Job Title:

Cornerstones Intern Adobero

Job Description and Responsibilities:

The employee will travel to various jobs to work alongside skilled Historic Preservationists in a learning and support role. The Intern will help with the preservation and restoration of historic earthen and stone structures. This position will be assisting masons in the field by mixing mortar, hauling materials, building earthen and stone walls, repairing historic structures, and documenting work.

Depending on the specific jobs, the employee will learn the following skills: Soil selection and testing, adobe making, adobe wall construction and repair, earth and lime plastering, traditional stone masonry (dry stack and mortared work), building assessments, and report writing skills.

Potential Job Sites Include: 

Stone Masonry, Adobe Repair, Plastering in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ; Foundation Repair and Adobe Wall Construction in Death Valley National Park, CA; 

Adobe Making, Adobe Ruin Stabilization in Fort Cummings, NM (BLM); 

Acequia Repair, Stone Masonry, Landscape Preservation, Rael Ranch, La Cienega, NM (BLM); 

Research and Report Writing at Cornerstones Office in Santa Fe, NM.

Time Period: Starting November 28, 2023 to mid-April 2024

Estimated Work Hours: Depending on a range of factors, we estimate that the work will average to be approximately 30 hrs/week. Weeks during travel will require 40-50 hrs/wk and weeks during office work will be 20-30 hr/wk. The weeks of December 24-30, 2023 and December 31-Jan 6, 2024 will be off. A more detailed schedule can be provided to candidates.

**This position requires the employee to be in travel for up to 4 weeks at a time!!**

Required Qualifications:

-Applicant must be 18+ years old with a valid driver’s license

-Must have a strong interest in learning traditional building methods, particularly adobe and stone masonry

-Must be able to hike into remote job sites carrying food, water, tools (up to 5 miles a day)

-Must be able to repeatedly lift up to 35lbs (adobes and stones)

-Must be willing to be in travel and to camp for certain jobs

Preferred:

-Based in Northern/Central New Mexico (although not a requirement)

-Knowledge and awareness of cultural traditions surrounding earthen architecture in the Southwest

-Experience working in backcountry settings and camping

Compensation:

-Hourly wage at $18.00 /hr

-Over time pay: 1.5x pay for any hours worked over 40/hr per week

-Paid Sick Leave–1 hour accumulated for every 30 hours worked

-Mileage reimbursement or transportation to job sites outside of Santa Fe County

-Lodging or campsite on each worksite (not included during office work and Rael Ranch project)

-Reimbursement for food expenses during travel

Application:

Due November 1st, 2024. Please send an email to issac@cstones.org with the following information: Name, Phone Number, Resume, and a Letter of Interest (3-4 paragraphs outlining your interest in the position).

In the Letter of Interest or email, please mention any skills or experience with construction, preservation, working with tools, or related work such as landscaping, trail building, experience with clay sculpture, other tactile crafts, background in history or architecture, etc.