Land Stewardship Technician
Are you looking for an entry-level opportunity to protect the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) and its surrounding area? Are you an avid backpacker or camper who wants to work outdoors? Do you love the idea of a seasonal position that would allow you to grow your experience in conservation and backcountry fieldwork? Then this position is for you.
Land Stewardship Technicians maintain the boundary lines of the protected land that surrounds the A.T. This challenging and rewarding work involves hiking off-trail through untouched forests, clearing vegetation with loppers, putting up boundary signs, repainting blazes on trees, finding survey markers, and recording data. This team ensures that the Appalachian Trail is protected by a well-marked boundary line and that any violations are promptly found and resolved. The pristine wildlands and unmatched hiking experience on the A.T. would not be possible without the work of the Land Stewardship Team.
We are looking for 3 technicians and 1 coordinator for our Northeast Region. These positions will mostly be working in the 100-mile wilderness in Maine, with additional trips to other areas in the Northeast. We will be based in Bangor, Maine, and we usually car-camp in the woods near the A.T. during our 4-day work week.
Who We Are
Established in 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) leads the effort to protect, maintain and celebrate the A.T. We are part of a unique cooperative-management system, working with a number of local, state, and federal partners to ensure greater protections for the Trail. Our partners include the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, dozens of state agencies, and 30 local Trail-maintaining clubs. The ATC’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
What We Can Achieve Together
The Land Stewardship Technician will:
- Be a contributing team member with the other Land Stewardship Technicians and the Land Stewardship Field Coordinator.
- Perform fieldwork monitoring and maintaining the A.T. corridor boundary lines: posting signs, painting trees, finding survey monuments, and clearing vegetation with hand tools.
- Enter detailed monitoring data and maintain organized fieldwork files.
- Travel to and from work sites, camping near work sites as appropriate.
- Maintain tools, supplies, equipment, and program vehicles.
- Follow protocols documenting and mitigating boundary encroachment violations on the A.T. corridor.
- Lead work trips with volunteer participants.
- Other awesome work as assigned by the Natural Resources & Land Stewardship Manager – Northeast.
Experience You Will Gather From This Opportunity:
- Hands on involvement performing conservation work on the longest continuous corridor of conserved public land on the east coast.
- Training on key skills like trip planning, Leave No Trace camping, data collecting, ArcGIS mapping (field and office), orienteering with map and compass, tree identification, bushwhacking, and reading land survey maps.
- Leadership experience from work trips with volunteers.
What You Will Need To Bring:
Don’t worry if you have never worked in conservation. We will provide training on the technical aspects of this work and how we approach it at the ATC. What we need to see from you is:
- A positive and collaborative attitude, and for you to encourage it in others.
- Passion for environmental conservation and volunteerism.
- Solid hiking and camping ability and experience.
- Self-motivated person who works well independently and as part of a team.
- Effective communication, organization, and critical thinking skills.
- Valid driver’s license with no restrictions.
What We Would Love To See:
- Proficiency using a map and compass and navigating off-trail.
- Strong computer skills, including GPS and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping applications.
- Ability to identify tree species common to northern New England.
- Bachelor’s degree, coursework towards a degree, or equivalent work experience in environmental science, recreation management, natural resources management, forestry, or a related field.
- Familiarity or training in Leave No Trace.
- Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, or other first aid certification.
Physical Demands Of The Position:
- Ability to hike long distances and work in rugged terrain, variable weather, and remote off-trail locations.
- Ability to live and perform strenuous work in the backcountry for multiple days and overnights.
- Ability to lift and carry 50+ pounds.
- Regular, extensive travel to trail access points in Maine and across the Northeast.
- Long days in the field and occasional weekend work may be required.
Your Work Environment:
- Rigorous outdoor work and overnight camping along the A.T. with exposure to ticks and pests, as well as extreme and varied weather conditions.
- Office environment with a moderate level of noise due to activity on the phone, computer, and printer.
- Position is mostly field based with access to office space in Maine.
- Field locations primarily in Maine with occasional work weeks in other Northeast states.
Key Details About The Position:
- Runs from late May through Late October, not to exceed 22 weeks (about 5 months) of employment.
- $18 per hour commensurate with experience.
- 4-day, 40-hour workweek (Monday through Thursday). Occasional weekend work is required.
- Per diem for meal expenses incurred while traveling or working in the field.
- Camping or lodging fees are covered or reimbursed.
- Use of ATC-provided vehicle.
- Housing assistance is available.
- COVID-19 vaccination will be required for this position as a condition of employment. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.
To Apply
Please submit an application packet that consists of a resume and cover letter via our ADP application portal. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. We will begin requesting interviews after March 6, 2023.