Contact Name: Tim Duclos
Company/Organization/Agency: Merck Forest & Farmland Center
Address: 3270 Route 315, Rupert, Vermont 05768 USA
Email Address: tim@merckforest.org
Contact Phone:
Job Title: Seasonal Recreation Support Technician
Job Description: Qualifications:
• Ideal candidates are those having completed, or are in progress of completing, an undergraduate degree in the field of recreation management, resource management, environmental conservation/science, or similar environmentally focused discipline; or equivalent 4-years of experience in these areas.
Furthermore:
• Demonstrated experience navigating and operating safely and effectively both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, often remote, field-based setting.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions and maintain quality communication with peers and supervisor.
• Experience with, and interest in, recreational trail and cabin maintenance.
• Experience with, or ability to learn, rough carpentry.
• Experience safely operating a chainsaw as well as a variety of hand and power tools.
• Experience and ability engaging, organizing, and leading volunteers in the field to accomplish work projects.
• Familiarity with conservation/environmental threats and concerns.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive large truck and side-by-side vehicles on rough trail and road.
• Positive attitude and ability to adapt to changing work plans and priorities.
• Ability to lift upwards of 50lbs and hike long distances (as much as 8 miles a day) in a variety of field conditions.
• Interest in learning a handful of invasive non-native plants common to Vermont a plus.
• Experience operating heavy machinery a plus.
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs, as well as ArcGIS and use of GPS a plus.
Position Description:
Merck Forest & Farmland Center, Vermont’s first environmental conservation organization, is looking for a seasonal Recreation Support Technician (RST) to play a key role in the upkeep of our recreational infrastructure during the summer field season. With nearly 3200 acres of land to explore, we maintain over 30 miles of trails and 9 overnight cabins and structures. Cabins are available for rent year-round and our trails and property are open to the public, at no cost, every day of the year. The successful candidate will work under the direction of our Conservation Manager to address both cyclical maintenance needs as well as complete capital improvement projects. Cyclical needs involve the regular clearing of down-trees with chainsaw, as well as general maintenance and monitoring of trail corridor and tread conditions. This individual will also be responsible for maintaining and monitoring conditions within our cabins on a regular basis and addressing any needs that may arise; this includes regular cabin checks and upkeep as well as addressing particular issues of damage or misuse of our cabins. We also process and deliver nearly 60 cords of firewood each summer to our cabins; a project which the RST will play a key role. On occasion, the RST will also assist with conservation related field work- most notably manual invasive plant removal, and possibly, forestry related work. As evolving COVID-19 situation allows, a potentially key component of this position will also involve leading volunteers (both group and individuals) to accomplish a variety of field projects in these arenas as well; stacking firewood, trail work, invasive plant removal, etc. Major projects on the docket for this year include increasing trail wayfinding and interpretative signage, updating signage/displays in cabins, building enclosure cages around our wood sheds, addressing road maintenance needs, addressing cabin window/insulation/woodstove improvements, and building bog bridges along trails.
To apply, please submit, in a single PDF document: cover letter, resume, three professional references (with contact info), and your availability for May start and September end dates to: tim[at]merckforest.org
Applications are due by COB Monday, March 29th and interviews will begin shortly after.
Job Start Date: 5/1/2021
Application Deadline: 3/29/2021
Additional Information: Check us out online at: merckforest.org
Check us out on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/merckforest