Professional Trail Builder & Apprentice

Recon Trail Design wants you to join our fun and growing trail crew! Our exciting season of conservation work includes new trail construction, bridge construction, and stonework projects in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Western Maine, and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

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Position Location:  In-Field 100%, travel is required to work sites throughout ME, NH, & VT with projects primarily located within 50 miles of Conway, NH

Terms:  6-month:  May - Oct and 3-month: June - Aug, flexible start/end dates

Time Requirements:  Full-time and part-time seasonal positions available

Compensation:  $18-23/hour DOE, paid holidays & year-end bonus

To Apply:  e-mail resume and 3 professional references to  recontraildesign@gmail.com

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Our trail crew works a regular Mon-Fri schedule with crew terms of 3 and 6-months with opportunities for advancement. We strive to create sustainable jobs in trail work with good pay and normal hours for entry-level and those looking for the next step after traditional trail crew experiences.

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Job Responsibilities

Successful applicants will possess proven trail construction skills, ability to maintain high standards of quality, and a positive, team-focused mindset.  Responsibilities include building and maintaining recreational trails with various hand tools, mechanized trail construction, rigging and chainsaw work in remote locations, and working with various partners and organizations.

• Focus on safety, teamwork, communication, and high-quality service

• Knowledge of current trail building techniques and demonstrated ability to implement

• Ability to provide high quality customer service and work outputs with minimal supervision

• Ability to work outdoors in any weather conditions

 

Required Qualifications

• Two or more seasons of trail work experience

• Good physical fitness with ability to hike up to 6 miles and lift and carry up to 60 lbs.

• Experience backcountry camping, and ability to camp if required

• Knowledge of and ability to uphold Leave No Trace standards and practices

• Valid U.S. Driver’s License and reliable transportation

• Willingness and ability to travel, camp, and work some weekends

• Commitment and ability to maintain a smoke and drug-free work environment

 

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree and/or relevant experience in natural science or conservation

• Experience in carpentry and/or masonry, willing to train

• Experience operating machinery and rigging for trail work, willing to train

• Safe operation of chainsaw with experience in trail clearing

• Valid outdoor medical certification, first-aid and CPR

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Lead Trail Builder & Assistant Planner

Recon Trail Design is excited to announce our first permanent year-round position!  Join our growing team and apply your skills to creating unique and beautiful outdoor experiences for people of all abilities.  This position will lead the daily operations of our Professional Trail Crew during the field season, and assist with trail planning and training services during the non-field season.  A focus on safety, a keen attention to detail, approachable interpersonal skills, and a desire to be hands-on are a must in this role.

 

Position Title:  Lead Trail Builder/Assistant Planner

Term:  Full-time, year-round; hybrid position

Compensation:  $40,000-$46,000/annually exempt

Reports to:  President/Owner

Benefits:  Paid time off, paid holidays, health insurance stipend, professional development opportunities, mileage reimbursements, and paid office closure Christmas week

To Apply:  e-mail resume, cover letter, and 3 references to recontraildesign@gmail.com

 

The Lead Trail Builder/Assistant Planner is a regular, exempt full-time position. The time required varies by season, roughly full-time March-October and 3/4-time November-February. A constant full-time salary level is maintained throughout the year regardless of the seasonal fluctuation in workload.

 

Location:

March-October (field season) travel is required to work sites throughout ME, NH, & VT with projects primarily located within 50 miles of Conway, NH.

November-February (non-field season) work will take place virtually at home office with some travel for data collection and survey work.

 

Job Responsibilities

Lead Trail Builder - 75% (field season with significant travel)

Responsible for leading daily operations of a 2-4 member trail crew.  At direction of President, assign daily tasks to crew members and oversee safe and efficient completion of projects.  Successful candidates will possess proven trail construction and leadership skills, ability to maintain high standards of safety and quality, and a positive, team-oriented mindset. 

• Focus on creating and maintaining a safe and productive work environment

• Leadership-style with focus on safety, teamwork, communication, and high-quality service

• Knowledge of current conservation and trail building techniques, standards, and BMP’s

• Ability to provide high-quality customer service and work outputs with or without supervision

• Ability to travel with overnight stays and work outdoors in any weather conditions

 

Trail Planning - 15% (non-field season work from home)

Responsible for trail evaluation, GIS mapping & data collection, new trail survey & design, and producing maps and reports.  Successful candidates will have sufficient experience to work independently.

• Demonstrated trail evaluation skills and ability to effectively assess maintenance needs

• High level of skill navigating independently through various outdoor terrain in New England

• Experience using GIS software and mobile applications to collect and manage data

• Ability to travel throughout New England with possible overnight stays

 

Administrative - 10% (non-field season work from home)

Responsible for assisting with recruitment and hiring, developing and producing training materials and field resources, and expanding our training offerings.  Successful candidates will be highly organized.

• Ability to screen applicants and conduct interviews

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

 

Required Qualifications

• Four or more seasons of trail work experience, w/ minimum of two years leadership experience

• Good physical fitness with ability to hike up to 6 miles and lift and carry up to 60 lbs.

• Experience backcountry camping, and ability to camp if required

• Knowledge of and ability to uphold Leave No Trace standards and practices

• Valid U.S. Driver’s License and reliable transportation

• Willingness and ability to travel, camp, and work some weekends

• Commitment and ability to maintain a smoke and drug-free work environment

• Valid outdoor medical certification, first-aid and CPR

• Suitable home office space with computer and reliable internet

 

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree and/or relevant experience in trail building, natural science or conservation

• Experience operating machinery, willing to train

• Experience with rigging for trail work, willing to train

• Experience in carpentry and masonry, willing to train

• Safe operation of chainsaw with experience in felling and trail clearing

 

The 2024 season includes mechanized new trail construction, bridge construction, and stonework projects in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Western Maine, and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

 

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Recon Trail Design, LLC is an equal opportunity employer.  All are welcome to apply!

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“Where Recreation & Conservation Meet”

Based in Western Maine & Mount Washington Valley, Recon Trail Design, LLC is a full-service firm specializing in recreational trail planning, design, construction, and education. Our work specializes in non-motorized recreational trail design and construction, including ADA/ABA-spec design, mountain bike trails, boardwalks and bridges. We practice a conservation-focused approach to trail work on every project.

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