Appalachian Mountain Club
Address:
10 City Square
Charlestown, Massachusetts
02129
White Mountain Trail Crew Leader (fall)
JOB DETAILS
Actively Recruiting: Yes
Position title: White Mountain Trail Crew Leader (fall)
Type of Position: Staff (Seasonal)
Town, City, Park, etc: White Mountains
State / Territory: New Hampshire
Benefits: Housing – Primarily Non-Camping, Industry-Recognized Certifications, Meals/Food Assistance
Project/Program Focus: Trails
ORGANIZATION/PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
"Professional Trail Crews": AMC's Trail crew participants work collectively and intensely in teams of at least four participants per work site and move from project to project to build diverse skills. They work primarily in the White Mountains on the White Mountain National Forest, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and surrounding NH State Parks. Some of the crew also travel to locations throughout New England for trail construction and repair on state lands, land trust lands, and federal lands that recently have included the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Over successive seasons, crew members are taught and gain leadership skills. By their 3rd year with the crew, participants are usually ready to become on-site project crew leaders. All crew participants and crew leaders work under the supervision of a full-time, experienced Trail Supervisor. “Teen Paid Trail Crews”: AMC partners with youth employment organizations in NH and MA to train and lead summer-long teen crews for productive and immersive skills in trail stewardship, teamwork, and leadership. AMC provides crew leadership and compensation for the teen crew participants recruited by partners at the MassHire program in Holyoke, MA. This crew works primarily on the New England National Scenic Trail and surrounding state lands. In New Hampshire, AMC trains and compensates crew leaders, and also provides all supplies and equipment for crew members that are recruited and compensated by New Hampshire’s Jobs for America’s Graduates (NH-JAG) program. These crews work on White Mountain National Forest lands, municipal lands, and land trust properties. "AMC AmeriCorps" program supports individuals who are looking to enter the field of conservation. No previous experience is required, and members go through a training period at the beginning of the season which includes trail maintenance, axe use, crosscut saw training, wilderness first aid, backcountry ethics, camping skills, and leadership training. AMC AmeriCorps Members are based out of our Camp Dodge Trails Center in Gorham, NH. Throughout the season, members work on various projects in the White Mountain region while learning technical trail work, camping, and hiking skills along the way. This program is a great way to learn trail work relates to conservation, while giving back directly to the trails in the area.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Ready to dive into epic outdoor adventures and make a positive impact on the environment? Look no further than the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) – the oldest conservation, education, and recreation organization in the USA! Our passion for the outdoors knows no bounds, and we want YOU to be a part of it. As an employee, you’ll unlock access to exciting programs, policies, and procedures that empower you to make a real difference. Join the AMC team now and embark on the journey of a lifetime!
AMC’s AmeriCorps program is a recent partnership with the Corps network. Four crews, composed of four crew members and one crew leader each, will be deployed in 2024. It is important to note that AmeriCorps Crew leaders are not AmeriCorps members, and will be paid an hourly rate. Crew leaders will begin their season several weeks before AmeriCorps members, to build leadership skills and help plan member training. Schedules can vary, but will typically be four ten hour days, Monday-Thursday. All travel time, hike time, mobilization and demobilization is paid. Crew Leaders sometimes have responsibilities that take up to five additional hours per week, such as project reporting and logistics.
Most of the season will consist of completing critical trail maintenance on AMC-maintained trails in the White Mountain National Forest, which includes but is not limited to clearing and reshaping drainage systems, trimming branches that are impeding the trail’s corridor, clearing trees that have fallen in the trail with axes and saws. Crews will also work on more technical projects such as building stone staircases, timber structures such as bridges, boardwalks or steps, trail relocation projects, and more. The season will have a mix of front country projects where crews are commuting daily from Camp Dodge, and backcountry projects where crews are stationed at their project for the duration of the week, typically camping in the backcountry.
Training opportunities can include axe and crosscut use and maintenance, chainsaw use and maintenance, Wilderness First Aid, rigging, drilling and splitting rock, heavy equipment operation, and more.
Crew Leaders are responsible for logistics, project specifications, morale, quality and quantity of work produced. AMC is committed to supporting our crew leads with training, clear expectations, consistent communication, support of a work-life balance, and presence in the field.
A $45 per week paycheck deduction covers all employee food and housing including days off if you stay on campus. A wide variety of food is available and all dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Days off housing is provided at Camp Dodge, and includes Wi-Fi, coin-op laundry, prepared meals, abundant trail access, and commanding views of the Northern Presidential Mountains.
JOB DUTIES
- Lead and support a crew of 4 AmeriCorps members to ensure a safe working environment and quality trail work in the field
- Supervise the construction of trail structures like staircases, drainages, bridges, and retaining walls.
- Layout project work and continually check specifications using levels, measuring tape, chalk lines, etc, when needed.
- Safely and effectively use hand tools like pick mattocks, rock bars, hammers, loppers, saws, axes, and pulaskis. Train and supervise crew in use.
- Safely and effectively use power tools such as drills, drivers, reciprocating saws, and generators. Train and supervise crew in use.
- Safely and effectively use rigging equipment such as winches, cable, blocks, shackles, and slings. Train and supervise crew in use.
- Work in and be prepared for nearly all-weather conditions including rain, heat, humidity and bluebird days. Ensure preparation of crew, prioritize safety of crew.
- Work in as low-impact a way as is possible. Revegetate impacted areas and worksites.
- Foster a spirit of cooperation, safety, teamwork, and responsible stewardship
- Plan menus, order food, and assist in the preparation of meals for the crew
- Serve as the primary responder/coordinator in the event of an emergency
- Communicate regularly with Trails Program staff to obtain feedback and suggestions
- Assist with maintenance of tools and equipment, and program facility as needed
- Help plan and execute training for AmeriCorps members including trail work training, chainsaw/handsaw, leave no trace, and leadership training
- Professionally represent the AMC to the public and cooperating agencies. Maintain a neat and professional appearance as much as is possible given the circumstances.
- Help keep track of AmeriCorps hours, work reports, first reports of injuries
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be a minimum of 18 years old by start date, no exceptions.
- Ability to work under varying conditions.
- Ability to set goals, prioritize tasks, assign roles to a group, assess needs and manage tasks
- Strong self-motivation and communication skills
- Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds
- Ability to carry heavy loads (50+ lbs.) for long distances over rugged terrain.
- Hand- and power-tool training and familiarity.
- Ability to drive AMC passenger vehicles and pickup trucks
- Commitment to backcountry and front country stewardship and Leave No Trace ethics
- Commitment to professionalism.
- Good judgment, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Must have safe driving record and practices, subject to verification through a driver’s license history check.
- Leadership experience
- Trail Work experience and knowledge
- Hand- and power-tool training and familiarity, preferred.
- Wilderness First Aid certification or higher
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
Benefits
- Room & Board: Dorm-style room for $45/week – meals included, too!
- Insurance: Available with positions that are 6 months or longer and when working greater than 32 hours per week
- Retirement: VOLUNTARY 403(b) with 4% matching employer contributions
- Paid Time Off: earn up to 10 days of Paid Time Off depending on length of service
- Other Team Member Perks:
- 30% discount on AMC Merchandise
- Free Annual AMC Membership
- 4 Free nights at AMC locations
- Prodeals discounts on equipment & gear and more!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please include a resume and cover letter. No phone calls or agencies please.
AMC welcomes all qualified candidates to apply and we invite the full participation of all individuals currently underrepresented in the outdoor community. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals from racially and/or ethnically diverse communities, individuals with disabilities, individuals from LGBTQ+ communities, and individuals who experience intersectionality with one or more of these identities.
The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.