Position Summary
Build your hands-on preservation trades skills at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (KLGO) 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 Preservation and Cultural Resource NPS employees to preserve cultural resources and historic infrastructure. TTAP participants will be based at KLGO, with the option to travel to other Alaska Parks and Preserves to assist with project work if these opportunities become available. This position is a great way to gain practical, hands-on experience and the foundation for a career in historic preservation, carpentry and more.
No experience in preservation trades required! 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.
Location
Skagway, AK
Schedule
July 13, 2026 - January 8, 2027
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The project work at Klondike Goldrush National Historical Park will primarily focus on preservation of the historic Patterson-McDermott log cabin. TTAP participants will work alongside KLGO's Preservation crew to complete the first phase of cabin preservation in preparation for the move to it's location within the park. Site work will take place in Dyea, approx. 10 miles from Park headquarters in Skagway, Alaska. TTAP participants might also be tasked, at times, with assisting the Preservation crew at other historic building locations within the Park. Including exterior wall component repairs/paint on historic structures, and preservation of character defining features during a contracted roof replacement of one of the parks most iconic buildings. In addition to project work at KLGO, several historic preservation projects will be taking place across Alaska this summer, including Western Arctic National Parklands (WEAR), Bering Land Bridge National Preserve (BELA), and Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve (YUCH). There may be opportunity for the TTAP participants to travel out to these Parks to assist with projects, learn new skills, and see some unique and remote locations in Alaska. We are working with Parks right now to arrange housing and logistics for the TTAP participants to be able to travel from KLGO to these other project sites and then back to KLGO. These “field trips” would last between one and three weeks, where another Park would host the participants during the project work. More information to come as the details get worked out. KLGO: • Log cabin preservation. This summer's project work will see the removal of a non-historic dormer, disassembly of the cabin, rehabilitation through various techniques including paint removal, dutchman joinery and epoxy repairs. Where in-kind log replacement is needed participants will de-bark, shape and notch logs • Participants will work with draw knives, axes, chisels and slicks, power tools, jacks, and rigging. • Assist Park maintenance staff with other preservation projects as requested, including but not limited to: preservation projects on the Gold Rush Era Park buildings in Skagway, work on assets along the Chilkoot National Historical Trail, project work at the maintenance facility/woodshop in Skagway. Other identified preservation work would entail Cleaning/Repair/Prep/Paint exterior finishes, trim, windows and doors. As well as preservation and reinstallation of vertical clad siding and parapet wall caps. May include milling utilizing planers, table saw, and shapers. • Potential to work on the Chilkoot Trail on the Canyon City Trail Cabin would involve backcountry travel and sleeping in tents. • Potential travel to and work on preservation projects outside of KLGO, pending travel/logistics planning and permissions (see below). This work would include a variety of maintenance activities at remote cabin locations, TBD. Travel to these remote sites can include transportation via small planes, boats, hiking, and helicopters. • Working outside in all conditions: rain, wind, continual summer daylight, mosquitoes, vicinity of bears and other wildlife, construction site noise and materials, etc. • Participate in all required safety trainings and wear all required PPE. WEAR (Pending Park confirmation) • Chinking and refinishing of a remote, historic log cabin exterior. • Assisting with stabilization and replacement of deteriorated exterior components of a non-historic remote ranger cabin. BELA (Pending logistics confirmation) • Assist with lifting and moving a remote, historic shelter cabin away from an eroding river bank. YUCH (Pending Park confirmation) • Assist with a variety of preservation tasks at the Coal Creek Camp, a historic mining camp along a Yukon River tributary.
Marginal Duties
• Upkeep of field tools, including sharpening and cleaning. • Inventorying tools and equipment. • Light custodial and site management assistance includes campground maintenance, worksite clean-up/organization and groundskeeping. • Assisting members of the visiting public with directions and site information while working on projects.
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 position for 22-26 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 the designated meet-up location daily. Arrangements will be made for vehicle commuting between Skagway and Dyea, and at any other locations where needed. • Follow all safety rules and regulations and participate in ongoing safety culture of the site. • Must have the ability to pass DOI background check to receive PIV card.
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
• Strong interest in hands-on preservation work and skill development. • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. • Strong interest in Alaskan locations and remote work. • Positive Attitude
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
• Shared park housing provided • Participants will have housemates and may have roommates • Housing is located within the park • Laundry and internet availability varies by location Living accommodations at KLGO may be in Dyea, near or directly adjacent to the cabin work-site. The housing units in Dyea will have electricity, running water, utilities, a kitchen, bathrooms and showers. Dyea housing units approx. 10 miles from the town of Skagway. In Skagway, there is access to restaurants, a grocery store, library, recreation center, hiking trails etc can be found. Arrangements should be made ahead of time, with both the SCA and the Park, to determine transportation between Skagway and Dyea. Recreational opportunities in Dyea include hiking trails, biking, fishing, berry picking, rafting. Housing units in Skagway are all centrally located in the downtown historic district within short walking distance to all that Skagway has to offer. Lodging at WEAR, BELA, and YUCH would be a mix of shared park housing, and remote/primitive camping, provided at no cost. Hotels may be required during travel layovers.
Compensation
$1,440 bi-weekly living allowance (pre-tax)
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Recommended
Additional Benefits
. $1,000 for independent professional development
. On the job training in: historic preservation field work, log work, hand tools, power tools, wood work, carpentry, milling building stabilization, rigging and equipment operation.
. Formal training including A-100 Basic Aviation Safety Training(depending on the TTAP participant start-date).
. Opportunities for networking with NPS staff and preservation professionals
. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.
AmeriCorps: Not Eligible
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.
