Mount Major Trail Steward

The nonprofit Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests seeks an enthusiastic individual for a part-time (10-20 hours per week), temporary (approximately 10-16 weeks) summer visitor outreach and trail stewardship position.  This position will be based at the Forest Society’s Mount Major Reservation in Alton, NH and is responsible for outreach to the recreating public and visitors to Mount Major.  The position will monitor the trailhead and parking area, doing basic maintenance (litter removal, drain cleaning, sign maintenance etc.) as well as assist Forest Society staff with larger projects and workdays at Mount Major.  

To apply, please email cover letter and resume by March 31, 2021 to: Rebecca Darman at rdarman@forestsociety.org.

Full Job Description:

Reports to: Reservation Stewardship & Engagement Director        Salary: $13/hour

Nonexempt /   Part time / Temporary

Position Summary: 

This seasonal position (10-16 weeks between Memorial Day and Columbus Day, with flexible start/end dates) provides visitor outreach and stewardship at Mount Major Reservation, primarily on fair weather summer days, weekends, and holidays. The position works to educate and inform hikers about responsible recreational use of the property and trails, and monitors and maintains trailhead, parking area, and infrastructure.  The Trail Steward will perform basic maintenance of trails on Mount Major Reservation, including removal of trash and cleaning debris from trail drainages.  Work will primarily be carried out independently, although the position will also assist Forest Society staff and volunteers on larger stewardship, outreach, and infrastructure projects at Mount Major. 

This Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Engage visitors to Mount Major
    • Encourage visitors to follow COVID-19 recreational use guidelines; explain rationale behind guidelines if necessary
    • Inform visitors of SPNHF and partner organizations’ role on mountain, current protection status of mountain, and future goals for the property
    • Promote Leave No Trace principles and responsible recreation
    • Provide assistance with directions, suggested hiking routes, hiking time, safety, preparedness, etc.
  • Monitoring and maintenance of parking area and infrastructure
    • Pick up and remove trash/waste
    • Ensure portable toilets are in good working order(serviced by 3rd party contractor)
    • Replace/maintain signage
    • Maintain/clean drainages
  • Monitoring and maintenance of trails on Mount Major (1-2 times/week)
    • Clear blowdowns/debris
    • Maintain drainages to keep water flowing off the trail
    • Refresh trail markings and rebuild official cairns where necessary
    • Remove trash & litter
  • Monitor visitor traffic via vehicular counts and interactions
  • Take photos and video of recreators at Mount Major (with permission); record stories and media for use on website, social media, and educational programs at Mount Major.
  • Assist Forest Society staff with larger stewardship and outreach initiatives at Mount Major
  • Coordinate schedule with second Mount Major Outreach Steward, with the goal of achieving maximum coverage on busy hiking days.
  • Collect donations from iron ranger when necessary
  • 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 willingness to work with diverse visitor groups
  • 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 protocol to minimize exposure to COVID-19, 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 workdays and events, and job shadowing.
  • Opportunities to help develop a volunteer trailhead outreach program with Forest Society staff.

Working Conditions:

  • Candidate will spend most days working in the parking/trailhead area, with regular hikes of trails to summit to check trail conditions, pick up trash, and interact with the public.
  • ~10-20 hours per week; days, evenings, and weekends May – October
  • This position requires work in varying environmental conditions.

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to hike Mount Major easily and potentially several times per day (roughly 4 miles round trip, 1200’ elevation gain)
  • 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 without assistance

Direct Reports: None