Southern New England Regional Trails Supervisor

Position:              Southern New England Regional Trails Supervisor

Location:              South Egremont, MA

Reports to:         Trails Volunteer Programs Manager

Summary Description:

The Southern New England Regional Trails Supervisor develops and sustains AMC's trails management programs primarily in central and western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut. The Trails Supervisor works closely with AMC’s Volunteer Appalachian Trail committees in Connecticut and Massachusetts, Appalachian Trail Conservancy staff, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, regional land trusts and other conservation organizations. This position oversees the Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner Program and the Southern New England Teen Trail Crew Program, and which help to further AMC’s Vision 2020 goals for expanding volunteerism and engaging more youth in the outdoors.

The Trails Supervisor is expected to be familiar with both traditional and contemporary trail maintenance and construction methods and backcountry recreation management techniques, possess excellent supervisory skills, be well versed with Leave No Trace practices, to serve as a trail resource for local organizations in developing new trail projects or trail maintenance programs, and to represent the AMC within the regional trails community.

In addition, this individual will continue to expand programming and develop new partnerships in the Berkshire and Pioneer Valley regions of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and other southern New England regions.

Primary Responsibilities - Programmatic:

Southern New England Teen Trail Crew and Custom Crews

• Manage AMC’s Southern New England Teen Trail Crew, a conservation and trail stewardship program for teens. Includes hiring, training, and supervising seasonal staff including Projects Coordinator, Trail Crew Leaders, and various support staff.  Coordinating with state agencies and committee volunteers for the assignment of trail projects, and promoting the program to recruit volunteer crew participants.
• Coordinate with all Trails Programs Supervisors to organize staff training, program development, and maintain organizational consistencies across AMC’s operating region.
• Coordinate with the AMC Trails Volunteer Programs Administrative Supervisor who manages registrations and communications for all AMC Teen Trail Crews which includes the processing and evaluation of registrations, handling of fees and the communication with participants and family members.
• Purchase and maintain all program related field gear, tools, and safety equipment
• Assist the Trails Volunteer Programs Manager in the development of program offerings, locations and rates.
• Provide enrollment/participant status updates to Trails Volunteer Programs Manager.
• Coordinate and deliver Custom Crew opportunities for regional groups, such as outing clubs, camp groups, and corporate groups.
  
  

Southern New England Ridgerunner Program

• Manage AMC’s Southern New England Ridgerunner Program including hiring, training, and supervising both full-time and weekend seasonal staff, reporting trail use data collection, and evaluating the program for annual improvements.
• Coordinate with the AMC Connecticut AT Committee on Ridgerunner trail projects, share trail use data, maintain data sharing documents, and other maintenance needs.
  
  

Coordination with Regional Trails Volunteers

• Support and assist the AMC’s Volunteer Appalachian Trail Committees in Connecticut and Massachusetts to:
  • Identify and plan priority trail and backcountry campsite projects
  • Maintain communication and coordination with trail management partners, including the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, National Park Service, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, local Search and Rescue, State Police, local town governments and emergency response crews
  • Seek funding for priority projects, or assist in writing grant applications and supporting materials.
  • Involve the Committees in major program policies and procedures.
• Organize and occasionally lead skills trainings for trail volunteers throughout CT and MA.
• Assist AMC’s Berkshire Chapter, as needed, with trail assessment and volunteer trail maintenance efforts in other locations, such as AMC’s Noble View Outdoor Center based in Russell, MA and the New England National Scenic Trail

Primary Responsibilities - General:

• Play a key role in the reduction of risk to participants and staff by ensuring critical program policies and guidelines are followed, as well as reviewing policies as needed. Manage Workers Comp. cases, as needed.
• Be on-call for emergencies during field season, late May through mid-September.
• Identify and build partnerships for new opportunities in the Berkshire region.
• Work with the Trails Volunteer Program Manager and Trails Programs Supervisors to define annual schedule and strategic priorities for the regional trails programs.
• Manage program expenses. Responsible for tracking of credit card expenses and material and service contracts and purchases.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for programming and facility needs at the Kellogg Conservation Center in S. Egremont, where the position is located.
• Collect reports and hours from all Southern New England Trails Programs and compiles annual reports of participant enrollment, work hours and accomplishments, including reports for the ATC and other partners.
• Manage and oversee use and maintenance of vehicle fleet
• Assist AMC Grants Department on submission of various grants for Southern New England Trails Programs, including Recreational Trails Program grants and other funding sources.
• Work closely with AMC Conservation Policy staff on local and regional initiatives. May serve as primary contact on local environmental issues and initiatives.
• Occasionally serve as a co-leader for AMC Leave No Trace Master Educator Courses, and Leave No Trace Trainer Courses.
• Serve as a member of AMC’s Risk Management Team and Massachusetts Recreational Trails Advisory Board.
• Hire and oversee professional trail crews for projects as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of 2-4 years of trail maintenance and construction, natural resource management, and outdoor programming, with previous supervisory and leadership experience. Experience can be in any combination of staff or volunteer roles.
• Bachelor’s degree with studies in Recreation, Natural Resources Management or other relevant disciplines is desirable.
• Proven successful supervisory ability of seasonal employees.
• Proven leadership abilities.
• Familiarity with Leave No Trace principles, with an interest to learn more.
• Possess, or be willing to obtain, a minimum of Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
• Ability to independently manage an office, including, but not limited to, ability to operate and maintain standard office equipment, purchase and manage office supplies, maintain cleaning schedule for office, and act as regional source of information to various callers.
• Ability to manage multiple programs and tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work constructively with volunteers to support and build capacity for their efforts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to find creative solutions.
• Ability work both independently and to collaborate with others.
• Possess the ability to serve as an ambassador outside of the trails community to engage in partnership efforts on a local and regional level. 
• Willingness to travel primarily within central and western Massachusetts and Connecticut and occasionally to other locations in the Northeast. 
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving history subject to a driving record check conducted by the AMC.
• Physical ability to travel safely on foot in all weather conditions on unimproved trails carrying up to 40 lbs of gear.  Ability to perform and teach a variety of trail work activities.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment.
• The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal record check performed on their name.

To Apply:

The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger.  The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.

Please include your resume and a cover letter when applying.   The information should include three (3) professional references and your salary requirements.  No phone calls, please.

The AMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace. The AMC encourages the involvement of all people in its mission and activities, through its membership, programs, policies, and procedures. Our goal is to be a community that is comfortable, inviting, and accessible for people of any age, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.  Join us!