Mount Major Seasonal Volunteer Trailhead Outreach Program Coordinator

 

Position Announcement: Mount Major Seasonal Volunteer Trailhead Outreach Program Coordinator (VTOP Coordinator)

The non-profit Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests seeks an enthusiastic, articulate, and motivated individual for the position of Mount Major Seasonal Volunteer Trailhead Outreach Program Coordinator. The successful candidate will have excellent communications skills and a strong interest in educating the public and informing visitors to Mount Major about responsible use of the property and trails.

This is a part-time seasonal position based on Mount Major.  The Mount Major Seasonal Volunteer Trailhead Outreach Program Coordinator will work at the parking area, and hiking trials, to educate and encourage the public to recreate responsibly, and also monitor and evaluate recreational use and traffic patterns at Mount Major in order to better target outreach, and complete stewardship tasks. 

The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is a statewide land conservation organization that was founded in 1901 to protect New Hampshire’s most important landscapes and promote wise use of its renewable natural resources.  Today, with 9,400 member households and over 40 employees, the Forest Society owns 172 reservations in 102 communities across the state, and has interests and monitoring responsibilities for 818 conservation easements.  With ongoing programs in advocacy, land protection and sustainable forest management, the Forest Society consistently ranks among the nation’s top land trusts and has been a leader in setting the standard for American land protection.  If you enjoy working both independently and in a cooperative team-approach in a challenging, at times fast-paced, but always rewarding, setting you may be the right person for this position.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the dedicated Forest Society staff email a resume and cover letter by April 3rd to Andy Crowley, Land Steward Coordinator, acrowley@forestsociety.org (or mail a hard copy resume and cover letter to The Society for the Protection of NH Forests c/o: Andy Crowley) • 54 Portsmouth Street • Concord, NH 03301-5400. 

The Forest Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.   

No phone calls please.

 

Full Job Description

Reports to:   Andy Crowley, Land Steward Program Coordinator

Rate of Pay: $18-$20/hour

Nonexempt – Part time – Temporary
Position Summary:

This seasonal position will work to develop a Volunteer Trailhead Outreach Program (VTOP) to provide visitor outreach at Mount Major, one of the most visited mountains in New Hampshire. The Seasonal VTOP Coordinator will develop effective methods to educate and inform visitors to Mount Major about responsible use of the property and trails, and work with the Land Steward Program Coordinator to recruit, train and coordinate volunteers to assist in conducting this visitor outreach. The position will also monitor and evaluate recreational use and traffic patterns at Mount Major in order to better target outreach, and complete stewardship tasks at the trailhead, parking area and on trails as needed.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Engage visitors to Mount Major and determine most effective outreach messaging/strategies:

  • Promote Leave No Trace (LNT) principles using authority of the resource
  • Encourage compliance with visitor use guidelines (pack out all trash, pick up dog waste, stay on trails)
  • Provide information such as directions, suggested hiking routes, hiking time, safety and preparedness information, proper trash and dog waste disposal, etc.
  • Inform visitors of Forest Society and partner organizations’ role on mountain, and encourage visitor donations for stewardship

 

Assist with development of the Volunteer Trailhead Outreach Program (VTOP) and coordinate and supervise volunteers:

  • Recruit new VTOP volunteers from the hiking community via talking about the program at the trailhead
  • Assist Land Steward Coordinator in developing a training methodology and training new volunteers in messaging, how to conduct effective trailhead outreach
  • Coordinate schedules of VTOP volunteers to provide outreach coverage on busiest days/times
  • Correspond with volunteers via email and phone with questions/concerns, provide feedback and direction as needed
  • Ensure volunteers have materials and support needed for their duties
  • Maintain visitor engagement records, contacts, and create reports and contact lists for various user groups at Mount Major
  • Generate engaging content for Forest Society website and social media with images, videos, and stories from the mountain and community

        

Assist with Stewardship on Mount Major

  • Monitor and maintain cleanliness of trailhead and parking area
  • Pick up and dispose of trash and dog waste along trails, at summit, and in trailhead area
  • Monitor portable toilets to ensure they are in working order and communicate with toilet vendor if servicing is needed
  • Maintain kiosk and parking area signage and replace/revise as necessary
  • Maintain and clear drainages on trails and near parking area
  • Work collaboratively with Forest Society staff and volunteer trail groups on larger projects at Mount Major where applicable


Contributions/Outcomes:
This Mt Major Seasonal VTOP Coordinator informs and encourages visitors to recreate responsibly at Mount Major by following Leave No Trace (LNT) guidelines. This is accomplished by engaging with visitors in person, and recruiting and training other volunteers to do the same via development of a Volunteer Trailhead Outreach Program. The position coordinates and supervises volunteers, and assists in maintaining the parking area, trails, and infrastructure in good condition. The positon provides the opportunity to learn about and contribute to the work of a non-profit land conservation organization and to participate in public recreation management on one of the most visited mountains in New Hampshire.  The position will also help the Forest Society develop a community of support at Mount Major, through financial donations, volunteerism, membership, and engaged community members.

Qualifications and Skills Required:

  • Background in education, environmental stewardship, or outdoor recreation management
  • Minimum one year of experience working with and/or coordinating volunteers desirable. Other supervisory experience will be considered
  • Strong interest in conservation education and natural history
  • Knowledge of outdoor skills, hiking safety, and leave-no-trace best-practices
  • Excellent oral communications skills and experience with public speaking and/or outreach
  • Access to a computer for remote-work and corresponding with volunteers, Forest Society staff, vendors, and other community partners as needed
  • Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license
  • Wilderness first aid certifications are desirable but not required


Working Conditions:

  • This is a visitor outreach position. You will be working and engaging with the general public, Forest Society members, and volunteers on a daily basis.
  • Candidate will spend most days working in the trailhead parking area but will also have opportunities to hike the trails of Mount Major in Alton, New Hampshire.
  • This position requires work in all weather conditions and will work considerable weekend hours.
  • Somewhat flexible schedule of 25 – 30 hours per week, primarily covering busy times at Mount Major. Weekend work is required.
     

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to hike Mount Major (roughly 4 miles round trip, 1200’ elevation gain) potentially several times per week, carrying hand tools and a full backpack
  • Ability to work independently outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
  • Ability to use hand tools to perform trail work tasks and replace signs
  • Ability to erect and dismantle small pop up tent and table without assistance

 

Direct Reports:
This position may supervise volunteers (individually and in groups)