Aztec Ruins National Monument- Traditional Trades Advancement Program Individual Placement

Title:  Aztec Ruins National Monument- ALCC Traditional Trades Advancement Program Individual Placement

Dates:  June 2024-November 2024

Stipend: $600 weekly living stipend + $120 weekly housing allowance

Term: 26 weeks – Full time (40 hours a week)

Reports To:  National Park Service - Aztec Ruins National Monument

Location: 725 Ruins Rd, Aztec NM 87410

Status: 900-hour AmeriCorp Service Term

Housing: NO

Open Positions: 2

Benefits:  AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,447.50 after successful completion of service term, professional development funds available and paid professional development opportunity to travel to Historic Preservation Fundamentals Training in Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming (July 1-5, 2024). Public Land Corp Hiring Authority Eligible. 

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps’ (ALCC) Mission

It is the mission of the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps to "lead our nations back to cultural and ecological well being." The Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps has offices in Acoma, Albuquerque, Gallup (Navajo Nation), Zuni, and Hopi. Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps serves local Indigenous communities in the regions we operate. 

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

Indian Youth Service Corps Mission:

The Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) is a new Department of Interior (DOI) program within the Public Land Corps initiative to provide opportunities for Native American youth to engage in public service, perform meaningful conservation projects on federal and Tribal lands, and stimulate interest in conservation-related careers. The IYSC is designed to be a collaborative program that provides shared benefits to program participants, tribes, federal and tribal land partners, and to the general public.

The Historic Preservation Training Center’s Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) is excited to offer an IYSC component to its program to provide indigenous youth quality hands-on experience in the preservation and maintenance of historic resources of cultural importance to indigenous peoples on National Park Service sites.

National Park Service Mission:

Our Mission The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

The National Park Service and Historic Preservation Training Center are seeking individuals to participate in the Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) at Aztec Ruins National Monument. Members will receive introductory training in preservation masonry and will develop an understanding of historic resource stewardship while helping to preserve our nation’s historic resources. This program provides participants with marketable skills and excellent exposure to the historic preservation career field within the NPS as well as the private sector.

NPS - Aztec Ruins National Monument Overview

From the late 1000s to the late 1200s, people known as ancestral Puebloans planned and built this settlement along the Animas River. It included large public buildings, smaller structures, earthworks, and ceremonial buildings. Aztec's extended community rivaled Chaco Canyon, 55 miles south, which flourished between 850 and 1130 CE (Common Era). At first, Aztec may have been a place that supported Chacoan influenced activities, but later may have been a center in its own right as Chaco Canyon's regional influence waned.

The self-guided visitor trail though Aztec Ruins winds through an ancestral Pueblo great house that was once the center of a large regional community. The half-mile trail will take you through a restored Great Kiva, or ceremonial structure, and through original rooms with timber roofs still intact. At it's height, Aztec West had over 400 rooms and was three stories high. A large percentage of the original structure is still in place.

TTAP Aztec Ruins National Monument Individual Placements Overview:

This internship position will work primarily with the historic preservation masonry team to focus on the preservation of Aztec Ruins National Monument. This location is Northern New Mexico within the town of Aztec, New Mexico.

The ancestral dwellings date back from the late 1000s to the late 1200s, people known as the ancestral Puebloans planned and built this settlement. It included large public buildings, smaller structures, earthworks, and ceremonial buildings. The high integrity and importance of the site were globally recognized in 1987 when Aztec Ruins National Monument, along with Chaco Culture National Historical Park, were together designated as a World Heritage Site.

Essential functions and responsibilities:

Masonry focused projects that include: dry stone masonry, wet stone masonry, stone shaping, and plastering. General maintenance on the monument grounds and Great Kiva.

1) General Ruins preservation work

· Work with Historic Preservation Division crew to repoint and repair masonry at the Aztec ruins

· Repointing / tuck pointing using natural and amended mortar

· Replacement of stone as needed

· Documentation of work - pictures and notes/reports

2) General Maintenance of Ruins

· Vegetation removal

· Water run-off management

· Litter clean-up

· Trail maintenance

· Fill and soil Stabilization

3) Great Kiva Crack repair

· Remove cracked plaster

· Reset and replace defective stone

· Plastering

· Painting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Any experience or education in relative fields (not required)

Minimum requirements:

• Must have a valid drivers license
• Must pass required background checks 
• Must be ages 18-30, 35 if Veteran honorably discharged
• Must have personal vehicle to commute and/or to access local stores/facilities – closest town: Flagstaff, AZ. 
• Moderate to heavy physical effort is required for this position, including, lifting, or handling of objects over 50lbs using proper techniques.
• Standing or kneeling for long periods and will be required to climb ladders, work from scaffolding or platforms, work on uneven or angled surfaces such as a roof, and/or be able to work in confined spaces.
• Ability to work 8–10-hour days in various conditions and/or “hitch schedule” 
• Willingness to learn and work as part of a team.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Positive Attitude

• Seeking committed individuals

Individuals from associated Pueblos/Tribes/Communities of Aztec Ruins National Monument  encouraged to apply.

To apply, please submit an updated resume and letter of interest/cover letter along with your online application.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ancestral Lands Individual Placements Program Coordinator, Kiana Etsate-Gashytewa at kiana@conservationlegacy.org