Southern New England Professional Trail Crew Member

Dates: Summer Season: May – August 2025, Fall Season: August- November 2025. Crew members may work one season or both.

Hiring Timeline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with interviews beginning in January and continuing through spring until positions are filled. If the job is posted, we are accepting applications!

Location: Housing at AMC's Noble View Trails Facility in Russell, MA. Projects throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire.

Hiring Manager: Caitlin McCarthy- Trail Programs Manager, Southern New England

AMC is home to the oldest paid trail crew in the country, founded in 1919. Our 2025 season is brimming with technical trail work in front-country and backcountry locations throughout our beautiful and historic region of Southern New England (SNE). We will field three Southern New England (SNE) Trail Crews in 2025, each comprised of three crew members, one assistant crew lead, and one crew lead.

Crews work ten-hour days, four days on, three days off, Monday through Thursday, with rare exceptions. Crews are to communally camp on site during the work week. Off-day/weekend communal housing is provided at AMC's Noble View Trails Facility in Russell, MA, and includes Wi-Fi, a kitchen facility, common areas, trail access, and fellowship with other AMC seasonal employees.

Project work for the 2025 season includes a wide variety of traditional trail crew work including treadway improvements, the construction of rock staircases, timber bridges, boardwalks, and more. Our Southern New England crews will also construct at least one All-Persons-Trail (APT) during the 2025 field season. Crews will use a variety of machinery including excavators, skid steers, compactors, and power wheelbarrows to build a 5-foot-wide gravel surfaced trail that will provide all persons’ access to green spaces throughout the region. AMC will pay for Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders to obtain MA hoisting license and will provide on the job training in machine operation. Visit this website to learn more about AMC’s All-Persons-Trails.

Training opportunities include Wilderness First Aid, outdoor leadership training, axe and crosscut use and maintenance, chainsaw use and maintenance, rigging, drilling and splitting rock, heavy equipment operation, and more.

What You'll Be Doing At AMC

• Participate in all aspects of the construction and maintenance of trail structures such as staircases, drainages, bridges, and retaining walls.
• Participate in all aspects of the construction and maintenance of All-Persons-Trails (APT’s)
• Safely and effectively use machinery including power wheelbarrows and plate compactors.
• Safely and effectively use hand tools like pick mattocks, rock bars, hammers, loppers, saws, axes, and pulaskis.
• Safely and effectively use power tools such as drills, drivers, reciprocating saws, and generators.
• Safely and effectively use rigging equipment such as winches, cable, blocks, shackles, and slings.
• Hike to and from project sites over rugged backcountry terrain, carrying tools and equipment.
• Work in and be prepared for nearly all-weather conditions including rain, heat, humidity and bluebird days.
• Work in as low impact a way as is possible. Revegetate impacted areas and worksites.
• Assist with camp chores as needed; cooking, cleaning, proper food storage, etc.
• Whenever possible, contribute to the crew with a positive mental attitude.
• Professionally represent the AMC to the public and cooperating agencies. Maintain a neat and professional appearance as much as is possible given the circumstances.

What AMC Is Looking For

• Must be a minimum of 18 years old by the start date, no exceptions.
• Ability and desire to live and work outdoors for extended periods of time
• Ability to work under varying weather conditions
• Ability to carry heavy loads (50+ lbs.) for long distances over rugged terrain
• Commitment to backcountry stewardship and Leave No Trace ethics
• Commitment to professionalism
• Good judgment, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Along with Noble View Trails Facility Coordinator and staff, act as a leader and role model at the Noble View Trails Facility and enforce all community guidelines to protect and respect others who share the space
• In order to drive, you must have a safe driving record and practices, subject to verification through a driver's license history check. Not every crew member is required to drive.

Desired Skills

• Trail Work experience and knowledge
• Hand- and power-tool training and familiarity
• Wilderness First Aid certification or higher

What AMC Can Offer You

Salary range: $19.00 - $20.00 Hourly, 40 hours/week 

We are committed to fair compensation practices, and we encourage qualified candidates to apply. The initial salary represents our starting point, and our compensation philosophy is designed to reward and recognize the contributions of our employees as they grow within the organization. External candidates typically begin their journey with us at the starting point of the salary range. The final compensation offer will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills and geographic differential relevant to the position, and will be discussed during the interview process. 

Benefits 

• Room & Board:  Dorm-style room for $45/week – meals included, too!

• Insurance: Available with positions that are 6 months or longer and when working greater than 32 hours per week   

• Retirement: Voluntary 403(b) Contribution 

• Paid Time Off: earn up to 10 days of paid earned time depending on length of service  

• Other Team Member Perks:   

• 30% discount on AMC Merchandise   

• Free Annual AMC Membership  

• 4 Free nights at AMC locations  

• Prodeals discounts on equipment & gear and more!  

To Apply: 

Please include a resume and cover letter. No phone calls or agencies please. 

AMC encourages all interested candidates to apply, even if they do not meet every listed qualification. If you have a passion for the outdoors and believe your skills and experiences align with this role, we welcome your application. 

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.