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Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), is seeking up to ONE Museum Collection (Harness/Tack) Member to contribute to museum collection care/preservation projects alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: October 13, 2026

End Date: April 24, 2027

*a 28-week commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park (Woodstock, VT)

The NPS 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 NPS cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park (MABI) is the only unit of the NPS in Vermont. Within its 550 acres are cultural landscapes, historic structures, and Mount Tom (the oldest continuously managed scientific forest in the United States) including 20 miles of trails. The boyhood home of George Perkins Marsh, one of America's first conservationists, and later the home of Frederick Billings, the property was given to the American people by its most recent owners, Laurance S. and Mary F. Rockefeller. The purpose of MABI is to interpret the history and evolution of conservation stewardship in America; to preserve the Mansion and surrounding lands through active stewardship; and to recognize and interpret the contributions of George Perkins Marsh, Frederick and Julia Billings, Mary Billings French, and Laurance S. and Mary F. Rockefeller.

Museum collections are considered a cultural resource as defined by NPS Directives System; MABIs museum collection reveals a high degree of historic integrity and serves as a tangible example of conservation stewardship. The museum collection consists of over 100,000 objects, primarily historic furnishings, but also extensive 19th and 20th century fine art (Hudson River School) as well as mementoes and textiles belonging to the Billings and Rockefeller families. It is a varied collection original to the site, thus integral to the historic structures and reflective of the continuity of inheritance and stewardship.

For more information about this park, visit the parks website.

About the area:

Woodstock, VT, a picturesque New England village including a historic downtown surrounded by farms and forests with an abundance of hiking trails and recreational opportunities. Nearby communities in the state include Quechee and White River Junction to the East, Pomfret to the North, Hartland and Windsor to the South, Bridgewater and Rutland to the West. Larger communities include Lebanon, NH and Claremont, NH, both of which have all standard services and amenities. Hanover, NH, home of Dartmouth College, is a college town just north of Lebanon with a variety of amenities. Boston is 2.5 hours from Cornish, while Montreal, Quebec, is just over 3 hours away. New York City is approximately 5 hours away and can also be reached by Amtrak or luxury coach bus service.

Having a personal vehicle is not required but is highly recommended for commuting and to access groceries and other needs on your days off. Public transportation and ride share are not available or dependable.

Temperatures in the area range from -10 F to +40 F in the winter and +50 F to +95 F in the summer, though the heat index/humidity raises the real feel. Precipitation is approximately 35 inches annually.

Position Overview:

This position is one of two being recruited for a museum collection youth program at the co-managed NPS units of MABI and Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park (SAGA) in Cornish, NH. This position will primarily (80%) be duty stationed at MABI in Woodstock, VT.

The critical project for this position is to care for/preserve the harness and tack collection. Objects are related to animal husbandry, animal tack, and other accessories/components for animal-powered vehicles and furnishings from a typical 19th century stable. Picking up where the last position stopped, this position will continue 100% inventory, assess condition (compare to previous descriptions and identify professional conservation treatment), perform light cleaning (remove significant surface dirt/dust), photograph, and rehouse nonarchival materials. If completed, this position can start rehousing beyond the nonarchival materials, perhaps estimating and scoping more solutions.

There are common condition issues found so far including rodent evidence and mold. Rodent evidence can be old and is unsurprising for the building. When the NPS converted the Stable to a visitor center in 1998-1999, the harness and tack collection relocated to its current storage space in the Woodshed. Built between 1875-76 to accommodate Frederick Billings' forestry operations, timber products were processed in the adjoining yard then stored in the Woodshed which continued to be used for forestry until the 1950s. It was ultimately rehabilitated by the NPS in 2008 so it could house animal-powered vehicles, harness, and tack in MABIs museum collection. It was not built to be rodent proof, but recent efforts to trap rodents in the fall prevent them from making nests in the winter. (See Provided Training/Orientation below to understand the safety measures in place.) It also is not climate controlled. The space is tightly packed so it is important to be highly aware of surroundings.

To provide variety, other projects include

• Assist the other Member being recruited for a museum collection youth program at SAGA in Cornish, NH.
• Pickup objects from conservators then complete post-treatment condition reports and reinstallation (as applicable) including drawings/engravings, furniture, gilded frames, and watercolors.
• Seasonal closing/winterization of museum spaces (including historic structures) in November and opening in April/May

The duties are active, and conditions can change frequently; carrying, climbing (ladders/stairs), crouching, dexterity, feeling, handling, hearing, hiking, kneeling, lifting (up to 25 pounds without assistance), reaching, seeing, sitting, standing, stooping, walking. MABIs museum collection is exhibited and stored in historic structures with varying climate controls that are also throughout a 1.2-mile graded loop on gravel roads.

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 conservation fields, shadowing different work groups, special events; if opportunities of interest arise and the Members schedule allows, it will be encouraged. The Member can expect to connect with a cohort of other emerging professionals at MABI and SAGA. On a routine basis (frequency is TBD as the term is during the park's offseason), the Member is expected to participate in sessions for community building with their peers, networking, and professional development.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 7:30 am – 4 pm, excluding Federal holidays, with some flexibility around beginning and end time depending on operations needs. Telework is subject to approval under current NPS policy.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $740/week (pre-tax) to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the NPS. ACE members will have access to a taxed $1,000/month reimbursement (for a total of 6.5 months).

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to (NTE) $1,000 in taxed reimbursable funds to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Travel Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to (NTE) $850 in reimbursable funds to be used for eligible travel 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. Specific training may include agency/site orientation, automated catalog systems/cataloging, formal/informal interpretation, historical overview, museum environmental monitoring, museum housekeeping, museum integrated pest management, object handling, object packing/rehousing, and safety.

As part of onboarding, there is a Safety and Environmental Orientation which includes review of PPE Program and Respiratory Protection program. We also have Job Hazard Analysis for handling dead rodents and mold. PPE for this project includes gloves, N95 masks, and vacuum bags with HEPA filters. In addition to oversight from MABI, the regional office contracted a conservator with a specialization in preventive care that can provide more guidance on cleaning and rehousing.

Qualifications

Required:

• Deep interest in learning, or a passion for museum collections care and management, is a must!
• Members must be a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident.
• 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, detail-oriented, contributing Member of a group.
• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with Windows-based platforms (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.).
• Excellent organizational, research, communication, and writing skills
• Curiosity about, and enthusiasm for, working with museum collections.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record are preferred (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 pass required background screening for Personal Identification Verification (PIV) card authorization, including information about previous residences, education, positions, and fingerprinting.
• 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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit the ACE website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a degree in museum collections management, museum studies, public history, cultural resource management, or a related field, and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as art history, exhibit design, cataloging, and material culture.
• Knowledge and interest in the areas of best practices in museum collections management, current trends in museum interpretation, art history, and American history.
• Ability and willingness to adapt to operational needs, learn new skills, work hands-on with a variety of materials, and work in a variety of non-controlled and sometimes physically demanding environments with the museum collection to perform routine cleaning and pest monitoring duties. You will be working with museum pests, dirt, and dust.
• Experience or interest in public speaking and communicating with/writing for the general public.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: This is a fast-paced and often active position. This position frequently shifts from active to sedentary on a daily basis. Ability to traverse uneven terrain – museum collections are exhibited or stored in five historic structures throughout a 1.2-mile graded loop on gravel roads. Regular duties require frequent walking/hiking, carrying, reaching with arms and hands on flat surfaces or while on ladders, sitting, standing, using hands to feel or handle. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools beyond computer keyboard/mouse including other office equipment and specialized museum collections handling tools or equipment. Duties will require work outdoors and/or in un-heated/un-air-conditioned historical structures throughout the year; environments may include temperature extremes, uneven floors, frequent stair climbing and walking, accessing crawl spaces (expect to bend, crouch, kneel, or stoop), and traversing uneven/unpaved grounds. Work may include contact with dust, dirt, pollen, and grime, and/or the use of approved solutions and chemicals. While performing regular duties, Member may encounter a variety of live or dead plants, animals, and insects, and their droppings, and may include mice, bats, spiders, and stinging or biting insects.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves unassisted up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; MABIs museum collection is exhibited and stored in historic structures with varying climate controls – it is fair to expect extremes of humidity and cold depending on the season. Assigned workstation is an indoor, office environment; air quality is good, and temperature can be manipulated.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE Member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, uneven terrain, non-climate controlled ...