Contact Name: Isaac Alexandre-Leach
Company/Organization/Agency: Green Mountain Club
Address: 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Rd., Waterbury Center, VT 05677 United States
Email Address: isaac@greenmountainclub.org
Contact Phone: (802) 343-9019
Job Title: Assistant Crew Leader - Volunteer Long Trail Patrol (paid position)
Job Description: All GMC seasonal positions are hired on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early!
To apply for this position or to see all available field staff positions with Green Mountain Club, visit:
https://www.greenmountainclub.org/about/employment-opportunities/seasonal-jobs/
NOTE: Due to uncertainty about COVID-19, the role of Volunteer Long Trail Patrol Assistant Lead will likely shift in 2021. This position, along with the Volunteer Field Co-Lead, will likely be comprised of two parts: leading the Volunteer Long Trail Patrol, and providing trainings and support for GMC volunteers across the Long Trail system. Both parts are explained below; how these duties are balanced in 2021 will depend on the availability and success of vaccines.
Volunteer Long Trail Patrol
The Volunteer Long Trail Patrol program is the link between the GMC professional field program and the thousands of volunteers who are the heart and soul of our GMC history and stewardship. Based out of Mt. Tabor Work Center in Southern Vermont, this volunteer trail crew consist of 4-8 rotating volunteers led by two GMC staff. In 2021 the Volunteer Long Trail Patrol Lead should expect to spend at least four weeks in this role, and up to 8weeks.
Volunteer crews work on the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail on projects such as building puncheon, turnpikes, water bars, side-hill tread, and bridges. Most VLTP projects are in the Green Mountain National Forest, including some in federally designated wilderness areas.
The Volunteer Long Trail Patrol Leads works closely with the Field Supervisor, Field Assistant, and agency partners to scout and plan work projects before volunteers arrive. They work closely with the GMC’s full-time Volunteer Coordinator to handle project logistics throughout the work season. Once the project begins, the VLTP leads guide and instruct the crew volunteers through a full work week. This includes packing into a work site, setting up camp, completing a multi-day trail project, cooperating on camp chores, and packing out. The Volunteer Long Trail Patrol Leads must be a unified team to ensure an enjoyable season for the volunteers as well as an efficient project timeline.
VLTP crews spend five days and four nights in the field in most weather. They work with rock and lumber, as well as native timber as projects require. Friday through Monday nights crews camp near their work sites and share a communal camp kitchen, as well as camp chores. The VLTP Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader are responsible for managing the crew’s meal budget, planning crew meals, shopping for crew groceries, and orienting volunteers to the project and GMC. Typically, the Volunteer Long Trail Patrol Leads share the duties of grocery shopping and hosting Thursday dinner, so as to ensure each person has appropriate time off.
Communal day-off housing for the Volunteer Long Trail Patrol Leads in Danby, VT with the Southern Caretakers.
Volunteer Training and Support
When not leading the Volunteer Long Trail Patrol, the VLTP Leads will work with GMC’s Volunteer and Education Coordinator to provide training and support to the many volunteers who maintain the Long Trail system. This may include the GMC’s fourteen regional sections, 234 trail and shelter adopters, as well as organized volunteer groups from high schools, colleges and universities, and businesses. VLTP Leads may conduct trail work trainings for GMC’s Volunteers and assist on large trail maintenance and construction projects. This work will take place throughout the Green Mountains and will primarily involve day trips to work sites but may involve multi-night stays in the field as well. Projects. When working in this capacity VLTP Leads will be based out of GMC housing in Waterbury Center and share days off with each other as well as other northern field staff.
VLTP staff provide their own personal camping gear. The GMC provides crew vehicles, food for the crew and staff during VLTP hitches, tools, personal protective equipment, and some group equipment (stove, fuel, cook-ware, first-aid supplies). GMC also provides some backpacking gear for volunteers to borrow.
NOTE: Please read the VLTP Assistant Crew Leader position description as well for a full understanding of the VLTP structure.
2021 Position Dates: May 10th – August 13th (limited start date flexibility). Potential for August 24th end date. Potential to transition to LTP or Caretaker role for fall season.
Schedule: Five-day work shifts, including weekends. Camping at work site four nights per shift.
Compensation: $575/week, plus housing for days off and meals during work week.
Supervisor: Field Assistant, Field Supervisor, Volunteer and Education Coordinator
Volunteer Long Trail Patrol Assistant Lead Responsibilities:
-Lead trainings on trail and shelter maintenance for GMC’s adopter program and section volunteers.
-Assist GMC’s volunteer sections with their spring walk-throughs and planned maintenance trips.
-Coordinate volunteer delivery of bark mulch to composting privies.
-Lead public volunteer days to complete deferred trail maintenance tasks such as clearing drains or clipping brush.
-Act as a link between different branches of GMC’s volunteer programs and GMC’s field staff.
-Lead rotating crew of 3-8 volunteers on trail construction and maintenance projects.
-Scout VLTP work projects with Field Supervisor, Field Assistant, and VLTP Assistant Crew Leader before crew season begins.
-Co-lead LTP training with Field Supervisor, Field Assistants, and LTP crew leaders.
-Plan crew meals and meal budget in collaboration with Assistant Crew Leader.
-Purchase groceries throughout season and keep orderly food storage system at Mt. Tabor.
-Set weekly work schedules to efficiently complete project goals in collaboration with Assistant Crew Leader.
-Complete weekly work logs and formal End of Season work summary.
-Oversee weekly cleaning and maintenance of project tools and camp supplies.
-Develop and foster healthy working relationships with and between all members of crew.
-Maintain high standards of work and safety in a range of weather conditions.
-Instruct volunteers in trail-building and maintenance techniques and safe use of tools.
-Instruct crew volunteers in backcountry safety and outdoor living skills.
-Involve all crew volunteers in camp chores as equally as possible.
-Implement and model Leave No Trace practices at project work site and at camp.
-Responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and operational tool storage facility at Mt. Tabor Work Center.
-Ensure safe and responsible operation of GMC vehicles and conduct weekly vehicle checks.
-Keep volunteer paperwork organized and confidential.
-Act as GMC on-site liaison with agency partners, including the US Forest Service and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
-Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
VLTP Assistant Leader Qualifications:
-Valid Driver’s License required
-Wilderness First Aid certification required (class available free-of-charge during training); WFR preferred (re-certification available free-of-charge during training)
-Extensive trail building and maintenance skills
-Extensive experience with trail building tools and basic power tools
-Experience in outdoor leadership positions, preferably trail crew leadership
-Experience working directly with volunteers, especially supervisory experience
-Experience working with agency and project partners
-Strong backcountry living skills, including cooking and waste management
-Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain positive attitude in high-stress situations
-Ability to problem-solve independently and collaboratively in the backcountry
-Ability to adhere to weekly work schedules and flexibility to adjust schedules as required by project developments
-Ability to perform difficult manual labor and to carry heavy loads as a regular part of the work day
-Must work weekends
Job Start Date: 5/10/2021
Application Deadline: 2/14/2021
Additional Information: All GMC seasonal positions are hired on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early!
To apply for this position or to see all available field staff positions with Green Mountain Club, visit:
https://www.greenmountainclub.org/about/employment-opportunities/seasonal-jobs/