Massachusetts Corps - Historic Preservation Crew

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Student Conservation Association

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Braintree, MA, United States

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Position Summary

Are you looking for the opportunity to learn hands-on preservation skills while building your professional resume and serving in State and National Parks? The 2026 Historic Preservation Corps is a unique program based in Massachusetts that offers participants training and experience in several historic preservation and maintenance trades including carpentry, window restoration, historic trail-side structure restoration, masonry, landscaping, painting, and more! Boston National Historical Park, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Student Conservation Association have partnered together to create an unforgettable 10-month experience for young adults, age 18 - 30 (35 for veterans), in the Greater Boston area.

Location

Braintree, MA

Greater Boston, MA

Schedule

February 9, 2026 - December 11, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Program Description:

The MA Historic Preservation Corps is a 10-month program that runs February 9 through December 11, 2026. The program's home base is located in Braintree, MA and project sites are scattered throughout the Greater Boston area and across the commonwealth. Training and projects aim to address historic preservation and maintenance needs on Public Lands in Massachusetts. This position is primarily hands-on and projects are often labor intensive. Before applying, applicants are encouraged to reflect on the concept of Service. This is an AmeriCorps position - not a typical job - and requires a commitment to not only serving at public lands and historic sites but also committing to a team and the community experience. Members of the Historic Preservation Corps should expect to meet regularly, reflect on their service, and contribute to the team-building process.

Schedule: Corps members serve Monday – Friday, typically 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM. The daily schedule can change depending on the project location. Members can expect to serve 40-45 hours weekly with federal holidays off. This is a 1700-hour AmeriCorps position and corps members must reach that target in order to successfully complete the program. Members serve daily in small crews of four at the program's Shop, the Boston Harbor Islands, the Charlestown Navy Yard or project sites in central or Western Massachusetts. Some projects will require members to spend up to 4 consecutive nights away from home at a project site at some point during the program. Housing and food budget will be provided for projects away from home that require overnight stays. Program

Benefits:

  • $1200 bi-weekly living allowance, before taxes
  • $500 one-time travel/commuting allowance
  • $7395 Segal Education Award at the end of completed service term
  • SNAP eligibility up to $250 per month plus various discounts available to EBT card holders
  • Health insurance and Childcare assistance available
  • Professional Certifications including OSHA 10, Wilderness First Aid, Lead Safe Renovator
  • Preservation training in carpentry, masonry, landscaping, trailside structure restoration, and more!
  • The opportunity to serve in State and National Parks in Boston and throughout Massachusetts
  • Networking opportunities with preservation professionals with state parks, NPS, and nonprofits across Massachusetts.

Training Opportunities:

  • OSHA 10 - General Industry
  • Lead Safe Renovator
  • Wilderness First Aid & CPR
  • Foundations of Historic Preservation (theory and documentation)

• Masonry & Repointing • Carpentry & Shop basics

  • Window Restoration
  • Lifts, ladders, and working at heights
  • Leadership, resume building, and other professional development opportunities

Marginal Duties

  • Teleservice as make-up hours (including archives and gravestone transcribing, creating land acknowledgements, and project site research)
  • Trail clean-up and park volunteer days

Required Qualifications

  • Ability to commute to specified locations in Boston daily
  • Ability to serve with others on a team
  • Interest in historic preservation and building skills in preservation maintenance; including carpentry, painting, masonry, window restoration, and other preservation maintenance tasks
  • Ability to complete some project paperwork including project reports, output logs, and tool inventory
  • Must be comfortable learning how to use hand tools and power tools to complete projects
  • 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 adders or scaffolding, and bend, stoop, climb, and work in awkward positions.
  • Must be able to serve in diverse situations and various outdoor environments

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.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

No housing provided; commuting required; members responsible for own housing

Compensation

  • $1200 bi-weekly living allowance, before taxes
  • $500 one-time travel/commuting allowance
  • $7395 Segal Education Award at the end of completed service term
  • SNAP eligibility up to $250 per month plus various discounts available to EBT card holders
  • Health insurance and Childcare assistance available

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits

Defensive Drive Training

First Aid/CPR

Wilderness First Aid Training

Health Insurance

AmeriCorps: Eligible/Required

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.