Contact Name: Walter Opuszynski
Company/Organization/Agency: Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
Address: 5 Perry Street, Suite 20, Barre, Forests, Parks & Recreation, Department of 05641 United States
Email Address: walter.opuszynski@vermont.gov
Contact Phone: (802) 522-6022
Job Title: State Trail Crew Member
Job Description: Pay: $11.96 per hour
Additional Compensation: Mileage reimbursement if vehicle is used for
work, access to State Park campsites based on availability, Wilderness
First Aid, Game of Logging and trail construction/maintenance skill
Training, stipend toward the purchase of chainsaw boots, VT State
fishing license.
Season: Season is currently under way and runs until November 4, 2021
Application Due: Rolling
Definition:
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is seeking Crew Members for the seasonal State Trail Crew. Crew Members need to be comfortable performing trail work in both backcountry and front country settings in a close-knit team of four. Projects may incorporate volunteers or contracted youth conservation corps. requiring support and oversight by Crew Members. Work will be performed at State Parks and on State Lands within an assigned FPR region/district. Duties and work projects are performed under the general direction of the Trail Crew Leader and oversight by the District Trails Coordinator, but with need for significant independence interacting with the public while in the field.
Examples of Work Performed:
Crew Members will be responsible for performing routine trail maintenance on an assortment of trail types ranging from hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian to multi-use. This trail maintenance will include cleaning and restoration of water bars, corridor maintenance and clearing, blazing trails, installing signage, and cataloging areas that need to be addressed. Work involves heavy lifting, digging, carrying, brush cutting and operation of power equipment in the construction and maintenance of natural surface and gravel surface trails. On certain projects technical trail work will occur, which could include but is not limited to the installation of erosion control devices, wooden bridges, stone staircases, steppingstones, and retainer walls. Chainsaw work is also a part of the job and could include clearing blow-downs from trails and milling lumber to use on trail structures. Chainsaw work will be performed by a crew member certified to operate a chainsaw. Chainsaw certification is required by at least one member of the crew: Game of Logging Level 1-3 or Forest Service Chainsaw Certification. Crew Members will represent the Department when interacting with the public during working hours.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
• Ability and willingness to work with other people.
• Carpentry skills including knowledge of wooden joinery, milling lumber with a chainsaw, and basic carpentry skills.
• Knowledge of rockwork, including proper contact, understanding methods of dry-stacking rocks, along with quarrying and moving rocks using a Griphoist.
• Understanding of erosion and the impact of erosion on trails.
• Understanding of surface water movement associated with varying topographies.
• Working knowledge of trail corridor maintenance.
• Standard First Aid and CPR Certified.
• Chainsaw certification is required by at least one trail crew member.
• All members of the trail crew should be comfortable working around a chainsaw and understand the safety concerns associated with chainsaw work.
Environmental Factors:
Duties are performed outdoors in all types of weather. Crew Members must be able to lift heavy items, at times up to 50 lbs. Manual dexterity is needed to operate equipment and use tools. A valid driver’s license is required for travel to work sites. There will be camping in both front country and back country settings. The Trail Crew will be traveling from work area to work area in assigned districts, and may be provided with campsites, lean-tos, or cabins if available, within nearby state parks. It is recommended that during the workweek crewmembers stay at the campgrounds associated with, or near, the trail work being performed. A crew vehicle will be supplied by FPR. When working on state lands that do not have a State Park in the immediate vicinity, a spike camp will be established with the assistance of the District Trails Coordinator. Crew Members will need to supply their own camping equipment. Indoor work may be provided where possible during inclement weather.
Minimum Qualifications for Application:
Education: High School Diploma
Experience: The ideal candidate will have at least one year of trail work experience. Valid Driver’s License, Standard First Aid and CPR Certification required. Chainsaw certification required by at least one member of the trail crew.
Other helpful experiences (not requirements): Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid Certification. Training in any methods of rock work or carpentry skills. Previous experience working in a crew setting.
Training provided by FPR: If needed we can provide Game of Logging (1-3) and Wilderness First Aid. We will also provide formal training for highline use/set-up, technical rock work/shaping, and trail structure construction techniques. All Crew Members will be provided proper safety equipment.
Job Start Date: 5/24/2021
Application Deadline: 6/25/2021
Additional Information: Applications are rolling until the position is filled.
The on-line application process can be found at: https://vtstateparks.com/employment.html
Questions can be directed to:
Walter Opuszynski
Forest Recreation Specialist
Walter.Opuszynski@vermont.gov