Founded in 1876, the AMC (www.outdoors.org) is the oldest conservation, education and recreation organization in the United States. The AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and wise use of the mountains, rivers and trails of the Appalachian region. The AMC encourages the involvement of all people in its mission and activities, through its membership, programs, policies, and procedures.

Winter Description

A caretaker’s responsibilities lie equally in public service and resource protection, which is accomplished through outreach and education. Caretakers engage  visitors providing backcountry information on trail conditions, avalanche conditions, ski conditions, weather conditions, route planning and preparation of the visitor.

Hermit Lakes consists of 8 Adirondack shelters, 3 tent platforms, and a 4 bay vault toilet. Caretakers stay on site for 7 days at a time followed by 7 days off. Food for both days on and days off, and days off housing, are provided through a $45 weekly deduction. Home is the caretaker cabin located on the Tuckerman’s Ravine trail. Arguably the most sublime studio apartment in New England, the cabin is equipped with a full kitchen, stove, refrigerator, couch, and coffee table. There is a desk, bunk bed with mattress, private caretaker composting toilet, and a propane heater. There is a small shop for equipment storage and maintenance. There is also a small store in the “lobby” of the cabin, selling the ”10 essentials”.

The Caretaker is responsible for daily operation and maintenance of the main cabin, shelters, restrooms, and trails around Hermit Lakes and Tuckerman’s Ravine. This includes responding to search and rescue emergencies on a voluntary basis in cooperation with the facility’s owner, the United States Forest Service.  Close cooperation and coordination with The Harvard Cabin, The Tuckerman Ravine Ski Patrol and other AMC departments are essential to the success of the position.

 We are primarily looking for passionate people who want to genuinely help people and leave the ravine a little better than they found it. This is more than a job; this is an experience. The person that enters the ravine in December will not be the same person that walks out at the end of their season.    

Qualifications

- Comfortable and competent in harsh winter conditions above tree line

- Ability to ski/snowboard the ravine

- Wilderness First Responder/ EMT/ OEC certification – Prior patient contact experience preferred

- Avy 1 Certification

- Ability to carry heavy loads long distances over rugged terrain.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Promote a welcoming atmosphere through friendly, professional community engagement

- Oversee the daily operations including greeting and registering campers and collecting fees.

- Clean bear boxes, dish pits, and bathrooms daily.

- Snow removal from the main deck, the bathroom and shelter entrances.

- Snow science data collection by 5:50am, used for avalanche forecasting on a daily basis

- Sell retail items (the 10 essentials) to help fund our public service efforts. Prepare

retail displays with seasonal stock. Conduct inventories of retail items as requested and resupply as necessary. The store hours are up to the caretaker’s discretion.

-  Respond to search and rescue incidents on a voluntary basis. Conduct inventory of first aid supplies as requested.

- Participate in SAR trainings with the USFS Snow Rangers and Tuckerman Ravine Ski Patrol.

-  Assist in the on-site training and mentoring of new and returning AMC information        volunteers providing public service (Spring season only)

- Assist in onsite training for new incoming caretakers.

-  Complete maintenance projects requested by Supervisor.

-  Provide general trail maintenance to the surrounding trails. Looping the coordinator and clearing blowdowns.

Employment Standards

Employment at this high use, high-elevation site requires excellent backcountry skills and a sincere commitment to public service. Excellent customer service, backcountry interpretation skills, proficient skiing/snowboarding ability, current wilderness first responder certification and mountaineering experience are required. A close knowledge of the White Mountain area, basic carpentry skills, and trail maintenance experience are desirable but not mandatory. Caretaker must be physically and mentally able to endure solitude and extreme weather conditions.

Benefits:

• The ability to truly have a lasting conservational impact on beautiful terrain that is heavily used.
• Work in a program with shared passions and likeminded individuals.
• 30% discount on all merchandise sold at AMC facilities and in the AMC catalogs
•  All employees will receive an adult one-year AMC membership, which will be renewed upon the employee's anniversary date.
•  Seasonal employees and their immediate family members (parent, sibling, child or spouse) when accompanied by the employee, may use AMC facilities at no charge, when space is available, for up to 4 bed nights per year per employee. Seasonal employees must be employed by the AMC when using this benefit. Reservations will not be considered if original requests are received within one week of the date of the stay. Availability is at the Facility Managers’ discretion and subject to blackout dates.

The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.

The AMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace. The AMC encourages the involvement of all people in its mission and activities, through its membership, programs, policies and procedures. Our goal is to be a community that is comfortable, inviting and accessible for people of any age, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. Join us!