Preserve Montana Trades Corps

Position Summary

Build your hands-on preservation trades skills with the Preserve Montana Trades Corps through projects addressing a range of preservation needs. Working with Preserve Montana, crew members will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with preservation professionals to develop their skills in several historic trades, including window restoration, carpentry, masonry, log work, and preservation maintenance. Preserve Montana is a non-profit organization protecting Montana's historic places, traditional landscapes, and cultural heritage through hands-on trainings and restoration projects, documentation, community engagement, and advocacy.

Location

Helena, MT

Schedule

June 2, 2025 - August 8, 2025

Application deadline:

April 4

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The ideal candidate is excited about hands-on trades work and should be able to demonstrate or discuss their interest in the preservation field. Crew members must be able to commit to the position from June 2 – August 8, with weekends and federal holidays off. Position is based in Helena, MT, but members can expect to be traveling up to 75% of the time. Members must be willing to camp in the outdoors up to a week at a time.

Skills training & support may include the following:

• Historic Preservation Fundamentals

• Window restoration

• Cedar shingle installation

• Carpentry

• Painting techniques and historic finishes

• Masonry basics

• Log building repair

• Building documentation and/or condition assessment

• OSHA 10 and Lead Renovation, Repair, & Paint certification

• General preservation maintenance

Position Benefits:

• $1200 bi-weekly living allowance

• $650 Travel Allowance to/from program home base in Helena, MT

• Dorm-style housing and camping gear provided for entirety of program

• Transportation during out-of-town projects and between project sites

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

Required Qualifications

• Strong interest in history, preservation, preservation trades, archaeology, museum studies, or related fields. Experience or education in any of these fields is not required!

• Age restrictions: 18 – 29 years, possess a high school diploma

• Must be able to commit to project dates: June 2 – August 1, 2025

• Physical effort is heavy to moderate for this position and requires occasional lifting or handling of objects or materials up to 50 lbs, unassisted, following proper lifting procedures to avoid injury. Frequently required to stand while working, climb ladders or scaffolding, and bend, stoop, climb, and work in awkward positions

• Willing to use hand and power tools to complete projects • Must be willing to camp in the outdoors up to a week at a time

Preferred Qualifications

• Montana residents encouraged!

• Previous experience working on a team to complete hands-on projects.

• Personal vehicle recommended for personal travel and exploring Montana.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Dorm-style rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom at local community college in Helena, MT

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.