Position: Southern New England Regional Trails Supervisor
Location: South Egremont, MA
Reports to: Trails Volunteer Programs Manager
Summary Description:
The Southern New England Regional Trails Supervisor develops and
sustains AMC's trails management programs primarily in central and western
Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut. The Trails Supervisor works closely
with AMC’s Volunteer Appalachian Trail committees in Connecticut and
Massachusetts, Appalachian Trail Conservancy staff, Massachusetts Department of
Conservation and Recreation, regional land trusts and other conservation organizations.
This position oversees the Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner Program and the
Southern New England Teen Trail Crew Program, and which help to further AMC’s
Vision 2020 goals for expanding volunteerism and engaging more youth in the
outdoors.
The Trails Supervisor is expected to be familiar with both
traditional and contemporary trail maintenance and construction methods and
backcountry recreation management techniques, possess excellent supervisory
skills, be well versed with Leave No Trace practices, to serve as a trail
resource for local organizations in developing new trail projects or trail
maintenance programs, and to represent the AMC within the regional trails
community.
In addition, this individual will continue to expand programming
and develop new partnerships in the Berkshire and Pioneer Valley regions of
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and other southern New England regions.
Primary Responsibilities - Programmatic:
Southern New England Teen Trail Crew and Custom
Crews
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Manage AMC’s Southern New England Teen Trail Crew, a conservation
and trail stewardship program for teens. Includes hiring, training, and
supervising seasonal staff including Projects Coordinator, Trail Crew Leaders,
and various support staff. Coordinating
with state agencies and committee volunteers for the assignment of trail
projects, and promoting the program to recruit volunteer crew participants.
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Coordinate with all Trails Programs Supervisors to organize staff
training, program development, and maintain organizational consistencies across
AMC’s operating region.
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Coordinate with the AMC Trails Volunteer Programs Administrative
Supervisor who manages registrations and communications for all AMC Teen Trail
Crews which includes the processing and evaluation of registrations, handling
of fees and the communication with participants and family members.
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Purchase and maintain all program related field gear, tools, and
safety equipment
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Assist the Trails Volunteer Programs Manager in the development of
program offerings, locations and rates.
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Provide enrollment/participant status updates to Trails Volunteer
Programs Manager.
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Coordinate and deliver Custom Crew opportunities for regional
groups, such as outing clubs, camp groups, and corporate groups.
Southern
New England Ridgerunner Program
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Manage AMC’s Southern New England Ridgerunner Program including
hiring, training, and supervising both full-time and weekend seasonal staff,
reporting trail use data collection, and evaluating the program for annual
improvements.
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Coordinate with the AMC Connecticut AT Committee on Ridgerunner
trail projects, share trail use data, maintain data sharing documents, and
other maintenance needs.
Coordination
with Regional Trails Volunteers
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Support and assist the AMC’s Volunteer Appalachian Trail Committees
in Connecticut and Massachusetts to:
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Identify and plan priority trail and backcountry campsite projects
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Maintain communication and coordination with trail management
partners, including the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, National Park Service,
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Connecticut
Department of Environmental Protection, local Search and Rescue, State Police,
local town governments and emergency response crews
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Seek funding for priority projects, or assist in writing grant
applications and supporting materials.
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Involve the Committees in major program policies and procedures.
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Organize and occasionally lead skills trainings for trail
volunteers throughout CT and MA.
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Assist AMC’s Berkshire Chapter, as needed, with trail assessment
and volunteer trail maintenance efforts in other locations, such as AMC’s Noble
View Outdoor Center based in Russell, MA and the New England National Scenic
Trail
Primary Responsibilities - General:
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Play a key role in the reduction of risk to participants and staff
by ensuring critical program policies and guidelines are followed, as well as
reviewing policies as needed. Manage Workers Comp. cases, as needed.
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Be on-call for emergencies during field season, late May through
mid-September.
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Identify and build partnerships for new opportunities in the
Berkshire region.
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Work with the Trails Volunteer Program Manager and Trails Programs
Supervisors to define annual schedule and strategic priorities for the regional
trails programs.
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Manage program expenses. Responsible for tracking of credit card
expenses and material and service contracts and purchases.
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Maintain a collaborative relationship with the Appalachian Trail
Conservancy for programming and facility needs at the Kellogg Conservation
Center in S. Egremont, where the position is located.
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Collect reports and hours from all Southern New England Trails Programs
and compiles annual reports of participant enrollment, work hours and
accomplishments, including reports for the ATC and other partners.
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Manage and oversee use and maintenance of vehicle fleet
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Assist AMC Grants Department on submission of various grants for Southern
New England Trails Programs, including Recreational Trails Program grants and
other funding sources.
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Work closely with AMC Conservation Policy staff on local and
regional initiatives. May serve as primary contact on local environmental
issues and initiatives.
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Occasionally serve as a co-leader for AMC Leave No Trace Master
Educator Courses, and Leave No Trace Trainer Courses.
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Serve as a member of AMC’s Risk Management Team and Massachusetts
Recreational Trails Advisory Board.
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Hire and oversee professional trail crews for projects as
necessary.
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Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
and Experience:
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Minimum of 2-4 years of trail maintenance and construction,
natural resource management, and outdoor programming, with previous supervisory
and leadership experience. Experience can be in any combination of staff or
volunteer roles.
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Bachelor’s degree with studies in Recreation, Natural Resources
Management or other relevant disciplines is desirable.
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Proven successful supervisory ability of seasonal employees.
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Proven leadership abilities.
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Familiarity with Leave No Trace principles, with an interest to
learn more.
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Possess, or be willing to obtain, a minimum of Wilderness First
Aid and CPR.
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Ability to independently manage an office, including, but not
limited to, ability to operate and maintain standard office equipment, purchase
and manage office supplies, maintain cleaning schedule for office, and act as
regional source of information to various callers.
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Ability to manage multiple programs and tasks simultaneously.
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Ability to work constructively with volunteers to support and
build capacity for their efforts.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
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Strong organizational skills and ability to find creative
solutions.
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Ability work both independently and to collaborate with others.
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Possess the ability to serve as an ambassador outside of the
trails community to engage in partnership efforts on a local and regional
level.
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Willingness to travel primarily within central and western
Massachusetts and Connecticut and occasionally to other locations in the
Northeast.
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Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving history subject to a
driving record check conducted by the AMC.
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Physical ability to travel safely on foot in all weather
conditions on unimproved trails carrying up to 40 lbs of gear. Ability to perform and teach a variety of
trail work activities.
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Ability to operate standard office equipment.
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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 record check performed on their name.
To Apply:
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.
Please
include your resume and a cover letter when applying. The information should include three (3)
professional references and your salary requirements. No phone calls, please.
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!