Employment
Put your passion for the Appalachian Trail to work!
Trail Crew and Ridgerunner Positions
2023 Paid Seasonal Positions
- Trail Crew Coordinator
- Trail Crew Leader
- Trail Crew Assistant Leader
- Trail Crew Members
- Appalachian Trail Ridgerunners
To Apply:
- Submit a cover letter, resume and references by email (indicate which position you are applying for in the subject line) to matcjobs@matc.org.
- Preference will be given to those applying by 1/31/23.
- MATC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
- All positions require compliance with a COVID-19 safety plan, which includes testing and showing proof of vaccination.
- Sorry, no pets allowed.
Maine Trail Crew Positions Available
MATC’s Maine Trail Crew will be comprised of a mix of paid staff and volunteers (a team of up to 8) working to reconstruct the footpath in backcountry locations along the Appalachian Trail. The Trail Crew will build stone steps, water-bars, retaining walls, and other erosion control structures. Advanced training with stone cutting, stonework, rigging systems will be taught. Project locations will vary along remote section of the Appalachian Trail. Days off housing will be at Lake George Regional Park in Skowhegan, Maine. Food, some camping gear, as well as transportation to project sites will be provided if needed.
Trail Crew Coordinator
The Trail Crew Coordinator will support the operation of the Maine Trail Crew and maintain good communication with community stakeholders. Duties include pre-season site visits with the Crew Leader to plan camping, trail work, and pack ins and helping to set-up and take-down crew operations at the start/end of the season. The Crew Coordinator will recruit, support, training, and transport volunteers. He or she will plan and prepare backcountry and basecamp meals, purchase food, and help to organize equipment and ensure health and safety measures are adhered to. He/she will participate at job sites, pack ins and pack outs as needed and help to trouble-shoot problems that arise related to vehicles, staffing, basecamp, and equipment.
Pay range: $19- $19.50/hour, housing and food are provided
Dates: May 10 – October 11, 2023
Qualifications:
- At least one season working in an outdoor recreation setting
- Strong organization and computer skills
- Strong communication skills (verbal, written)
- Strong indoor and outdoor cooking skills
- Enjoys camping and an outdoor lifestyle
- Ability to solve problems with flexibility and resourcefulness
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record
- Ability to work well with others from a variety of backgrounds and ages
- Ability to maintain accurate records and manage crew finances
Trail Crew Leader
The Trail Crew Leader will train and supervise crew members and volunteers in trail reconstruction – building stone stairs, stepping-stones, waterbars, retaining walls, and other erosion control structures. The Crew Leader will ensure safe and sanitary conditions at campsites and work sites, transport crews safely, and respond appropriately to emergency situations.
Pay range: $19 – $20.5 per hour, housing and food are provided
Dates: May 10 – October 11, 2023
Qualifications:
- One or more seasons in a trail leadership role
- Backcountry backpacking, camping, and cooking experience
- Ability to take responsibility for all aspects of a trail crew
- Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain records
- Ability to teach trail skills and motivate others
- Good health and physical fitness
- Ability to hike long distances in mountain terrain
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- Ability to maintain a safe and enjoyable work environment under challenging conditions
- Comfortable working without direct supervision
Assistant Trail Crew Leader
The Trail Crew Assistant Leader will help train and supervise crew members and volunteers in trail reconstruction and backcountry camping. The trail crew will build stone stairs, step-stones, waterbars, retaining walls, and other erosion control structures. The Assistant Crew Leader will ensure safe and sanitary conditions at camp and work sites, transport crews, and respond appropriately to emergency situations.
Pay range: $18-$18.5 per hour, housing and food is provided
Dates: May 15 – October 9, 2023
Qualifications:
- One season of trail work experience
- Backcountry backpacking, camping, and cooking experience
- One season in an outdoor leadership role
- Ability to take responsibility for of all aspects of a trail crew
- Ability to maintain records and photos
- Ability to teach trail skills and motivate others
- Good health and physical fitness
- Ability to hike long distances in mountain terrain
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
- Ability to maintain a safe and enjoyable work environment under challenging conditions
- Comfortable working without direct supervision.
Trail Crew Member
The Trail Crew Members will be a key part of the Maine Trail Crew comprised of a mix of paid staff and volunteers working to reconstruct the footpath in backcountry locations along the Appalachian Trail.
Pay range: $17 – $18 per hour, housing and food is provided
Dates: May 15 – October 9, 2023
Qualifications:
- At least one season of trail work experience
- Backcountry backpacking, camping, and cooking experience
- Good health and physical fitness
- Ability to hike long distances in mountain terrain
- Ability to maintain a safe and enjoyable work environment under challenging conditions
- Ability to take direction from the Crew Leader and Assistant Crew Leader
- Comfortable working with other people from a variety of backgrounds
Volunteer Crew Member
Click here to learn more about volunteering with the Maine Trail Crew
Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner Positions
Appalachian Trail Ridgerunners will greet, register, and educate hikers. Ridgerunners will impart backcountry camping and hiking knowledge, skills, and ethics focusing on youth groups and distance backpackers. For example: where to camp, how to protect water sources, ford a stream, and minimize fire impacts. Ridgerunners will provide education about rare alpine plants and steward summits and ridgelines. They will manage and provide light maintenance at campsites.
Ridgerunner Sites: Gulf Hagas Preserve, Bigelow and Saddleback Mountains
Schedule: May 20 through October 15, 2023, 40 hrs./week, all weekends, and holidays
Pay rate: $16.50 to 18.00 per hour
Housing stipend: $2,000 for the season will be provided to offset day-off housing costs
Housing/Food/Transportation: Ridgerunners will camp at backcountry sites during workdays and some gear will be provided. Food and day-off housing will be on your own. Personal transportation is required to get to trail heads.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge, skills and ethics of low impact backcountry hiking and camping practices
- Desire and comfort with primitive, solitary, outdoor living and working conditions, including all types of weather
- Good physical condition – able to hike with a 40 lb. backpack.
- Public/customer service skills
- Professional appearance and attitude
- Good communication skills (including oral, by phone, and written)
- Long-distance hiking experience