Appalachian Mountain Club
Address:
10 City Square
Charlestown, Massachusetts
02129
Assistant Trail Crew Leader - Southern New England
JOB DETAILS
Actively Recruiting: Yes
Position title: Assistant Trail Crew Leader - Southern New England
Type of Position: Crew Leader
Town, City, Park, etc: Noble View Outdoor Center
State / Territory: Massachusetts
Benefits: Housing – Primarily Camping, 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
SEASON DATES: April 2024 - October 2024
Dates can be flexible, but preference is given to candidates who can work full season.
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts! Join the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) in our mission to protect the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Appalachian region, ongoing since 1876. Our values encompass diversity, inclusivity, trust, and respect for the environment. As an employee, you'll gain access to enriching programs, policies, and procedures that enable you to drive real change. If you're ready to explore, protect, and create memories within a dynamic community, apply now be a part of the AMC team!
AMC is home to the oldest paid trail crew in the country, founded in 1919. Our 2024 season is brimming with technical trail work in front-country and backcountry locations throughout the beautiful and historic region. We will field two Southern New England Trail Crews in 2024, with Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leads (ACLs) getting a head start in spring to work together and build skills and expectations. The ACL shares in leadership of a five-person crew with the Crew Lead.
2024’s work in Massachusetts includes several all-persons trail construction projects. Our Southern New England crews will be using a variety of machinery including excavators, skid steers, compactors, and power wheelbarrows to build 5-foot-wide surfaced trails that will provide all persons’ access to green spaces throughout the state. There is also a variety of more traditional trail crew work with hand tools, building structures and improving treadway on natural surfaced trails. 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. Crews are well-supported with one Field Coordinator per crew.
Crew Leaders and ACLs are responsible for logistics, project specifications, morale, quality and quantity of work produced. The division of labor is typically worked out between co-lead pairs, with the ACL in a supporting role. 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.
Days off housing is provided at AMC's Noble View Facility in Russell, MA, and includes wifi, a kitchen facility, common areas, trail access, and fellowship with other AMC seasonal employees. Crews work ten-hour days, and work four days on, three days off, Monday through Thursday, with rare exception. All travel time, hike time, mobilization and demobilization are paid.
JOB DUTIES
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING AT AMC
- With Crew Lead, coordinate and support crew members to ensure a safe working environment and quality trail work in the field
- With Field Coordinator and Crew Lead, supervise the construction of machine-built all persons trails.
- Operate excavators, skid steers, and other machinery. AMC will provide paid time and pay for Crew Leaders and ACLs to get MA hoisting license, and provide on the job training in machine operation.
- 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
- Ability to drive AMC passenger vehicles and pickup trucks
- Professionally represent the AMC to the public and cooperating agencies. Maintain a neat and professional appearance as much as is possible given the circumstances.
REQUIREMENTS
WHAT AMC IS LOOKING FOR
- Must be a minimum of 18 years old by start date, no exceptions
- Ability and desire to live and work outdoors for extended periods of time
- Ability to work under varying weather conditions
- Ability to carry heavy loads (50+ lbs.) for long distances over rugged terrain
- Commitment to backcountry stewardship and Leave No Trace ethics
- Commitment to professionalism
- Good judgment, communication, and problem-solving skills
- In order to drive, 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
- Wilderness First Aid certification or higher
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
Benefits
- Room & Board: Onsite housing for FREE – meals included, too!
- Insurance: Available with positions that are 6 months or longer and when working greater than 30 hours per week
- Retirement: Voluntary 403(b) Contribution
- Paid Time Off: earn up to 10 days of paid earned time 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
HOW TO APPLY AT AMC
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.