The Field Supervisor is responsible for helping in the planning, administration, and execution of AMC’s Professional Trail Crew’s field season. This position functions as part of a 4-person team (3 Field Supervisors and the Trail Programs Manager) to train and manage 6 professional trail crews working on a variety of projects across northern New England, from the Lakes Region of New Hampshire to the North Woods of Maine and out to the Acadian coast. The 2025 field season will begin at AMC’s Noble View Outdoor Center for several weeks of intensive training with leadership staff from across the region. After a few weeks of pre-season projects, all staff relocate to their main season bases and remain there through November.
AMC’s professional trails program is the oldest in the country, and over the course of the season a Field Supervisor can expect to assist in nearly all aspects of trail crew program management, including hiring, project planning, logistics, staff training, supervision, mediation, quality control, and more. The Field Supervisor will be responsible for holding our employees to uniform standards of professionalism both in technical work and interpersonal dynamics, and can expect to be involved with every crew at some point in the six month field season. Schedules can vary, but the ten-hour day is standard, and most crews either work four on, three off or eight on, six off. All travel time, hike time, mobilization and demobilization is paid. Field Supervisors are given the autonomy to work their own schedules, and may choose to work within or outside of the crew’s regular 40-hour schedule.
Days off housing is provided at AMC’s Camp Dodge Trails Training Center, and includes wifi, coin-op laundry, prepared meals, abundant trail access, and commanding views of the Northern Presidentials. A $45 per week paycheck deduction covers all employee food, including days off if you stay on campus. A wide variety of food is available and all dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
Training opportunities can include axe and crosscut use and maintenance, chainsaw use and maintenance, Wilderness First Aid, rigging, drilling and splitting rock, heavy equipment operation, and more.
Our ten-month Field Supervisors are subject to furlough, and retain their health insurance over a two to three month break.
Responsibilities
Administrative
- Assist in the recruitment, screening, hiring, and onboarding of up to 50 seasonal staff.
- Serve as primary point person and project manager of technical and large-scale projects.
- Plan and coordinate project logistics including material purchasing, equipment rental, and camping/housing.
- Track and document project accomplishments, complete weekly work reports and end of project reports.
- Directly supervise up to 2 crews (10-12 individuals), managing schedules, time-off requests, check-ins, and disciplinary action when needed.
- Share On-Call responsibilities and be ready to respond to emergencies in the field
- Professionally represent the AMC to the public and cooperating agencies. Maintain a neat and professional appearance as much as is possible given the circumstances.
Program Support
- Assist in the training of Crew Leaders on a variety of trail work techniques and best practices, as well as outdoor leadership and group management
- Communicate frequently with Crew Leaders to ensure that project goals are understood, appropriate tools are available, and site factors such as camping and water availability are taken into consideration
- Foster an environment of constructive communication, and teamwork
- Emphasize safety as well as minimum-impact outdoor practices on trail projects and at crew campsites
- Visit crews in the field to support crew leaders, ensure safety of the worksite and confirm the quality of the trail work
- Work in and be prepared for nearly all weather conditions including rain, heat, humidity and bluebird days. Ensure preparation of crew, prioritize safety of crew.
- Foster a spirit of cooperation, safety, teamwork, and responsible stewardship
Technical
- Assess trail conditions, and work with AMC Trails staff and land managers to identify priorities for trail crew projects.
- Operate variety of power tools and equipment including chainsaws, rigging, drills, power wheelbarrows, and excavators.
- Supervise the construction of trail structures like staircases, drainages, bridges, and retaining walls.
- Layout project work and continually check specifications when needed.
- Safely and effectively use hand tools like pick mattocks, rock bars, hammers, loppers, saws, axes, and pulaskis. Train and supervise crew in use.
- Safely and effectively use power tools such as drills, drivers, reciprocating saws, and generators. Train and supervise crew in use.
- Safely and effectively use rigging equipment such as winches, cable, blocks, shackles, and slings. Train and supervise crew in use.
- Assist with maintenance of tools, equipment and program facility
- Ability to drive AMC passenger vehicles and pickup trucks
Please be aware that this list of technical responsibilities represents the entire scope of our program’s work, and that no single individual is expected to possess every single one of these skills. We have ample ability to train and teach the right candidate, and value learning and skill development as an essential component of our work.
