upon successful completion of position and service of 675 hours or more
• Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority

*All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes*

Member Qualifications:

• Driver’s license
• Personal vehicle required
• Course work or experience in: Carpentry, Hand Tools, Landscaping, Historic Preservation, Resource Management.

Additional:
Must be eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps Member. This includes:

• Being a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States;
• Being at least 18 years or older;
• Having a high school diploma or equivalent;
• Being willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks.

Intern may be able to attend professional development workshops, lectures, and other programs related to conservation and stewardship in the Park including regional workshops in historic preservation, arbor-culture, etc.