Position Title: Tuzigoot/Montezuma Castle - Traditional Trades Individual Placement – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps
Site Location: 25 Tuzigoot Road, Clarkdale, AZ 86324
Tuzigoot/Montezuma Castle National Monuments
Terms of Service:
Start Date: 10/27/2025End Date: 04/24/2026AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hour
Purpose:
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.
The National Park Service (NPS) and Historic Preservation Training Center are seeking individuals to participate in the Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) at Tuzigoot/Montezuma Castle National Monuments. These AmeriCorps position(s) 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 AmeriCorps program provides participants with marketable skills and excellent exposure to the historic preservation career field within the NPS as well as the private sector.
The AmeriCorps position(s) will be focused on primarily masonry-based stabilization projects at Tuzigoot Pueblo and the Swallet Cave site requiring dry stone masonry, wet stone masonry, stone shaping, re-pointing, preparing amended and earthen mortar mixes. The resulting work will result in the sites remaining in good condition. This AmeriCorps position(s) will work with archeologists and preservation masons on the Stabilization Crew to preserve Ancestral Puebloan sites at Tuzigoot and Montezuma Castle National Monuments. This AmeriCorps program provides participants with marketable skills and excellent exposure to the historic preservation career fields within the NPS as well as the private sector.
Description of Duties:
Masonry focused projects requiring dry stone masonry, wet stone masonry, stone shaping, re-pointing, preparing amended and earthen mortar mixes. Major preservation projects this year include:
Stabilization and Preservation of Tuzigoot Pueblo. This project will address deferred maintenance on Tuzigoot Pueblo, a per-contact hilltop pueblo. The site represents one of the primary and best documented Southern Sinagua site in the Verde Valley, AZ. Essential functions and responsibilities: Preparing mortar mixturesRemoval of historic stabilization mortarsResetting loose cap and mid-wall masonryReplacing deteriorated masonry wall surfacesDrain repair and contouring to improve drainageRoom backfill to protect subsurface depositsSite Documentation Stabilization and Preservation of the Swallet Cave Site: This project will repair and stabilize the Swallet Cave Site at Montezuma Well, a detached unit of Montezuma Castle National Monument. The Swallet Cave Site is located at the base of the Well and is the only formally documented site at Montezuma Well. Essential functions and responsibilities: Preparing mortar mixturesRemoval of historic stabilization mortarsResetting loose cap and mid-wall masonryReplacing deteriorated masonry wall surfacesDrain repair and contouring to improve drainageRoom backfill to protect subsurface depositsSite Documentation Assist with Stabilization and Preservation of Cultural Sites in the Prescott NF: Essential functions and responsibilities: Preparing mortar mixturesRemoval of historic stabilization mortarsResetting loose cap and mid-wall masonryReplacing deteriorated masonry wall surfacesDrain repair and contouring to improve drainageRoom backfill to protect subsurface deposits
Qualifications:
United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alienAt least 18 years of age up to 30 years old. Up to 35 if a military veteran. Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education awardAgrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.Valid Driver's LicensePositive Attitude Ability to work 10 hour days in heat and sunAbility to hike rough, uneven terrain,Willingness to learn and work as part of a teamAbility to follow oral and written instructionsNo prior experience to Historic Preservation needed
Physical Requirements:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:
Typically, this position is expected to serve 10/27/2025 to 04/24/2026, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps serviceMember may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
Orientation and Training:
Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.Member will receive an orientation on Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Individual Placement Program - responsibilities and requirements of the program.Member will receive training with the National Park Service (NPS) - Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) on basic fundamental principles of Historic PreservationMember will receive training on Defensive Driving via Conservation LegacyMember has $1,000 to utilize for professional development opportunities.
Benefits:
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50Living Allowance of $600 per week.Additional Benefit of $120 per week.Paid Professional Development Opportunities Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority EligibleHealthcare Coverage if EligibleLoan forbearance if EligibleInterest Payments if Eligible
Evaluation and Reporting:
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.
Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.
Supervisor Name and Contact Information:
Ancestral Lands IP Contact information: Teiyanknei Chee tchee@conservationlegacy.org Tuzigoot/Montezuma Castle National Monument Contact information: Lucas Hoedl lucas_hoedl@nps.gov
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. 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.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.