Seasonal staff persons are hired for a full season (June through October) and two shorter seasons: summer and fall. The summer season runs June through August and the fall season is August through October. Applications for the summer season are reviewed in February and applications for the fall season are reviewed in June.
All positions require living in the woods for at least five days at a time with two days off a week. All field staff must be 18 years of age.
Thank you for your interest in working for the Green Mountain Club! Applications are currently open for the Fall season (mid-August through mid-October).
Seasonal field staff positions:
Long Trail Patrol
Overview: The Long Trail Patrol was established in 1931 as the official trail crew of the Green Mountain Club. The focus of the crew is to work on heavily used and blown out sections of trail that require intensive trail structures and advanced technical skills.
Crews consist of five members, including the Crew Leader. Crews work in all weather for 40 hours per week in the field. Crew members provide their personal camping gear and food. Day-off housing is available. Transportation to the work site, tools, and some group equipment (stove, pots, first-aid supplies, and tents) are provided.
Crew Member Responsibilities & Qualifications:
- Ability and desire to live and work in the field, during all weather conditions
- Ability to work an eight hour day doing physical work and to carry heavy equipment
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well with a group
- General willingness to interact with hikers and trail users
- Ability to follow safety protocol, share in equal work and camp duties, work with volunteers, practice Leave No Trace ethics, and follow the direction of your crew leader
- Tool use and trail building technique is desirable (on-site training also occurs)
Crew Leader Responsibilities & Qualifications:
- Ability to set weekly work schedules for the crew, supervise works in progress, complete weekly work logs and reports, follow and enforce safety protocols, and problem solve in the backcountry
- Ability to work independently and lead the 6 person crew
- Ability to be the on-site liaison with partner organizations, such as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Green Mountain National Forest, Forest, Parks and Recreation, and private land owners
- Wilderness First Aid certified (GMC offers a course during training)
Volunteer Long Trail Patrol Crew Leader & Coordinator (summer only)
Overview: This volunteer trail crew consists of 8-10 volunteers led by two experienced Green Mountain Club staff – a crew leader and a crew coordinator. Volunteers work for a week at a time (with a maximum of four weeks) along the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail on projects such as building native puncheon, turnpike, water bars, side-hilling and benching trail. This program is an important part of protecting and maintaining the Long Trail.
Crew Leader Responsibilities & Qualifications:
- This position is responsible for the field portion of the crew, so will scout projects with the Field Supervisor
- Ability to set weekly work schedules for the crew, supervise works in progress, complete weekly work logs and reports, follow and enforce safety protocols, and problem solve in the backcountry
- Ability to work independently and manage the crew, including training volunteers on proper tool use, trail education, and Leave No Trace ethics and ensure volunteer satisfaction throughout the week
- Strong trail skills, backcountry experience, and experience leading a crew
- Knowledge of the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail System is helpful
- Wilderness First Aid certified (GMC offers a course during training)
Crew Coordinator Responsibilities & Qualifications
- Assist Crew Leader with the field portion of the program and manage logistics including oversight of base camp, contact with future volunteers, meal planning for up to 12 people, and financial record keeping
- Time will be split between the field and town, which will be the Mt. Tabor Work Center
- Ability to work well with volunteers and having an open, friendly demeanor is important
- Strong organizational skills and an ability to work independently as well as part of a team
- Strong trail skills, backcountry experience, and experience leading a crew
- Knowledge of the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail System is helpful
- Wilderness First Aid certified (GMC offers a course during training)
Construction Crew Members
Overview: Works as a member of a small crew performing work throughout the state of Vermont, often in the backcountry, and commonly camped out for the duration of the work week. Projects may include bridge repair and construction, restoration and repair of historic shelters and cabins, building kiosks and informative displays, and constructing trail-related structures. Crew members provide their personal camping gear and food. Housing is available for days off as well as during projects which require a daily commute. Transportation to the work site, tools, and some group equipment (stove, pots, first-aid supplies, and tents) are provided.
Crew Member Responsibilities & Qualifications:
- Ability and desire to live and work in the field, during all weather conditions
- Ability to work an eight hour day doing physical work and to carry heavy equipment
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well with a group
- Ability to follow safety protocol, share in equal work and camp duties, work with volunteers, practice Leave No Trace ethics, and follow the direction of your crew leader
- Tool use and carpentry skills desired (on-site training also occurs)
Backcountry Caretakers
Overview: Caretakers employ hiker education and backcountry stewardship in order to promote Leave No Trace principles and to protect our natural resources. During the months of peak hiking activity, caretakers are stationed at overnight campsites associated with vulnerable natural areas. Caretakers maintain ten to twenty miles of trail, encourage Leave No Trace camping techniques, collect trail-use data, keep site and privy in good condition, and serve as the GMC liaison with partners. Caretakers live at their assigned sites from June to October and are on duty 24 hours a day, with days 2 days off a week. Caretakers are responsible for their own food and fuel. Green Mountain Club will provide tents or shelters, training, tools, and equipment.
Locations:
Southern Vermont: Caretaker sites in Southern Vermont are on the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail within the Green Mountain National Forest. These sites are near fragile backcountry ponds that are heavily used by hikers and campers. There is a Coolidge Range Ridgerunner who roves among four shelters and about 30 miles of trail in central Vermont, including Killington Peak.
Northern Vermont: Most caretakers in northern Vermont live and work on Camel’s Hump and Mount Mansfield. The summits of these mountains are especially sensitive because they are alpine ecosystems that support many rare and endangered species. Four to five caretakers work on each of these mountains because of the high visitor numbers. Northern caretakers participate in summit duty multiple times a week where they educate visitors. There are also caretakers at Sterling Pond and Battell Shelter on Mount Abraham.
Caretaker Responsibilities & Qualifications:
- Strong backpacking and outdoor skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of trail users
- Ability to be self-motivated to live and work in a remote area with little supervision
- Experience with composting, Leave No Trace principles, and simple accounting desired
- Knowledge of natural history, teaching, and interpretive skills desired
- Knowledge of the Long Trail system (and Appalachian Trail for southern sites) desired
- Wilderness First Aid certification (class available during training)
- Maintain ten to twenty miles of trail, encourage Leave No Trace camping techniques, collect trail-use data, keep site and privy in good condition, and serve as the GMC liaison with partners
