Internships - Historic Preservation Intern

Conservation Begins Here

 

Historic Preservation Participant 

 

 

 

Position Summary 

The purpose of the position is to perform work on conventional / typical preservation projects for a variety of historic structures. This entails the full gamut of types, and includes some new construction, major restoration or rehabilitation, complete stabilization, significant alteration, etc. All work will be completed under the supervision of higher skilled, journeyman level, National Park Service employees from Catoctin Mountain Park. The majority of this work will focus on the historic cabin camps that were constructed in the 1930’s by the WPA and the CCC. Flexible start date.

 

Schedule 

June 23, 2025 - February 26, 2026

 

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Carpentry/Woodworking: Reconstructs, restores, or rehabilitates wood structures by performing work on such elements as structural framing rafters, doors, windows, floors, staircases, trusses and beams, interior and exterior trim, and roofing where accuracy, spacing and fit are essential and structural soundness is important. Selects appropriate materials and uses instruments and tools such as rulers, try squares, levels, transits, framing hammers and traditional carpentry tools. Preservation work may require replication of ancient and highly skilled forms of craftsmanship using specialized tools. Perform work on historic structures that includes (but is not limited to) carpentry, such as the restoration of a building or portion thereof to a specific period of time; wood crafting, such as the reproduction of historic trim and moldings or the technically complex work of constructing decorative finish work; timber framing and log work such as the reproduction of hand-hewed timbers or log replacement in roofs or walls; roofing which requires the reproduction of historic roofing materials in composition, shape, color, and texture, including wood shingles and shakes, slate, ceramic, or asphalt, and their installation. The incumbent computes curves, arcs, tangents, and possess advanced knowledge of carpentry skills utilizing accepted trade methods and techniques. Incumbent must have the ability to read, interpret and apply building plans, specifications, blueprints, sketches, working drawings and building codes. Masonry: Position repairs, reconstructs, restores, or rehabilitates masonry structures by performing work such as stabilizing or constructing foundations, repainting walls, chimneys, fireplaces, and other building elements and stabilizing or restoring engineered structures such as bridges, stone retaining walls, using a combination of modern and historic techniques. Executes masonry work to replace missing or deteriorated mortar and loose stone work. Forms, pours and finishes concrete work in accordance with accepted trade practices. Must be able to use a variety of hand and power tools such as brick or napping hammer, brick or skill saw in cutting and shaping brick and axe, pick, chisel, and hammer in cutting or shaping stone. The incumbent must be able to select appropriate brick or stone to match historic materials, repointing using historic tools to reproduce unique tooling marks, selection and preparation of mortars to match historic mortars in color, texture, and composition; plastering to match historic plasters used on interior and exterior walls; and painting, including surface preparation, and mixing of paints to approximate color and texture of historic paints.

 

Marginal Duties 

Assists with the inspection of historic structures/sites/landscapes onsite to determine physical condition and the type and amount of maintenance required to maintain them in the proper condition. Makes technical recommendations to higher-level specialists and professionals regarding type of preservation treatment required to maintain ongoing and/or preventative maintenance. Other general craft skills that may be required include reproduction of historic hardware and other architectural metals, use of epoxies or other wood consolidants, and similar skills needed to preserve, repair, restore, or reconstruct the features of structures listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Required Qualifications 

Valid Drivers License Required Clean driving record and willingness to operate government vehicles including trucks. Interest in historic preservation Ability to work outside Ability to lift and carry weight Other general craft skills that may be required include: reproduction of historic hardware and other architectural metals, use of epoxies or other wood consolidants, and similar skills needed to preserve, repair, restore, or reconstruct the features of structures listed on or eligible for the