Trail Crew Member

Hiring Organization: Randolph Mountain Club
Employment type: Full-Time
Job Location: Randolph, New Hampshire
Application Due Date: January 31, 2023

Position name: Trail Crew Member

Location: Randolph, New Hampshire

Employer Name: Randolph Mountain Club

RMC Trail Crew Member - seasonal

May 28th — mid-August, opportunity for extended employment into the Fall as part of a smaller crew

If you enjoy strenuous work in an alpine setting and don't mind spending a summer completely covered with mud, bugs, and dirt - this is the job for you! The RMC is a small, volunteer-run, non-profit organization, which maintains the densest 100-mile trail network in the nation, and our Trail Crew is a cherished component of our passionate, history-rich, community. Crew members spend the summer working in the awe-inspiring Presidential Mountain Range, with backdoor access to multiple trail heads and other local features on days off.

Position Description:

Randolph Mountain Club (RMC) Trail Crew members work as part of a tight knit crew of nine to maintain and improve the RMC’s 102 miles of trail in the rugged Northern Presidentials of New Hampshire. Crew Members spend the first few weeks patrolling and clearing the trails of blowdowns to prevent erosion. The rest of the season is spent on larger erosion control projects including construction of rock staircases, check steps, rock and log water bars, drainages, bog bridges, and other vital trail structures. Many project sites require crew members to work and camp in remote areas of the beautiful and challenging White Mountains in highly variable and adverse conditions.

Compensation:

Pay begins at $14.50/hour and is commensurate with Trail Work experience. Crew members are eligible for pay increase each subsequent year of return.

While crews often camp out near the worksite during the work week, free housing is provided in Randolph Valley at Stearns Lodge during days spent out of the woods. Each crew member is assigned a large Alaskan Trapper tent on platforms surrounding the Lodge which houses group amenities (commercial kitchen, bathrooms, showers, laundry, electricity, and common areas with a piano). Crews are also afforded a collective food stipend and Crew membership to a local CSA for fresh produce and meat.

New crew members gain a wide range of unique skills and experiences. While Crew training varies depending on projects and their needs, Prospective trainings and experiences include:

USFS Level 1 trail maintenance: brushing, blazing, clearing
Ax hanging, use, and maintenance training
USFS Ax Certification and Attendance of USFS Ax Day
Tool maintenance and care
Skills including use of rock bar, pick mattock, hazel hoe, and other hand tools
Rigging experience and training using griphoists and mechanical advantage systems
Chainsaw training and use: bucking and limbing
Rock shaping training
Dry stone masonry
Tree climbing
Opportunity for voluntary Search and Rescue participation
Networking opportunities with US Forest Service, RMC Alumni, and other trail professionals and organizations

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must be

Enthusiastic about hard work and spending time in the backcountry
Capable of performing physically demanding work for 10 hours a day
Familiar with outdoor work and activities, and willingness to work in inclement weather
Able to work closely with other team members and supervisors
At least 18 years of age
Crew Members must verify that they are vaccinated against COVID-19, barring medical or religious exemption

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous trail work experience (volunteer, AmeriCorps, or other trail organizations) highly desirable
WFR, WFA, CPR Certification, or other First Aid Certification
Strong hiking and navigation ability in steep terrain
Interest in conservation, natural resources, construction, and/or non-profit/community organizations encouraged
Knowledge of, and willingness to exercise and promote Leave No Trace practices

Schedule:

The Crew generally works four 10-hour days per week (Monday - Thursday) throughout the season. Crew members also have a midseason “break week” near the fourth of July during which members are encouraged to explore, rest, and enjoy the natural wonders of the White Mountain region.

Any applications or further questions can be addressed to trailschair@randolphmountainclub.org. Please send a resume and cover letter in your email with the subject line “RMC Trail Crew Member Application”. Hiring takes place on a rolling basis, so early applications are preferred. Further information about our organization and positions may be found at http://www.randolphmountainclub.org