Landscape Stewardship Corps (LSC) – Horticulture & Arboriculture Member at Natchez National Historical Park (NATC)

Summary

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), is seeking one Landscape Stewardship Corps (LSC) member to contribute to historic landscape preservation projects at Natchez National Historical Park.

The member will work alongside the park gardener and maintenance staff to develop practical skills in horticulture, arboriculture, and cultural landscape stewardship while maintaining the historic gardens and grounds at Melrose.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: January 4, 2027Estimated End Date: July 3, 2027A 26-week minimum commitment is required.

Location Details/Description

Natchez National Historical Park (NATC) is located entirely within Natchez, Mississippi, and preserves significant historic and cultural resources associated with the region's history. The park encompasses several historic sites, including Melrose, Forks of the Road, Fort Rosalie, the William Johnson House, and the downtown Visitor Center.

This position will primarily focus on the historic gardens and grounds at Melrose, a significant historic property featuring culturally important ornamental plantings and landscape features. The member will gain hands-on experience caring for historic gardens while learning how horticultural practices contribute to the long-term preservation of cultural landscapes.

For more information about Natchez National Historical Park, please visit the National Park Service website.

Position Overview

The LSC member will work alongside the park gardener and maintenance staff to develop practical skills in horticulture, arboriculture, and historic landscape preservation. Through supervised fieldwork and daily mentorship, the member will learn how to maintain culturally significant plantings and grounds while understanding the importance of preserving the historic character of the landscape.

The member's primary assignment will focus on horticulture and cultural landscape stewardship. However, opportunities to gain experience in historic infrastructure preservation may be available when appropriate.

Duties may include:

• Planting, pruning, mulching, watering, and weeding historic gardens and landscaped grounds.
• Preparing soil and maintaining turf areas, planting beds, and other landscape features.
• Identifying and removing invasive or undesirable vegetation.
• Providing seasonal care for historic ornamental plantings, including camellias, azaleas, cherry laurels, and other shrubs and trees.
• Participating in supervised arboriculture activities, including pruning and small-tree care.
• Learning plant identification, recognizing plant health concerns, and applying appropriate horticultural maintenance practices.

The member will develop foundational skills in tool safety, plant identification, planting techniques, pruning, soil preparation, and routine landscape maintenance. As their skills progress, they will gain experience with additional horticultural practices and seasonal landscape stewardship.

This individual placement is intended to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies while providing opportunities to network with experienced professionals. The member will gain practical experience applicable to careers in horticulture, arboriculture, grounds maintenance, cultural landscape preservation, and public land stewardship.

Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week). Specific work hours and days will be determined by the park.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: ACE members are expected to contribute approximately 40 hours per week and will receive a living allowance of $720/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed biweekly.

Housing: Housing is not provided. Members are responsible for securing their own housing accommodations.

Training Travel Reimbursement: Members will receive up to $1,500 in training travel reimbursement to support eligible travel expenses associated with required training. Specific reimbursement procedures and eligible expenses will be communicated by ACE staff.

Professional Development Stipend: Members will receive a $1,000 professional development stipend to support career development and training opportunities during their term of service. Additional details regarding eligible expenses and disbursement will be provided by ACE staff.

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, 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-hour 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.

Qualifications

Required:

• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to work independently 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). Members must be 21 or older to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and pass the required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE members must complete biweekly timesheets, beginning-of-term feedback forms, end-of-term evaluations, and, for longer terms, a midterm evaluation.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• Must meet applicable Public Land Corps eligibility requirements.

Preferred:

• Applicants who hold or are pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
• Interest in historic preservation, traditional trades, carpentry, construction, or building maintenance.
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively and learn from experienced staff.
• Interest in historic structures, preservation techniques, and cultural resource stewardship.
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and safely use hand and power tools.
• Enthusiasm for developing practical skills and exploring careers in historic preservation, traditional trades, and public land management.

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 is required for the use of various tools, computer keyboards/mice, and other equipment. May require stooping, kneeling, climbing stairs or ladders, and crouching.
• 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 15 pounds, with the ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Work will take place around historic structures and may include both indoor and outdoor preservation maintenance activities. Members should expect exposure to changing weather conditions, varying temperatures, and seasonal environmental conditions.
• Noise Environment: May involve moderate to high noise levels from hand and power tools, as well as moderate noise levels in indoor workspaces.
• 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, potentially dangerous wildlife, and poor air quality due to wildfires. 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. 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 ACE's online application page for this position on our 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 ACE EPIC NPS 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.