Maintenance Worker (Historic Preservation)

Carpentry And Masonry Conservation

The following are common daily duties:

• Assists higher graded workers with the less complex carpentry tasks in constructing and repairing building features and components of historic structures.
• Performs painting tasks, such as the use of brushes, rollers, sprayers, preparation of surfaces, paint and material selection for a wide variety of surfaces.
• Assists masons and higher graded workers with the stabilization, maintenance, and repair of historic masonry structures and surfaces of adobe, brick, stone, concrete and block.
• Assist in maintenance, repair and stabilization of prehistoric and historic ruins and sites.
• Repair and modify wood components of historic structures.
• Performs grounds maintenance tasks using equipment such as lawn mowers, edgers, trimmers, and leaf/snow blowers.

Physical Demands: The physical effort required is considered heavy to moderate and requires lifting or handling of objects or materials up to 50 pounds unassisted and occasionally lifting or moving heavier items with the assistance of a lifting device or other workers. The incumbent is required to work while standing, stooping, bending, crouching and climbing in tiring, awkward, and uncomfortable positions, and in all manners of environmental conditions. When working from a ladder or scaffolds, work involves reaching overhead, stretching or other awkward positions. Occasionally work is performed beneath buildings where the work area is cramped and dark, or work may be done from highly elevated platforms. Working Conditions: General work is done at historic structures and cultural landscapes throughout the park. The work is of such nature that protective equipment and clothing such as hard hats, safety shoes, goggles, respirators, and ear protection are required, whether working indoors and outdoors. Some work is performed in the shop area where incumbent is exposed to moderate or high noise levels from operating machinery, saw dust in the air, fumes, and hazards associated with power equipment or preservatives. Occasionally the work may be performed outside under adverse weather conditions. Other environmental factors such as stinging and biting insects, snakes, and poisonous plants can be encountered. Assignments could involve working with hazardous materials, such as rodent nests, asbestos, and lead-based products, etc. To reduce the dangers, the incumbent is required to follow prescribed safety practices.

Area Information: This position is located at Harry S Truman National Historic Site, headquartered at Independence, Missouri. Harry S Truman NHS was established by public Law 98-32 (May 23, 1983) which authorized the National Park Service to acquire the Truman Home in Independence, Missouri and to establish the National Historic Site. Subsequent legislation added four buildings to the site in Independence and five additional buildings and five acres in Grandview, 20 miles away. Harry S Truman NHS was opened to the public on May 15, 1984, and established to preserve and interpret the former home of Harry S Truman the 33rd President of the United States and four other family related structures, for the inspiration and benefit of present and future generations. Harry S Truman NHS is located within the city limits of Independence, Missouri, 12 miles east of Kansas City and Grandview, Missouri, 20 miles south of Independence. Both are adjacent to metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri. All park sites lie within easy access of interstate 70 and 435 and 71 Highway. Combined federal acreage for the Independence and Grandview units are 11.5 acres. Major shopping facilities, transportation, and hospitals are within a ten-mile radius. Climate is temperate, ranging from an average of 95 degrees plus in the summer to an average of 35 degrees in the winter.