Mount Major Trail Steward

Position Announcement: Mount Major Trail Steward

The non-profit Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests seeks an enthusiastic and motivated individual for the position of Mount Major Trail Steward. The successful candidate will have excellent communications skills and a strong interest in educating the public about the responsible use of property and trail systems.

This is a part-time seasonal position based on Mount Major.  The Mount Major Intern will work at the parking area, and hiking trials, to educate and encourage the public to recreate responsibly, plan and lead guided hikes and contribute to the SPNHF website and social media content. 

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’re interested in becoming a member of the dedicated Forest Society staff email a resume and cover letter by April 15th, 2019 to Carrie Deegan, Volunteer & Community Engagement Manger (or mail a hard copy resume and cover letter to The Society for the Protection of NH Forests c/o: Carrie Deegan) • 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:     Carrie Deegan, Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager                  

        Salary Range: $12 per hour

       Nonexempt  Part time  Temporary 

        Position Summary:

        This seasonal internship provides visitor outreach and stewardship at Mount Major. It works to educate and inform hikers about responsible use of the property and trails, monitors and evaluates recreational traffic and maintains trails and infrastructure.  Interns will have the opportunity to develop their own visitor use survey, plan and lead guided hikes, contribute to outreach media (website, social media) and participate in staff meetings and events.  This position is open to current post-secondary students but also non-students.  Adults of all ages with required qualifications and skills are encouraged to apply.

        Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Participate in Leave No Trace (LNT) Hotspot Activation Week (June 17-24) at Mount Major
    • Attend LNT Communications Training
    • Practice providing outreach to visitors re: LNT principles
    • Participate in Service Projects (trash clean up, trail work)
  • Engage visitors to Mount Major
    • Inform visitors of SPNHF and partner organizations’ role on mountain, current protection status of mountain
    • Promote Leave No Trace principles/CarryIN-CarryOUT
    • Encourage compliance with visitor use guidelines
    • Provide assistance with directions, suggested hiking routes, hiking time, safety, preparedness, etc.
    • Promote NH Forest Explorer experiences on Mt Major
  • Monitoring and maintenance of parking area and infrastructure
    • Pick up and remove trash/waste
    • Ensure portable toilets are in good working order
    • Replace/maintain signage
    • Maintain/clean drainages
  • Monitoring and maintenance of trails on Mount Major
    • Clear blowdowns/debris
    • Maintain/create drainages
    • Refresh trail markings and rebuild cairns where necessary
    • Remove trash
    • Work collaboratively with SPNHF staff, and volunteer trail groups on larger projects where applicable
  • Develop and implement visitor survey to better characterize hiker experience
  • Plan and lead guided hikes for public
  • Contribute to SPNHF website and social media content with images, videos, and stories
  • Other duties as assigned

        Contributions/Outcomes:

This position educates and encourages the public to recreate responsibly at Mount Major, and assists in maintaining the parking area, trails and infrastructure in good condition.  The internship also provides the intern with opportunities 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. 

        Qualifications and Skills Required:

  • Background in recreation management, environmental education, natural resource management, law enforcement or other related field
  • Self- motivated individual with an outgoing and friendly personality, strong public communication skills, and outdoor skills.
  • Exhibits good judgment, self-confidence, cool headedness and common sense
  • Previous experience with trail maintenance desireable
  • Valid Driver’s License, reliable transportation, and a working cell phone

        Opportunities for Educational Growth:

  • Intern will receive training in visitor outreach, Leave No Trace principles, and trails maintenance techniques
  • Will develop collaborative working and problem solving skills interacting with public, other staff, and volunteers
  • Will have opportunities to see how one of the nation’s leading land trusts operates, through participation in staff meetings and events, and job shadowing.   

        Working Conditions:

  • Candidate will spend most days working in the parking area and hiking the trails of Mount Major
  • ~20 hours per week; days, evenings, and weekends May – September
  • This position requires work in all weather conditions

        Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to hike Mount Major (roughly 4 miles round trip, 1200’ elevation gain) easily and potential several times per day
  • Ability to work independently outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
  • Ability to use hand tools to perform trail work tasks
  • Ability to erect and dismantle small pop up tent and table on own