National Trails Landscape Architect

National Trails Landscape Architect

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Trails Office, is seeking 1 member to contribute to landscape architecture and signage projects alongside National Park Service staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: January 2026

Estimated End Date: January 2027

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required.*

Location Details/Description: NPS Office located at the National Park Service Building in Santa Fe, NM.

National Trails administers ten national historic trails and one historic highway that, combined, stretch for more than 29,000 miles across 24 states. The National Trails Office works with a diversity of partners to protect, develop, and promote these special places. Their staff of interdisciplinary experts assist community groups, private landowners, nonprofit organizations, tribes, and federal, state, county, and local agencies with trail and site planning and design, on-the-ground trail mapping, educational opportunities, and identifying resources.

For more information about the National Trails Office (NTIR) based out of Santa Fe, NM, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview:

The anticipated applicant will play a vital role in supporting this mission by working with the NTIR Design and Development Team on a wide range of projects focused on the preservation and development of national historic trails for public use. Key responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with NTIR and project partners on National Historic Trail design and development, including conceptual and schematic level site and trail planning, regional scale planning, preparation of design details, and creation of perspective images.
• Coordinating with a wide range of project partners, such as municipalities, state and federal agencies, private landowners, and other stakeholders, in support of trail planning, design, and development.
• Assisting trail partners and NTIR with the development and implementation of roadway, pedestrian, and site signage plans for national historic trails.
• Participating in site visits and project meetings related to trail planning, design, and development.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different professional fields and shadowing different NTIR Teams.

Schedule: The position is primarily on-site at the NPS Office located at the National Park Service Building in Santa Fe, NM. 40 hours a week. Flexible schedule within Mon-Fri, 8:30am - 5:00pm (MT).

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

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 (~16 weeks), 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 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing Allowance: ACE members will be provided a monthly housing reimbursement up to $1,200 a month, not to exceed $14,400 in total.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $700 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, 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+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Landscape Architecture degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Landscape Design.
• Knowledge and experience using: Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe PDF, ARCGIS Pro, ARCGIS Online, Microsoft Word.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, and/or crouch.
• 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 10 lbs., ability to move up to 30 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position requires 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, and potentially dangerous wildlife. 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 or ACE. 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 Western Member Manager, Sabrina Caruso.

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.